Adult Programs Manager

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

The internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) has received “highest praise for their technical aplomb, their musicality, and their sheer human authenticity.” (Bloomberg News). Founded in 1980, the Dance Group performs the repertory of choreographer Mark Morris, hailed as the “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (The New York Times), whose work is acclaimed for its ingenuity, musicality, wit, and humanity. Live music and community engagement are vital components of the Dance Group. It has toured with its own musicians, the MMDG Music Ensemble, since 1996, and regularly collaborates with orchestras and opera companies around the world. In addition to 12 full-time dancers, the organization currently employs approximately 200 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees.

In the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District, the Mark Morris Dance Center, founded in 2001, is the hub of dance and music education in Brooklyn. The nine-studio building provides affordable classes in multiple genres for people of all ages, levels, with and without disabilities, accompanied by live music. The studios, a performance space, a Wellness Center, and ancillary spaces are all available to the community and to nonprofit organizations at subsidized rates. MMDG’s Community Education Programs partner with public and private schools and community centers to provide customized classes. MMDG also offers customized dance workshops for persons with Parkinson’s disease.

MMDG programs in NYC and worldwide engage over 100,000 people annually. Propelled by core values of community, access, excellence, and creativity, MMDG is committed to ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion work to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all.

The Mark Morris Dance Group seeks an Adult Programs Manager to join its 5-person Education team, focusing on Adult Programs at the Mark Morris Dance Center which consists of approximately 65 weekly drop-in classes, intro series, and workshops. The Adult Programs Manager is responsible for the management and implementation of all Adult Programs at the Dance Center and offsite locations. Reporting to the Director of Education, the Adult Programs Manager will lead daily program execution and provide exceptional customer service to approximately 1,000 students of all ages and abilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Programmatic Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Director of Education:
• • Recruit, hire, and onboard teaching artists and accompanists for Adult Programs.
  • Support faculty through ongoing employment relationships and professional development opportunities.
  • Develop and implement Adult Program policies and procedures that align with MMDG’s core values.
• Participate in the ongoing evaluation of Adult Program offerings; provide feedback and recommendations for program improvement.
• Work closely with the Facilities team to ensure the smooth delivery of onsite Adult programming.
• Serve as liaison—alongside the Education team—between teaching artists, musicians, assistant teaching artists, and staff.
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop and disseminate promotional materials—both digital and print—and ensure accurate and effective communication of program information.
• In coordination with Rental Coordinator, assist in planning and day-of operations for Shared Space events and other public-facing Adult Program activities.
• Support Dance Center Operations Manager by ensuring the front desk team has current and accurate program information to support smooth operations and outstanding customer service.
• Respond to onsite programming issues in real time; troubleshoot registration problems and mediate conflicts between faculty, students, and staff as needed.
• Serve as a designated Dance Center Fire Guard and assist in the event of an emergency.
• Assist with additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Manage MindBody Adult registration software, maintain online adult class schedule and provide technical support as needed.
• Serve as the lead liaison for adult students, managing accounts, responding to inquiries, and ensuring a high standard of customer service for all Dance Center community members.
• In coordination with the Payroll Administrator, ensure all employment paperwork and documentation is completed for new hires (teaching artists, musicians, assistants, substitutes).
• Maintain the Adult Program calendar; ensure timely updates for both public and internal use.
• Monitor and record class attendance; manage sign-in sheets and ensure alignment with payroll timelines.
• Provide regular attendance and sales reports to the Director of Education.
• Maintain and distribute up-to-date policies and procedures for all Adult Program faculty and staff, including substitutes.
• Coordinate with Marketing to capture photo and video documentation of Adult Program classes and events.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• No

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of three to five years of relevant industry experience; an understanding of and interest in the New York dance field and cultural sector
• Minimum of three to five years of customer service and administrative experience
• Proficiency with MS 365 and experience with SharePoint and other web-based software preferred
• Experience with Mindbody, Zendesk, and Active network a plus

Special Requirements: 

• Ability to work occasional weekends or adjusted hours for special programs and events
• First Aid and CPR/AED Certification + refresher courses offered annually
• FDNY Certificate of Fitness F03 (Place of assembly emergency personnel) + recertification (required every 3 years)
• Bystander/De-escalation training
• Dance Center Floor Warden Safety Training

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability Requirements:

• Exceptional organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail and excellent follow-through
• Extremely reliable and dedicated
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and prioritize work accordingly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Congenial and collaborative team player with a sense of humor and humility
• Resourceful, versatile, proactive problem-solver
• Ability to productively interact with peers, customers, and management

SCHEDULE: This is a full-time, non-exempt position that requires on-site work; 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday 11am-7pm. Availability to flex one’s schedule depending on the staffing needs at the Dance Center is required.

YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE IF YOU: 

• Have an excellent eye for detail- you are someone who tackles the big projects by conquering the small details with efficiency.
• Are a people-person - you love interacting with students and take joy in creating community around a shared appreciation for dance and music.
• Are an active listener- you understand the importance of creative problem solving so that the needs and aspirations of our diverse community are met. You can act with diplomacy and patience under pressure.
• Are incredibly organized- you can manage multiple timelines and shift project priorities to ensure deadlines are met with accuracy.
• Are an excellent communicator- you know how to communicate information succinctly and clearly in written and verbal form both internally and externally.
• Are a team player- you work well as a member of a group. You take ownership for the responsibilities you hold while also collaborating with your coworkers and providing support when needed.
• Love our work and align with our core values – You’re inspired by the ways in which we celebrate our diverse community, pursue excellence in all that we do, advance access, exposure and opportunity to dance and music, and cultivate creativity.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Paid vacation, sick/personal leave, holidays and bonus days
• Employee Health and Life insurance covered 100%, Flexible Spending Plan, Voluntary vision and dental coverage, Pre-tax commuter benefit, 403(b) retirement plan
• Access to special events and MMDG performances (when available)
• Access to free and discounted classes at the Dance Center and online
• Invitations to cultural events extended to staff members by community partners.

To join our team, please submit your resume along with a cover letter addressed to Bianca Golden, Director of Education. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. In your cover letter, please respond to the following questions:

• Why are you interested in working at the Mark Morris Dance Group?
• What makes an ideal learning and creative space for the adult dancer?
• MMDG is a values-driven organization; please review our core values of Community, Excellence, Creativity, and Access and discuss an instance in your professional career where you have demonstrated at least two of them.

EEO STATEMENT:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status. It is the policy of MMDG to comply with all the relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). MMDG does not discriminate against any qualified employees or job applicants with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of employment because of a person’s physical or mental disability. MMDG makes reasonable accommodation wherever necessary for all employees or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not require significant difficulty or expense.