Executive Director

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.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for candidates with demonstrated experience in the following areas:

• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit management and organizational leadership
• Budget development and financial strategy, including restricted fund oversight, audit preparation and tax compliance
• Legal and compliance oversight, including familiarity with employment law and risk management
• Building and managing collaborative, cross-functional teams
• Community engagement and relationship-building, including with major funders, institutional partners, and government entities
• Strategic planning as a tool for organizational stability and long-term sustainability
• HR management, including personnel contracts, performance management, benefits administration, and onboarding and offboarding
• Intersectional equity knowledge - familiarity with systemic barriers facing historically marginalized communities, and facility with the language and frameworks needed to lead an organization whose staff, artists and community reflect that diversity

No prior experience in dance or disability arts is required. The incoming ED will learn the specific history and culture of the performing arts field, the particular shape of disability justice as it lives at AXIS, and the organization's internal accessibility practices on the job.

Compensation + Benefits 

• Salary: $95,000–$105,000
• Health benefits:Healthcare premium paid at 100% for Kaiser HMO Silver, option to enroll in alternate plan, excess % paid pre-tax by employee; optional vision and dental premiums paid by employee
• Flexible schedules: many staff have responsibilities during typical “office hours”, whether that be school dropoff or pickup, doctor’s appointments, etc. We trust individuals to get their personal and professional needs met on a flexible schedule, with exceptions for scheduled performances, rehearsals and events that require physical presence.
• 10 days PTO, with an additional 5 days off during the holidays when company is in "shut down" (between Dec 25th and New Years Day)
• All AXIS employees have the option to voluntarily contribute towards the CA state 401K, CalSavers

Please upload your resume and complete the application.

The process includes a 45-minute initial screen, a 60-minute first internal interview, a 4-hour onsite second interview with the board committee (including an interview, presentation, and meet-and-greet with staff representatives) and a reference check. The anticipated start date is May or June of 2026. 

AXIS is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from across the disability spectrum, BIPOC community, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Applicants must be 18 years or older and able to travel nationally and internationally. 

The Executive Director must be legally able to work in the USA. Applicants will also need to have a valid passport for international travel.

ACCESS NEEDS:

If you need assistance with filling out this application, you can contact us at accessibility@axisdance.org  

If you have any additional questions regarding the application, please feel free to reach out to jobs@axisdance.org.