Current Job Openings
Full Time Positions
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is the umbrella organization that supports the activities of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs and the Ailey Extension.
Please note: Application procedures for each position vary. Please review for the particular position you desire. We receive many requests and will do our best to promptly respond to all applicants. Thank you for your interest in working with Alvin Ailey.
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
Senior Director of Development
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, one of the pre-eminent and most beloved dance institutions in the world, seeks a dynamic leader to oversee all fundraising for its unique and diverse range of artistic and educational programs. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director of Development will manage a staff of 10 and work closely with the Board of Trustees. This position will oversee a diversified fundraising portfolio comprised of leading foundations, major corporate sponsors (both domestic and international), individual philanthropists and high-profile fundraising Galas. The successful candidate will have at least 10 years of senior-level management experience, a proven track record in top-tier fundraising, an understanding and appreciation of dance, and the ability to work creatively and collaboratively with other members of the senior management team.
With the appointment of a new Artistic Director, Robert Battle, in 2011 and a new Executive Director, Bennett Rink, in January of 2013, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is poised to embark on the next phase of its evolution. Mr. Rink will work with the Board to create a new strategic plan that will support Mr. Battle’s dynamic vision for the Company and establish a series of institutional initiatives to extend the vital mission of Ailey in exciting new directions. The Senior Director of Development will play a key role in this process, participating in the planning process and developing the funding strategies and campaigns to support these new initiatives while also managing and participating in the organization’s complex day-to-day fundraising operations.
The Senior Director of Development will lead the strategy, development and implementation of a broad-based funding program to support the Ailey organization’s ongoing programs as well as new projects and initiatives.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Developing and managing plan for achieving annual fundraising goal (currently approx. $9 million) for the organization’s operating budget through contributions from individuals, corporate sponsors, foundations, government agencies and fundraising Galas.
- Assuming a hands-on, creative, leadership role with the Major Gifts program, focusing on the identification, cultivation and solicitation of individual donors.
- Working together with Board Chairman Joan Weill and other Board leadership to manage and maximize their fundraising efforts, particularly with regard to Gala fundraising events which currently comprise 1/3 of the organization’s annual contributed income.
- Working closely with Chairman of Nominating Committee to identify and recruit new Board members.
- Launching special campaigns to support new initiatives, including potential capital projects.
- Taking an active leadership role in targeted fundraising efforts, including the Parents Annual Fund for The Ailey School, the Young Patrons Circle, and a new Miami friends group.
- Developing and expanding fundraising through digital and social media.
- Overseeing numerous events and ensuring that they are creative, well-planned, efficiently executed and cost-effective, with strategies for follow-through and solicitation.
- Recruiting, training and motivating a high-performing team of fundraising professionals.
- Managing outside consultants on as needed basis.
- Working collaboratively, especially with colleagues in marketing and public relations, to find synergies whenever possible and ensuring the continuation of the organization’s holistic approach to engaging and communicating with its patrons.
Qualifications and Experience
The successful candidate will be an efficient, effective, and creative senior leader, capable of overseeing a multi-faceted ongoing fundraising program while developing new initiatives in conjunction with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.
Specifically, the candidate will need to possess the following:
- A minimum of 10 to 15 years of significant leadership experience in fundraising with a track record of working with a diverse range of major funders, preferably with a cultural organization;
- In-depth experience working in close partnership with senior management and trustees on major philanthropic initiatives, including capital campaigns;
- A strong track record in Major Gifts with emphasis on identifying, cultivating and soliciting high-level individual donors;
- Experience in managing a team of highly skilled fundraising professionals;
- Established networks in New York philanthropic circles, preferred;
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Team-oriented, collaborative spirit with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to forge strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
- Sophisticated and polished with the capacity to engage with Board members, corporate leaders and major philanthropists;
- Appreciation and understanding of the performing arts, particularly dance;
- Strategic, analytical and detail-oriented;
- Strong motivational and communication skills;
- Understanding of need to work evenings and weekends and travel when necessary;
- Goal-oriented with commitment to measuring and tracking results of fundraising efforts;
- A creative intellect, a strong work ethic and a good sense of humor.
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and accomplishments.
Contact
Nominations and expressions of interest will be held in confidence and may be sent to:
Esther Rosenberg or Patty Greco
Co- Managing Directors
Howe-Lewis International
450 Seventh Avenue – Suite 009
New York, NY 10123
(212)697-5000
Email: ailey@howe-lewis.com
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
Studio Manager (Part-Time)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the world’s most popular modern dance company, is seeking a Part-time Studio Manager to work in the Rentals department.
Duties will include ensuring rules and policies of The Ailey Studios are adhered to: checking to see that class and rehearsals are in their assigned studios and are starting/ending promptly; supplying classes and rentals with requested logistic materials (i.e. ballet barres, tables, chairs, etc…) and serve as on-site point person and assist as needed.
Must be available to work part-time, and on a flexible week to week schedule that includes most weekends and occasional weekdays.
Responsibilities include:
- Maintain the studio and theater integrity for: Studio floors; Studio sound equipment; Permanent ballet barres; Chair and table inventory; Class supplies (Yoga mats, blankets, straps and blocks; M.E.L.T. hamper; Portable barres); Theater lighting package / sound package; Soft goods; Moveable walls; Seating unit; Theater & costume storage; Control booth.
- Assist the Rentals department with studio set-up/breakdown and work with Security and Building Maintenance staff to ensure the studios are equipped with materials as requested and ready for class offerings creating a safe and pleasant environment for guests of The Joan Weill Center for Dance.
- Obtain a working knowledge of facility equipment, including but not limited to theater seating unit, moving walls, and theatrical elements.
- Assist in implementing internal event logistics: The Ailey School; Ailey Arts-In-Education; Development; Marketing; AAADT; Ailey II; The Ailey Extension; Administration
Knowledge and essential skills:
- Must be a self-starter
- Has excellent communication and customer service skills
- Be able to multi-task, prioritize issues and anticipate and troubleshoot concerns in advance
- Must be able to lift equipment weighing 50+ pounds
To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter (detailing your interest in a position at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater) to: https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=5042721
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
Full Charge Bookkeeper
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is seeking a Full Charge Bookkeeper to handle the day to day accounting needs for the organization. Primary responsibilities include accounts payables, receivables, cash receipts, payroll and general ledger work. This position will report to the Controller.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Review all invoices for appropriate documentation and approval prior to payment
- Match invoices to purchase orders
- Review expense reports for compliance with firm policy, including obtaining documentation where appropriate and identifying expense coding
- Prepare weekly check disbursements report, print and distribute checks for signatures
- Calculate and enter weekly accounting entries, including payroll, expense reports, workers compensation, union dues
- Prepare, scan and enter batch bank deposits
- Answer all vendor inquiries
- Maintain all accounts payable reports, spreadsheets, and files
- Prepare 1099s
- Compile audit documentation as directed
- Investigate outstanding checks and identify those reportable to NYS unclaimed property
- Assist in the reconciliation of credit card donations, ticket sales, and tuition payments
- Serve as backup to payroll administrator as necessary
Required Skills:
- Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge is desirable
- Proficiency in Excel
- High level of interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Demonstrates excellent teamwork and cooperation
- Detail oriented, efficient, and accurate data entry skills
- Demonstrated initiative; self-starter
Education/Experience:
- Bachelors in Accounting or 4 years equivalent experience
- 2+ years experience as a full charge bookkeeper preferably in a not-for-profit
Apply Now
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
Interns & Volunteer Positions
From time to time, the Foundation is able to extend rewarding internship opportunities to outstanding candidates. Please know that we are not able to offer a stipend, housing, or any other type of compensation; we do work with schools so that interns can receive academic credit and all interns and volunteers are able to take classes at the Ailey Extension at no charge. In the past, we have had high school, college and graduate student interns and we have been able to offer experiences in Marketing, Development, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, Finance, Information Technology, Production, and The Ailey Extension. At times we also need help from volunteers.
Other Ways to Give
The Music of Revelations
Ailey II