Executive Director, Camille A. Brown & Dancers

BACKGROUND

Founded by prolific choreographer and Artistic Director Camille
A. Brown, and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2017, Camille A. Brown
& Dancers (CABD) is a Bessie award-winning, NYC-based
performing arts organization. Committed to implementing and
advancing Camille A. Brown’s artistic vision, CABD creates and
presents performances, offers dance engagement activities through
its Every Body Move program, and investigates historical and
contemporary cultural, personal, and social justice issues through
the art of dance theater and other performing art mediums. Its
mission is to provide a multi-faceted platform for sharing and
building an understanding of and appreciation for the African
American experience by fostering interaction and dialogue among
diverse communities within its NYC hometown, across the country,
and globally.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director (ED) is a vital member of CABD’s
three-member Executive Leadership Team, which is led by the Founder
& Artistic Director (AD) and includes the Director of Artistic
Planning & Producing (DAPP). The ED oversees administrative
departments and day-to-day administrative operations, including
Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Development, Communications,
and Board Governance. The DAPP oversees artistic departments and
day-to-day artistic operations, serving as the AD’s proxy in this
regard. The ED and DAPP partner closely and regularly connect with
the AD to advance the organization in an aligned manner.

The ED is responsible for the administrative leadership and
skillful management of CABD with a focus on organizational culture,
team management, fundraising, and oversight of the operating budget
(currently $1.8M). This position calls for a highly collaborative,
organized, and motivated leader who is excited to co-develop and
implement a holistic vision for CABD’s future, given the
organization’s recent, notable growth and the opportunity created
by the breadth of Camille A. Brown’s artistic projects outside of
the nonprofit dance world. The ED will be encouraged to build upon
CABD’s existing foundation, with the freedom to evolve systems,
practices, and priorities in partnership with the staff. It’s also
anticipated that CABD will engage in a strategic planning process
in the near future, which the ED will help spearhead.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

Collaborates with the Executive
Leadership Team (AD, ED, DAPP) and Board of Directors to identify
and achieve organizational goals
In partnership with the DAPP, centers
and advocates for the AD’s vision across organizational
decision-making, priorities, and practices—both internally and
externally
Serves as the administrative leader
on the Executive Leadership Team, with final say and oversight of
matters related to the operating budget and all administrative
departments and activities
In partnership with the Board Chair,
manages Board relations, meetings, and giving, further advancing
Board development, recruitment, onboarding, and active
participation
Engages in weekly meetings with the
DAPP and regular meetings with the Executive Leadership Team
(including the AD) to uphold communication and aligned
leadership
Helps spearhead an upcoming,
anticipated strategic planning process in partnership with the
Board, Executive Leadership Team, staff, and an external
Consultant

Organizational Culture & Human Resources
Leadership

Provides strong, effective, positive,
and empathetic leadership for CABD staff
Promotes a healthy organizational
culture where cross-functional collaboration, transparency, and
staff contributions are valued
Models high standards of performance,
teamwork, and collegiality, and holds staff responsible for
maintaining these standards
Supervises all budget-related
decisions, including those posed by the AD and DAPP
Supervises and, as needed, recruits
an administrative team appropriate for the needs of the
organization; currently this team includes three (3) full-time
staff (Director of Finance & Operations, Director of Community
Engagement & Education, & Development Officer) and three
(3) part-time staff (Social Media Coordinator, Community Engagement
Program Associate, & Administrative Associate)
Supports staff in their careers,
ensuring that they are provided with regular feedback,
opportunities for professional development, and clarity on
professional growth at CABD
Oversees and implements HR activities
including approving payroll, coordinating employee benefits,
issuing employee contracts, and developing policies and
procedures
Builds upon, formalizes, and
streamlines personnel management and HR practices
Supports the DAPP in the negotiation
and development of artistic contracts, as needed

Financial & Operational Leadership

Fiscally manages the organization,
developing and leading the annual operating budget and overseeing
the annual audit, organizational investments, and cash
reserves
Partners with the Board Finance
Committee, and full Board, on organizational financial oversight
and monitoring, providing timely updates, reports, and
recommendations
Identifies earned/contributed revenue
opportunities and engages staff to advance them
Codifies operational policies and
procedures, evaluating and improving them with the goal of
increasing clarity, efficiency, and equity
Oversees the Community Engagement
& Education Program (Every Body Move), advising and
facilitating activities as the department needs
Supports the AD and DAPP with various
artistic projects and programs, as needed

Development & Communications Leadership

Leads the efforts to generate
contributed revenue (currently ~$1.3M) by developing, overseeing,
and supporting the implementation of the annual fundraising
strategy
Serves as the organization’s
frontline fundraiser and organizational relationship-builder,
soliciting gifts, developing grants, cultivating relationships, and
identifying opportunities
Edits and approves grant proposals,
budgets, and reports and, at times, develops these materials
independently
Creates and implements an individual
giving and major gifts program above and beyond the annual
appeal
Activates, guides, and prepares the
Board as ‘friendraisers’ and fundraisers
Partners with the DAPP and staff on
cultivation/special event strategy and oversight
Supervises grant compliance,
supporter recognition, gift documentation and acknowledgement,
prospect research, and supporter stewardship
Develops copy for programs,
e-newsletters, appeals, invitations, ads, brochures, and other
marketing collateral, as needed, and/or edits and approves
staff-developed copy
Partners with the Executive
Leadership Team, CABD press agent, and theater PR team on all
external announcements, press releases, and pitches

 

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

As a Black, female-led organization, CABD is committed to
building inclusive teams that reflect the diversity of its work and
community. The qualifications denoted below are ideal. Individuals
who don’t meet 100% of these ideal qualifications, but have
transferable skills or experience, are strongly encouraged to
apply.

Ability and willingness to lead
within a collaborative leadership environment, working in
partnership with the DAPP and centering the vision of the Founder
& Artistic Director
Demonstrated commitment to the
complexities of the BIPOC experience, working toward inclusion and
shaping an equitable and inspiring work environment
Experience in and understanding of
the nonprofit dance sector; additional performing arts (nonprofit
theater, commercial theater, opera, etc.) experience is highly
preferred
Significant nonprofit fundraising
experience, from gift strategy to close, across the areas of
grants/institutional giving, individual/major giving, and special
events
Experience managing and/or leading
Human Resources, with a focus on personnel management and HR
equitable practice and policy development
Executive management experience with
significant external and internal responsibilities
Proven financial acumen at a
program/departmental or, ideally, organizational level
Clear understanding of Board
Governance and Board development strategies
Comfort building and cultivating
strong, trusting relationships internally and externally
Track record of developing teams with
collaboration and transparency at the helm
Experience strategically navigating
an organization/department/program through a stage of growth,
inflection point, or formal strategic planning process is a
plus
Relevant educational background or
equivalent work experience is required; a degree in a relevant
field (e.g., business administration, nonprofit management, etc.)
is a plus

 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $95,000 – $105,000,
commensurate with experience. Health insurance (medical, dental,
and vision) and generous PTO are offered, including 4 weeks of
vacation, 20.5 paid holidays (inclusive of a week-long
organization-wide break), 4 personal days/floating holidays, and 5
sick days. CABD has also intentionally made this role a remote
position, with select in-person activities expected, to allow for
greater flexibility.

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To be considered, please submit your application electronically
as one (1) PDF document to jobs@camilleabrown.org with
“Executive Director” in the subject line. Applications are
requested by or before Monday, April 15 and will
be reviewed in the order received. 

Applications should include: a resume, a cover letter
highlighting your interest and qualifications, and at least three
(3) professional references. 

All applications will be treated as confidential, and references
will not be contacted without the candidate’s advance knowledge and
agreement. Incomplete submissions will not be considered nor will
submissions that are sent via postal mail, fax, or phone. 

 

CABD, INC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, age, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the status of
being transgender, marital status, veteran status, or any other
characteristic protected by law. CABD, INC. is further committed to
providing reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities. If
accommodations are desired or needed throughout the application
and/or hiring process, please contact jobs@camilleabrown.org.