Overview

About Red Clay Dance Company

Red Clay Dance Company lives at the intersection of Black culture and social change. Through performance, education, and community engagement, we bring Artivism to life—using the power of movement to transform lives and communities. Based in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, Red Clay Dance is committed to cultivating a thriving arts ecosystem that centers African Diaspora aesthetics and voices.

Introduction

Red Clay Dance Company is excited to invite visionary arts leaders to join our team during a time of growth and transformation. This opportunity begins as a 3-month contract position to ensure mutual alignment and set the stage for long-term success. Following this initial period, the role is intended to transition into a full-time Managing Director position, with the long-term goal of evolving into the Executive Director role as part of our succession strategy. This unique pathway offers the chance to step into a key leadership role, contribute meaningfully from day one, and grow into the future steward of Red Clay Dance Company’s mission and vision.

Position Summary

Contract-to-Hire, Full-Time, on-site role based in Chicago, IL

The Managing Director (MD) is the chief operations strategist of Red Clay Dance Company, responsible for leading the internal business functions that support and advance the artistic and educational vision set by the Artistic Director & CEO. The MD oversees organizational operations, finance, HR, and strategic communications, while ensuring alignment between staff, board, and community stakeholders. They will work in close partnership with the Director of Facilities & Operations to coordinate organizational and facility needs. The MD reports directly to the Artistic Director/CEO and supervises development staff, administrative staff, and consultants.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Operations & Administration

• Lead all non-facility business operations, including HR administration, donor management, and workflow systems.
• Develop cross-departmental processes that promote accountability, collaboration, and efficiency.

Finance & Budget Oversight

• Develop annual budgets with the Artistic Director & Board Finance Circle.
• Supervise bookkeeping, payroll, and financial reporting.
• Monitor compliance with fiscal policies and provide monthly cash flow analyses.

Human Resources & Organizational Culture

• Oversee HR practices in collaboration with an external HR consultant.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluations for administrative staff.
• Foster a positive and inclusive organizational culture aligned with Red Clay Dance’s mission.

Marketing & Communications (Strategic Oversight)

• Provide high-level input to the Director of Marketing on campaigns, PR, and branding.
• Collaborate with the Publicist to align visibility and partnership goals.

Board & Strategic Relations

• Prepare reports, updates, and materials for board meetings.
• Support board recruitment and engagement efforts.

Collaboration with the Director of Facilities & Operations

• Coordinate scheduling, event logistics, staff policies, and insurance.
• Align organizational and facility calendars and planning systems.

Benefits

• Initial 3-month contract with the intention of transitioning into a full-time employee role.
• Benefits package includes health insurance, EAP, paid vacation and holidays, and employee discounts (upon full-time hire).
• Flexible work schedule with some evenings and weekends required for performances, events, and meetings.

How to Apply

Please include “Managing Director” in the subject line and email your cover letter, resume, and references in a single attached .pdf file to HR@redclaydance.com. We respectfully request no phone inquiries. Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. All application materials will be treated with strict confidentiality, and we will acknowledge every submission.

Red Clay Dance Company is a Black, female-led, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, for-purpose organization dedicated to inspiring "Glocal" Artivism through creating, performing, and teaching dances of the African Diaspora.

Red Clay Dance Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of our work. We believe that diverse ideas, cultures, and traditions strengthen our organization and enrich the art we create. We honor the intersectionality of identities and strongly encourage candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, gender non-conforming and non-binary, neurodiverse, and people with disabilities to apply. Employment decisions are based on individual qualifications, merit, and organizational needs, without discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of nonprofit or arts administration experience, with direct responsibility for managing and supervising teams.
• Demonstrated excellence in budgeting, development, and strategic operations.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit financial systems and donor relations.
• Experience working with or supporting a Board of Directors.
• Visionary leadership with the capacity to grow into an Executive Director role.
• Knowledge of the Chicago arts ecosystem is strongly preferred.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and community-centered leadership.
• Experience navigating organizational growth, scaling systems, or leading through transitions.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite/SharePoint; familiarity with project management and donor database tools (Asana, Trello, Little Green Light, etc.) is a plus.
• Preferred: Experience cultivating donor relationships and supporting development operations.
• Financial acumen with the ability to analyze and clearly communicate financial information to diverse stakeholders.
• Proven skills in coaching, mentoring, and professional development of staff.
• Strong relationship-building skills with artists, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptable, collaborative, and mission-driven leadership style.

Traits & Characteristics

• A deep belief in and commitment to the mission of Red Clay Dance Company.
• Transparent, high-integrity leadership with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strategic thinker with the flexibility to thrive in a dynamic, evolving environment.