Executive Director

ABOUT ACDA

The American College Dance Association (ACDA) exists to support and affirm dance in higher
education through regional conferences, the adjudication process, and national festivals. The
educational mission of the Association is to foster creative potential, to honor multiple
approaches to scholarly and creative research and activity, to promote excellence in
choreography and/or performance, and to give presence and value to diversity in dance. The
Association acts as a national membership service organization to strengthen the educational
network for students and faculty within the academic dance community.

ACDA operates with two full-time staff positions, an Executive Director and an Operations and
Programs Manager. Learn more about ACDA at https://www.acda.dance/

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director serves as the administrative leader and chief consultant for a wide
network of collaborators who, together, produce dance conferences, festivals, and virtual
programs and events nationally and throughout the geographic regions of ACDA. Providing
ethical, strategic, transparent, and values-centered direction, ACDA’s Executive Director is both
an executive leader and a colleague to the 59-person Board of Directors. Serving as a hands-on,
operational leader responsible for helping to set organizational priorities, the Executive Director
will enable ACDA to achieve its short and long-term financial, programmatic, and strategic
goals.

The Executive Director will be responsible for guiding the next phase of growth and innovation
for the Association, and as such have the skills and ability to innovate successful fundraising
models and structures. A proven leader with business and academic dance acumen, they will
expand revenue while advocating for dance in higher education. They will possess the technical
skills necessary for event planning and execution. The Executive Director will be an informed
and engaging speaker and collaborator, as well as a transparent decision maker who possesses
the commitment and experience to effectively address and reflect equity and justice within the
Association and externally for our members and the dance community at large. They will
understand the role of higher education in fulfilling the potential for dance to connect, engage,
and transform individuals and communities alike. They will cultivate deep connections leading
to the growth of ACDA’s membership.

The ACDA office is currently based in the Washington, D.C. area, but ACDA is open to
considering an alternative geographic location. The Executive Director will work with and
oversee a full-time staff of one additional employee.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Values-Centered Leadership
● Embody ACDA’s mission and core values (read more about our core values here) in
prioritizing strategic initiatives, working collaboratively with the Board, staff, program
hosts and community members to facilitate collective goals and the success of the
Association and the individuals within it.
● Foster an authentic and welcoming work environment that encourages an inclusive
atmosphere of collaboration, trust, transparency, and shared vision, staff accountability
and evaluation, and staff satisfaction.
● Exemplify ACDA’s stalwart commitment to anti-racist values and principles, aspiring to
institutional multiculturalism and promoting practices that ensure ACDA becomes a
more inclusive and equitable organization
● Display the dexterity to address difficult and sensitive issues while demonstrating
respect and fostering fair, positive, and productive relationships both internally and
externally.

Revenue Expansion
● Develop and implement strategies to significantly increase revenue streams and build
adequate reserve funds that ensure the Association’s sustainability.
● Create, implement, and drive the Association’s fundraising efforts, collaborating with
the Board and staff to support critical initiatives, development, and management of
annual giving priorities (foundations, sponsorships, and individuals), major gifts, and
planned giving campaigns.
● Assist with the grant writing process, including writing, editing, and managing drafts.
● Increase philanthropic support of key stakeholders.

Program Management
● Preside over Association programming, assuming responsibility for the actualization of
all programming components while collaborating with program hosts and committees.
● Develop partnerships with outside organizations as beneficial to the Association.
● Coordinate all components of ACDA program and event management including initial
development, execution, and evaluation.
● Research and contract event and other programming technology (website, online
registration, mobile apps).

Managerial Accounting, Fiscal Planning, and Reporting
● Oversee all components of the organization’s fiscal management, including but not
limited to: development of annual budget; analysis of quarterly reports; presentation of
financial reports to the Board; articulation of financial goals and projections.
● Oversee compliance requirements to maintain and protect nonprofit status, including all
city, state, and federal filings (taxes, licenses, 990s, etc.)
● Ensure compliance with all funding and business-related requirements (e.g., insurance
renewal, etc.) and reporting.

Organizational Operations
● Oversee the Association’s administrative functions and day-to-day operations while
ensuring commitment to key priorities.
● Advise, collaborate, and interface with the Board, in addition to keeping them informed
of developments regarding the organization and membership.
● Manage human resources processes, including, but not limited to, hiring, payroll
(benefits, taxes), requisite documentation, and document retention.
● Create, update, and distribute documents/guides/manuals/newsletters.
● Confer, advise, guide, and support in the planning processes of ACDA programming
including, but not limited to regional conferences, national festivals, and virtual
programming to ensure success.
● Locate, negotiate lease, and maintain physical office as needed.
● Attend ACDA programming and events, with expected travel 3-4 times per year.
● Oversee the system for developing and maintaining archival materials.
● Liaise with other dance education and service-based organizations.

Marketing and Communications
● Develop effective marketing plans/strategies and social media practices.
● Oversee the design, development, and production of all marketing and communications
materials.
● Curate the Association’s public presence through website updates and social media
activity.

Empowering Board Governance
● In collaboration with the Board of Directors, actively participate in creating policies,
setting direction, regularly reviewing programs of the Association for consistency with
the mission and core values, and developing and recommending new initiatives and
programming to the Board for consideration.
● Support the Board in its duties and responsibilities including conference support,
policymaking, fundraising, governance, and community ambassadorship.
● Provide regular communication, information, and strategic updates to the Board to
enable all members to exercise their full governance and service potential.
● In collaboration with the Board of Directors, prep for board meetings.
● Assist with the recruitment and onboarding of Board members.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required:
● Relevant Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
● Demonstrated strategic fundraising abilities and experience with donor relations unique
to the not-for-profit sector.
● History of leadership and established networks in dance, performing arts, arts
administration and/or not-for-profit leadership.
● Strong financial literacy and budget management skills.
● Strong organizational and project/event management skills including planning,
delegating, facilitation, and assessment.
● Outstanding communication, writing, and editing skills.
● Strong problem solving, troubleshooting, and critical thinking skills.
● A track record of strategic and operational success in a collaborative and creative
environment.
● Experience supervising staff.
● Experience working directly with boards of directors.
● Strong technical acumen and general computer literacy in a Mac-based office,
proficiency in QuickBooks; Microsoft Office Suite including Excel expertise; Acrobat,
ADOBE systems; Constant Contact; or equivalent.

Preferred:
● Relevant Master’s Degree or equivalent experience.
● Demonstrated experience with and extensive understanding of the structures and/or
administrative systems that exist to support dance in higher education.
● Experience in producing dance programming.
● Demonstrated experience in the not-for-profit sector.
● Knowledge of event management software systems including Cvent Event Marketing &
Management and CRMs.

Compensation and Benefits:
● The expected salary range for this position is $75,000 up to $90,000 for highly
experienced candidates. Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications.
● Benefits include:
o paid vacation; sick leave, personal days, and holidays; health and dental; retirement
plan; flexible working arrangements, including the potential for remote work and
personalized schedule (as possible within structure of ACDA).

Application Inquiries:
To apply, please upload your resume, a list of 3-5 professional references with email addresses
and phone numbers, and cover letter (maximum of two pages) describing your interest in and
qualifications for this position, including experiences working within dance or the performing
arts, managing people, and fundraising. Your cover letter should address the following:
● Your interest in working with ACDA.
● The specific skills and experiences you would bring to this role.

Requested materials should be emailed to Michael Estanich at Michael.estanich@uwsp.edu

Review of applications begins February 13, 2023.
● Search will remain open until filled; for full consideration, be sure to have application
submitted by that date.
● The Search Committee will be requesting additional documentation – including writing
and work samples – of final candidates.
● Selected candidates will be invited for an interview

ACDA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration
for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected
by law. ACDA is committed to building a culturally diverse community, and strongly encourages
applications from female-identified candidates and Black, Native, Indigenous, People of Color
(BIPOC).

Start date: On or about July 1-15, 2023

For More Information:
Chair of Search Committee – Elizabeth Ahearn at eahearn@goucher.edu