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Elizabeth Gaither and Jared Nelson by Carol Pratt

Auditions/Employment

The Washington Ballet is a diverse family of individuals committed to creating the most dynamic dance organization in the nation. We welcome artists, administrators, interns and volunteers to aid in this effort. All available positions are listed below.

Auditions

TWB auditions are intended for classically trained dancers with performance experience with a professional company or school. All dancers must bring a completed registration form, résumé, dance photo and a $20 registration fee to the audition.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the registration form.

Upcoming Auditions:
New York City
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Ailey Studios
405 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
12-1 Registration
1-3:30 Audition

Washington, DC
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Washington Ballet
3515 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016
1-2 Registration
2-4:30 Audition

San Francisco, CA
TBD

Employment

The Washington Ballet values diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Current Openings:

Director of Development

Department: Development
Reports to: Executive Director

The Washington Ballet requires a Director of Development (DOD) who will lead its fundraising programs and advancement efforts to new heights. The DOD provides leadership and management to all fundraising and development-related activities for the Ballet, seeking support for its professional company, its internationally renowned Washington School of Ballet, and its award-winning community engagement programs. With a five-person development department, the DOD oversees a comprehensive fundraising program, including a $4 million annual fund, and emerging scholarship program, and a robust slate of special events in support of the Ballet’s mission.

The Director of Development is responsible for securing contributed revenue from individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and special events. In addition, the DOD coordinates an on-going planned giving/scholarship endowment campaign for the Ballet; managing the involvement of high-level volunteers and board members.

The DOD serves as a key partner to the Executive Director and the Artistic Director in setting a strategic direction, vision, and management of the Ballet's overall institutional fundraising efforts.

Specific responsibilities include:

Development Program Planning/Management
The Ballet must ensure a growing and dynamic fundraising effort each fiscal year. The Director of Development is responsible for identifying the means to grow the Ballet’s philanthropic efforts. To that end, the DOD:

  • Creates and implements annual fundraising plans to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors for the Ballet’s annual fund and special restricted fundraising campaigns;
  • Oversees a comprehensive development operations system, including the management of the Ballet’s donor database and a functioning contact management system (currently Raiser’s Edge), as well as ensuring prompt donor acknowledgement of all contributions and a sophisticated stewardship program to ensure donor retention;
  • Oversees the production of all fundraising collateral, including direct mail solicitations (five annually), special event invitations and specialized fundraising presentations;
  • Collaborates with the Executive Director and the Artistic Director in the development and implementation of a long-range plan and strategy for fundraising;
  • Oversees special events for the Ballet including an annual gala, various events for the Ballet’s support groups, donor cultivation events, special fundraising events, donor recognition activity and other regular fundraising functions;
  • Coordinates the development of all institutional policies, procedures and standards for fundraising, including, but not limited to, gift acceptance policies, giving levels, etc., for recommendation to the Executive Director;
  • Develops with the Executive Director the annual Development Department revenue and expense budget;
  • Develops other departmental operating reports and documents as needed.

Major Gifts
The position of Director of Development is a “hands on” position at the Ballet. In addition to overall program management, the DOD:

  • Maintains a personal portfolio of 75-100 prospects across institutional and individual giving programs;
  • Ensures continuing prospect development for major gifts.

Collaboration in External Relations
The Ballet strives to ensure that the relationships with its core stakeholders are unified and that multiple conflicting messages do not come from various Ballet departments. To that end, the Director of Development:

  • With the Co-Directors of Marketing and Communications, co-leads an internal working group comprised of members of the two departments to ensure a customer service focus with all stakeholders;
  • With the Marketing and Communications Department, works to create a focused message to donors through coordinated fundraising/marketing materials helping to ensure implementation of the Ballet’s brand platform;
  • Promotes the Ballet through contacts with area chambers of commerce, civic clubs and professional organizations including developing speaking engagement opportunities for Ballet leadership.

Staff Management
The Director of Development oversees a dynamic team of development professionals and is a significant factor in ensuring staff motivation and morale within the department. Current positions include:

  • Assistant Director of Development for Institutional Giving
  • Assistant Director of Development for Individual Giving (currently vacant)
  • Manager of Development Operations
  • Manager of Special Events, Volunteers and Stewardship

Volunteer Management
As a member of the Ballet’s senior management team, the DOD comes into frequent contact with TWB’s governing Board of Director, two primary volunteer auxiliary groups, and active project and office volunteers. The DOD:

  • Serves as primary staff liaison to the Board’s Development Committee;
  • Attends meetings of the Board’s Marketing Committee;
  • Oversees the projects of The Washington Ballet Women’s Committee and Jete Society;
  • Works with various special ad hoc volunteer committees involved in specific project fundraising for the Ballet, including, but not limited to, the Scholarship Committee.

General
The Director of Development, as is the case with all Senior Staff, is an advocate for The Washington Ballet in all dealings with the public, at social events, and in general. The DOD must:

  • Support the philosophy and mission of The Washington Ballet;
  • Be a strong advocate for the Ballet in the community.

In addition, the DOD must have a willingness to “pitch in” and be available for any and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Must be able to foster team work environment with strong cooperative atmosphere
  • Ability to motivate others to work together toward a common goal
  • Ability to keep morale high and generate enthusiasm
  • Ability to solicit major gifts directly
  • Direct work experience with governing boards in the area of fundraising
  • Direct work experience in organizing governing board direct fundraising efforts
  • Excellent organizational, analytical, and planning skills
  • Excellent writing, editing, and public speaking skills
  • Ability to build consensus among diverse groups for the overall success of the organization and the project
  • Impeccable judgment and integrity
  • Must be able to manage confidential information
  • A strong public service orientation to work well with Board leadership, executive staff, School leadership, School faculty, staff, artists, and the community
  • Must be able to conceptualize promotional documents and website fundraising operations for maximum impact and effectiveness
  • Must be able to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments
  • Strong computer skills
  • Budget management skills
  • Ability to work with a diverse team in a fast-paced and event heavy environment

Physical Demands and Work Environment

  • Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment
  • Very limited physical effort required; however, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds
  • No or very limited exposure to physical risk
  • Some travel may be required

Minimum Position Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Five years of full time, progressively responsible fundraising experience, including three years of major gift ($25,000 and above) fundraising experience
  • Demonstrated success and evidence of ability to plan and execute a fund drive
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Demonstrated supervision of professional level staff with leadership, management, and administrative skills that motivate and build professional support staff competencies
  • Strong communication skills including ability to write and speak persuasively about the institution
  • Familiarity with contact management systems
  • Willingness to work evenings and weekends and to travel
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and personal means of transportation

Preferred qualifications:

  • Advanced degree
  • Demonstrated contacts in the corporate world and in business-related fields in D.C., the region, and nationally
  • Demonstrated contacts in the foundation community
  • Demonstrated knowledge of planned giving
  • Experience working with the performing arts
  • Demonstrated success in activities to coordinate, attract, and close major gift funding support for a large non-profit organization, including face-to-face solicitation of gifts of $100,000 or more
  • Demonstrated senior leadership with strategic, policy, and budget planning experience in complex organizations

Interested parties should send a cover letter to:
Russell P. Allen
Executive Director
rallen@washingtonballet.org
(email only please)

Sugar Plum Shoppe Manager

Department: Marketing

Overview:

Through its Sugar Plum Shoppe, TWB sells institutional branding items as well as seasonal merchandise surrounding its annual production of The Nutcracker. The Shoppe is open for business at all Nutcracker performances, The Nutcracker Tea, and TWB’s annual Open House. Shoppe Manager is responsible for managing all Shoppe operations for these events. TWB will provide said manager with an inventory sheet, tools to maintain the Shoppe, merchandise, and expense coverage and general oversight.

Shoppe Manager Responsibilities:

  • Manage Shoppe at all 2010 Nutcracker performances at THEARC (November 27 & 28, 2010) and the Warner Theatre (December 2-26, 2010), TWB’s 2010 Open House at the TWB Studios in September 2010 from 1-5pm (Manager must arrive early for set up; Limited inventory on sale and date TBD), and TWB’s Nutcracker Tea Party at the Willard Hotel on December 12, 2010, following the 1PM performance (Manager must arrive early for set up; Limited inventory on sale).
  • Transport all inventory to and from various theaters and locations listed above.
  • Coordinate all Shoppe volunteers
  • Track inventory, and take final inventory upon closing of Shoppe.
  • Transport remaining inventory to TWB’s warehouse, post production.

Compensation information available upon request.

Interested parties should contact Laura Nunneker, TWB Co-Director of Marketing & Communications at lnunneker@washingtonballet.org by August 15, 2010.

Internships

The Washington Ballet provides internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in arts administration. Our unpaid internships are offered throughout the calendar year and allow students to receive academic credit during their tenure at The Washington Ballet. Please check back for updated internship listings.

Arts Education and Community Engagement Intern

The Washington Ballet is offering a Summer 2010 internship that supports the Ballet's education efforts in the following areas: curriculum development, research, database management, school management, teaching assistance, and special projects.  This internship works closely with the Summer Dance Intensive scheduled for June 28 through July 23, 2010.

Preferred Skills: Highly competitive applicants will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, a strong interest in education and the performing arts, community development and must have experience with Microsoft Office Suite. Previous experience in one or more of the aforementioned areas is a plus. The Washington Ballet is willing to work with the intern schedule to accommodate interests and availability.

Compensation: Great experience working for the nation’s tenth largest ballet company. Hands on experience working with children, parents, community members and building partners. Possible graduate credit if University allows. Free adult dance classes. Travel stipend available upon request.

To apply please send a resume and cover letter to Katrina Toews, Director of The Washington Ballet @ THEARC at ktoews@washingtonballet.org.  Deadline is March 15, 2010.

Marketing and Communications Intern

The Washington Ballet is offering a Fall 2010 internship that supports the Ballet's marketing and communications efforts in the following areas: direct mail operations, ticketing and customer service, database management, archive press kits, special projects, prospect research, and copy writing.

Please inquire about availability by contacting Alyssa Porambo at aporambo@washingtonballet.org.

Preferred Skills: Highly competitive applicants will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, a strong interest in the performing arts, and must have experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook.

Compensation: Great experience working for the nation’s tenth largest ballet company and the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. Possible graduate credit if University allows. Free Adult Dance classes.


Development Intern

The Washington Ballet is offering a Summer 2010 internship that supports the Ballet's development efforts in the following areas: gift acknowledgement, grant research, in-kind donation solicitation, special projects, and filing.

Preferred Skills: Highly competitive applicants will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, and an interest in the performing arts.

Compensation: Great experience working for the nation’s tenth largest ballet company and the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. Possible graduate credit if University allows. Free Adult Dance classes.

Please inquire about availability by contacting Jessica Malcom at jmalcom@washingtonballet.org.