Executive Director
Axis Dance Company, Berkeley, CA, United States
AXIS Dance Company seeks an Executive Director to serve as the operational and strategic anchor of one of the nation's leading integrated disability dance companies. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in co-leadership with the Artistic Director, the ED translates AXIS's artistic vision and mission into sustainable reality - balancing creative ambition with fiscal discipline, stewarding relationships with funders, government entities, and community partners as well as rolling up their sleeves on the day-to-day realities of a lean nonprofit.
The incoming ED steps into an organization in transition, with a real opportunity to build operational stability while protecting the artistic risk-taking that defines AXIS's work. The right candidate brings deep nonprofit management experience, a collaborative leadership style, fluency in the diverse lived experiences of employees and community partners, and a commitment to disability justice as central - not incidental - to this organization's identity and impact.
What You'll Own The ED holds ultimate responsibility for the health and sustainability of AXIS as an organization - legally, financially and operationally. Everything in this role flows from one core charge: ensuring that AXIS's artistic ambition has a sound organizational home from which to operate.
Operational and financial leadership and strategy. The ED is the connective tissue between artistic vision and operational reality. This means translating the mission and Artistic Director's creative goals into multi-year budgets, staffing, partnerships, and timelines that are financially viable and sustainable - and knowing when to push back when they aren't. The ED also identifies and develops new revenue opportunities, cultivates strategic partnerships and ensures the organization's reputation is protected and advanced in the field.
Legal, financial and compliance oversight. The ED carries final legal and financial accountability for the organization, including oversight of tax compliance, restricted fund management, insurance, and risk.
People and culture. The ED handles all personnel contracts, manages admin staff and contractor relationships and serves as the HR representative on record. They set the workplace strategies, policies and best practices that allow everyone to co-create AXIS’ unique culture.
External relationships and field presence. The ED is AXIS's primary relationship holder with major funders, institutional partners and government entities. The ED co-represents the organization in the broader arts field with the Artistic Director.
Working Environment
This is a hybrid position with onsite presence required at least 3 days per week, including AXIS's studios and offices in Berkeley, CA, Bay Area performance and event venues and select touring sites.
The office is 0.8 miles from North Berkeley BART, near local bus lines, and free parking is available in an adjacent lot. Occasional carpool driving to Bay Area events and performances is desirable, and some travel to touring sites may be strategically advantageous.
As an integrated disability dance company, non-physically-disabled staff may occasionally assist consenting disabled colleagues with access needs, lifting, or carrying. This role is not required to perform these tasks unless physically able to do so, with the consent of those needing support.
AXIS trusts staff to meet personal and professional needs on a flexible schedule, with exceptions for scheduled performances, rehearsals, and events that require physical presence.
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The incoming ED steps into an organization in transition, with a real opportunity to build operational stability while protecting the artistic risk-taking that defines AXIS's work. The right candidate brings deep nonprofit management experience, a collaborative leadership style, fluency in the diverse lived experiences of employees and community partners, and a commitment to disability justice as central - not incidental - to this organization's identity and impact.
What You'll Own The ED holds ultimate responsibility for the health and sustainability of AXIS as an organization - legally, financially and operationally. Everything in this role flows from one core charge: ensuring that AXIS's artistic ambition has a sound organizational home from which to operate.
Operational and financial leadership and strategy. The ED is the connective tissue between artistic vision and operational reality. This means translating the mission and Artistic Director's creative goals into multi-year budgets, staffing, partnerships, and timelines that are financially viable and sustainable - and knowing when to push back when they aren't. The ED also identifies and develops new revenue opportunities, cultivates strategic partnerships and ensures the organization's reputation is protected and advanced in the field.
Legal, financial and compliance oversight. The ED carries final legal and financial accountability for the organization, including oversight of tax compliance, restricted fund management, insurance, and risk.
People and culture. The ED handles all personnel contracts, manages admin staff and contractor relationships and serves as the HR representative on record. They set the workplace strategies, policies and best practices that allow everyone to co-create AXIS’ unique culture.
External relationships and field presence. The ED is AXIS's primary relationship holder with major funders, institutional partners and government entities. The ED co-represents the organization in the broader arts field with the Artistic Director.
Working Environment
This is a hybrid position with onsite presence required at least 3 days per week, including AXIS's studios and offices in Berkeley, CA, Bay Area performance and event venues and select touring sites.
The office is 0.8 miles from North Berkeley BART, near local bus lines, and free parking is available in an adjacent lot. Occasional carpool driving to Bay Area events and performances is desirable, and some travel to touring sites may be strategically advantageous.
As an integrated disability dance company, non-physically-disabled staff may occasionally assist consenting disabled colleagues with access needs, lifting, or carrying. This role is not required to perform these tasks unless physically able to do so, with the consent of those needing support.
AXIS trusts staff to meet personal and professional needs on a flexible schedule, with exceptions for scheduled performances, rehearsals, and events that require physical presence.
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