Artistic Director – Children & Youth Division

Artistic Director – Children & Youth Division

Year-Round

Full-Time Position

The Artistic Director of the Children and Youth Division at the Joffrey Ballet School provides visionary leadership, artistic excellence, and educational oversight for one of the School’s most foundational programs. Working in close collaboration with the Dean and Artistic Team, the Artistic Director will uphold and refine the existing vision that nurtures young dancers’ creativity, technique, and love of dance. This role oversees the artistic operations, curriculum design, faculty leadership, and performance programming for students of all levels.

The Children & Youth division encompasses ages from three through eighteen. The program serves the youngest of dancers up through pre-professional level students in an after school setting. The position will ensure alignment with the Joffrey Ballet School’s mission of providing exceptional, inclusive, and comprehensive dance education. The Artistic Director will serve as a mentor to faculty and students alike, foster meaningful community partnerships, and uphold the School’s legacy of excellence through thoughtful programming, dynamic performances, and engagement with families.

This is both a strategic and hands‑on role that combines artistic direction, teaching, mentorship, and community advocacy to shape the next generation of dancers within the Joffrey Ballet School’s vibrant and diverse learning environment.

The successful candidate must meet all of the following:

• Minimum of five years of management or leadership experience
• Minimum of ten years of teaching experience with children and youth
• Degree in Education, Dance Education, or a related field, such as a BFA in dance, or equivalent qualifications based on professional experience in dance and child education

The successful candidate will meet some of the following preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree or Ph.D.
• Five years or more of prior work experience at a conservatory or professional dance training school or similar institution
• Record of professional dance experience
• Experience producing concert dance performances for children and youth

Applicants must include the following materials for full consideration:

• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation
• Minimum of four professional references
• A minimum of two teaching videos between ages 5 and 14. Videos demonstrating a range of levels and/or ages are encouraged. Videos should clearly show the instructor teaching the combination, students demonstrating the combination, and the instructor providing feedback to students.

• Collaborate with the Dean and the School’s Artistic Team to develop and articulate a vision for the Children and Youth Program that complements the goals and mission of the Joffrey Ballet School.
• Celebrate the diverse makeup of the student body by integrating dance history and cultural experiences into the curriculum.

• Manage the program’s artistic operations.
• Refine and implement dance curricula for various age groups, ensuring they are age‑appropriate and aligned with the school’s artistic vision.
• Oversee curriculum creation and class scheduling, ensuring compliance with the National Association of Schools of Dance Education and relevant state standards.
• Refine, implement, and manage the curriculum for the Arts in Education Outreach Program
  , ensuring alignment with the NYC Department of Education Blueprint for Dance standards.
• Maintain and expand a collection of children’s books, props, and classroom materials, researching and purchasing new resources as needed.

• Contribute to long‑term strategic planning for the school’s growth and artistic development.
• Ensure the Children & Youth Program nurtures a love of dance, builds foundational skills, fosters creativity, and maintains an inclusive, supportive environment for all young dancers.

• Serve as a spokesperson for the Joffrey Ballet School, advocating for the importance of arts education.
• Build and maintain relationships with local schools,…