Executive Director

Louisville Ballet is an essential part of the Louisville arts ecosystem. By performing with live music, the Ballet provides a major source of revenue to Louisville Orchestra. Louisville Ballet leads the community in staging significant collaborations with other major arts organizations such as Louisville Visual Arts, KY Opera, KyCAD, and the Speed.

Louisville Ballet’s vision is to transform Louisville into a global arts destination. World class Artistic Director, Robert Curran, is generating relevant exciting new works in 70% of the repertoire, reimagining classic ballets, and staging challenging classical pieces. Under his direction, the level of performance is soaring and attracting international choreographers and dancers. Audiences and critics are providing positive reviews.

Louisville Ballet is at an important stage, growing and needing expansion of leadership to assure financial stability, operational excellence, mentorship, and direction to staff. An effective Executive Director (ED) will help lay the foundation for realization of the company’s long-term strategy (Vision 315) of creating a multi-purpose facility at 315 Main that will generate alternative sources of income for long-term financial sustainability.

The Board of Directors seeks an ED who will partner closely with the Artistic Director and collaboratively with staff and Board to fulfill its vision and mission to inspire human connection, collaboration, and creativity by making moving art.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Board, the Executive Director will:

  • Have primary responsibility for managing the fiscal affairs of the company
  • Work with Artistic Director and Board on implementing current strategic plan and develop future 5-year strategy
  • Build dynamic partnership with Artistic Director based on mutual respect and shared vision which will allow the art to flourish while managing the organization in a fiscally responsible manner
  • Serve as a principal chief fundraiser, working closely with the Artistic Director and Board providing direction to the staff
  • Develop strong external relationships within the community and the wider circle of donors and arts organizations
  • Lead and mentor staff leadership team, creating synergy and strong collaboration across the organization
  • Manage cash flow, budget and financial systems; assess and develop effective management of resources and company-wide systems
  • Oversee marketing strategy that will increase ticket sales
  • Work with legal counsel and Board to oversee and negotiate any contractual matters

POTENTIAL CANDIDATE PROFILES

  • WITHIN COMMUNITY
    • Highly connected with or from donor community with demonstrated interest in the arts
    • Views position as an opportunity to make mark in community
    • Looking for career change or coming from period of extended volunteer activity
    • Passion for dance as a performing art and understanding of performing arts management
    • Strong executive, communication, financial and management skills
    • Fiscal and financial sensibilities
  • OUTSIDE COMMUNITY
    • Significant experience in development or general management (production and/or administration) for performing arts company (preferably ballet)
    • Views opportunity as chance to take lead executive position or work for larger ballet company
    • Strong understanding of audience development approaches
    • Experience working with artists
    • Strong executive, communication, financial and management skills
    • Fiscal and financial sensibilities