Our Mission: We create, perform, teach and promote dance as an
essential and inspiring element of our community.
Culture: Everything we do at Nashville Ballet we do in furtherance of our mission. It is why we
exist. Our Vision for 2020 is that Nashville Ballet will be recognized internationally as an
artistically excellent center of dance that is innovative, influential and financially strong. Every
employee at Nashville Ballet is in the unique position to live, impact and lead our culture.
Our Enduring Values
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We believe in the transformative power of art.
We inspire appreciation for the art of ballet.
We strive for excellence with integrity in all we do.
We respect one another and the art form.
The understanding of and the ability to not only support but celebrate our culture is essential to
each and every person at Nashville Ballet.
Job Description for Managing Director & COO
Reports To:
Artistic Director & CEO
Area of Responsibility: Overall organizational fiscal and personnel management
Wage Classification: Non- Exempt
Position Summary:
The Managing Director & COO is a leader, with exceptional executive arts administration
experience, who oversees the financial, personnel and organizational health and sustainability
of Nashville Ballet. The Managing Director & COO is responsible for comprehensively
supporting Nashville Ballet’s Artistic Director & CEO, and lead the organization in the
management and operations of the company and School of the Nashville Ballet, the support of
artistic and educational productions and programs, and the furthering of the ballet’s long-term
strategic objectives. The Managing Director & COO will be a “face” of the institution in the
Nashville and global community, implementer of the Artistic Director’s vision, an effective
fundraiser, and an excellent communicator and listener both in and outside the institution.
Essential Functions and Competencies:
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Administration and leadership of overall ballet operations including management of
daily operations and development of policy and program objectives in coordination with
the Artistic Director & CEO and Board consideration.
Fiscal management of the organization, including the development and implementation
of an annual budget in collaboration with the Artistic Director & CEO and the
development and implementation of strategies to effectiveley manage costs and
increase revenues.
Responsible for the execution and supervision of all marketing and audience
development activities of Nashville Ballet.
Oversee and be responsible for the supervision of all development and fundraising goals
and efforts, including, but not limited to, all corporate, individual, and foundation
fundraising campaigns, grant opportunities and all fundraising events.
With direction from the Artistic Director & CEO, provides data, research, information
and recommendations to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Board Committee
in the creation of policies, programs and strategic direction of the organization.
Acting as an ex-officio member of the board, supports all activities determined by Board
of Directors, and assisting in board meeting coordination, scheduling, location,
development of agenda and meeting materials. Assists in the formation of board
committees including participation and attendance where appropriate.
Represent Nashville Ballet at functions and professional conferences as appropriate to
maintain Nashville Ballet’s profile in local, regional, national and global communites;
identify opportunities to collaborate, support and receive support from other
businesses, government agencies and organizations.
Leadership of direct reports in the development and implementation of short and longrange plans, policies and other activities established in coordination with Artistic
Director & CEO and Board of Directors.
Management of direct reports, including interviewing, making recommendations for
hiring, training, planning, delegating and supervising work; scheduling; appraising
performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and
resolving problems.
In collaboration with Artistic Director and Board, ensures compliance with legal and
other regulatory requirements; and implements appropriate control systems as
required.
General Responsibilities:
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Supports Artistic Director & CEO in day-to-day and strategic operations.
Provides overall leadership and management of Nashville Ballet budget, staff, and
volunteers and board services culture.
Abilities:
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Strategic Vision and Agility – ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences
and trends, and incorporate them into organizational management and planning.
Capacity Building – ability to effectively build organization and staff capacity, developing
a top-notch workforce and the processes for organizational efficiencies.
Leadership and Organization – exceptional capacity for managing and leading people; a
team builder who has experience in scaling up organizations; ability to create effective
staff communications both individually and throughout the organization; capacity to
enforce accountability; to empower and develop leaders from the bottom up, lead from
the top down, cultivate entrepreneurship, and learn the strengths and weaknesses of
the team so as to put people in the position to succeed.
Action Oriented – enjoys working hard and looks for challenges; able to act and react as
necessary, even if limited information is available; not afraid to take charge of a
situation; can overcome resistance to leadership and take unpopular stands when
necessary.
General Management – thorough understanding of finance systems, and HR; broad
experience with the full range of business functions and systems, including strategic
development and planning, budgeting, business analysis, finance, information systems,
human resources and marketing.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are a non-exhaustive list of those that
must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to handle, feel, talk
and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms
above the shoulder. The employee is frequently required to sit and occasionally stoop, kneel,
crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and
occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative to
those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is
usually low to moderate.
Work Requirements and Qualifications
1. Education: Masters Degree is preferred or Bachelor’s Degree with commensurate
experience.
2. Experience: Executive leadership arts administration experience from similarly sized
institution. Five years or more of demonstrated, increased management responsibility.
3. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
 Excellent communicator
 Effective partnership and leadership skills
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Problem solver
Fundraising and HR leadership
Mentor with grace, candor and passion
To Apply:
To be considered for the position, please email the items below in one PDF-formatted file with
your name as the filename, i.e. JohnSmith.pdf, to search@nashvilleballet.com. Include
“Managing Director & COO” as the email’s subject line.
1. A substantive cover letter including the following information:
a. where you found the position listed,
b. your interest in the position and the organization,
c. the date you are available to start, and
d. contact information for three professional references.
2. A résumé no longer than two (2) pages outlining your educational and professional
experience.
Incomplete submissions will not be considered nor will submissions sent via postal mail or fax.
No calls please. Thank you!
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review our website at
www.nashvilleballet.com prior to submitting materials for consideration