Position: Executive Director 

Reporting to: Chairman and Board of Directors 

Salary: Commensurate with Experience 

BODYTRAFFIC Mission

BODYTRAFFIC creates world-class dance in Los Angeles, by commissioning distinctive choreographic works for a company of diverse and exceptional dancers. BODYTRAFFIC shares its love and reverence for dance around the globe through versatile performances, extensive outreach offerings and inspiring educational programs.  (Bio/history listed below.)

General Responsibilities: 

Full responsibility for developing and executing the strategic plan and managing annual operations in support of the artistic vision of BODYTRAFFIC,  and providing dynamic leadership to build inclusive communities around the mission and values of the company.  Working in collaborative partnership with the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will lead a sustainable growth plan as BODYTRAFFIC expands from its current annual budget of $1 million to $2 million or more over a three-year period.   

Major goals for the Executive Director include:   

Maximizing contributed and earned revenue. 
Expanding marketing, communications, audience development, and public image. 
Developing, overseeing, monitoring, and reporting on the organization’s financial performance. 
Guiding the administration and operations. 
Recruiting, training and supervising staff and interns to implement operations, fundraising, marketing, and financial management. 
 

Major Responsibilities include: 

Fundraising.  Works in concert with development staff to create and implement annual fundraising plans (including annual fund, grants, special events, etc.) and provides primary leadership for stewardship and solicitation of major donors.  

Financial and Board Administration.  Works with the General Manager, Treasurer, Finance Committee and Board President to develop and fiscally manage the annual budget. Supports operations of the Board, facilitates communications between the Board and staff, and provides specific support for Committee Chairs.  

Marketing.  Oversees effective marketing campaigns; coordinates and oversees all public relations and marketing activities, including managing the web, PR and other consultants contracted to support these activities. 

Community Relations.  Represents BODYTRAFFIC effectively to a variety of stakeholders, including elected officials, donors, strategic partners, business and educational associations, the media, and local, regional and national arts and philanthropic communities.   

Operations.  Creates operational procedures, utilizes technology and volunteers, where possible, to achieve efficiencies; negotiates contracts and manages outside vendors to ensure competitive pricing and quality; and oversees facilities and risk management.  

Administration.  Management of senior planning team, administrative and operational staff. 

Other Duties.  Performs such other duties and assumes such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Board of Directors to effectuate the smooth running of the organization. 

Experience and Education  

• College degree preferred, in Arts Administration, Dance, Nonprofit Management, or equivalent experience in arts management.
• Four years’ experience as an Executive Director, Development Director, or Associate Director of a non-profit organization, preferably in the arts; experience with a start-up organization a plus.
• Four years’ direct experience in securing substantial annual funding from philanthropic sources for arts organizations. Familiarity with the Los Angeles-area funding network a plus.
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong administrative capabilities and leadership in building alliances and coalitions. 
   

Desired Attributes 

• Collaborative and charismatic leadership
• Creative problem solving
• Flexibility
• High degree of responsibility and initiative taking
• Strong diplomacy skills
• Sense of humor
• Results oriented
• Love for the arts and dance specifically

BODYTRAFFIC Background and history

Founded in 2007 by Lillian Barbeito and Tina Finkelman Berkett, BODYTRAFFIC is considered one of the most reputable and exciting contemporary dance ensembles in the United States. The company’s diverse repertory includes original works by Ohad Naharin, Kyle Abraham, Sidra Bell, Stijn Celis, Anton Lachky, Fernando Hernando Magadan, Barak Marshall, Matthew Neenan, Arthur Pita, Victor Quijada, Hofesh Shechter, Richard Siegal, Micaela Taylor and Wewolf. 

BODYTRAFFIC has performed for sold-out audiences at prestigious theaters and festivals around the world including Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Belgrade Dance Festival, New York City Center’s Fall for Dance, Chutzpah! Festival,  American Dance Festival, The Joyce Theater, Tel Aviv Opera House, The Broad Stage, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Global Arts Live, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Winspear Opera House, and Irvine Barclay Theatre. In 2016, BODYTRAFFIC made it’s Hollywood Bowl debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In 2017-2018, the company celebrated its 10th season with an international tour to 20 cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg for the CONTEXT Diana Vishneva Festival and The Hague, Netherlands for Holland Dance Festival. 

In 2015, BODYTRAFFIC was selected to be cultural ambassadors for the United States via DanceMotion USA (SM) – DMUSA (SM) (a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State, produced by Brooklyn Academy of Music), a dynamic cultural diplomacy program that supports United States foreign policy goals by engaging international audiences through educational opportunities, cultural exchange and performance. BODYTRAFFIC has also served as cultural ambassadors for the United States in South Korea (2016) and Algeria (2017 and 2018).

In 2019, BODYTRAFFIC was named the company-in-residence at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, CA.  The company’s residency includes making the first ever dance work produced by The Wallis.  Throughout 2020, BODYTRAFFIC held virtual performances and educational offerings.  In the fall of 2021, the company will resume live performances and will be touring to over 15 cities to share its work.

Application Submission:

Please submit your resume and cover letter as one PDF file to employment@bodytraffic.com with the subject line Executive Director and your full name. 

BODYTRAFFIC is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to ensuring an inclusive experience for all its employees.