Careers at the Joffrey

The overarching responsibility of the Head of Children’s Program of the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet is to manage and develop the Children’s Program and its faculty, ensuring high-quality education and performance opportunities while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. The Head of Children’s Program works closely with the Abbott Academy Director to maintain high standards of excellence and educational programming. This role includes teaching, curriculum development, and maintaining clear communication with the Abbott Academy Director, colleagues, and families.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

The Associate Director of Individual Giving is responsible for managing the Joffrey’s annual campaign with the main focus of soliciting donations from individuals between $1 and $5,000. This includes overseeing the Joffrey’s annual campaign process, including direct appeals, Women’s Board fundraising and cultivation events, donor stewardship including stewardship events, and working as the primary fundraising liaison to the Women’s Board. The Associate Director of Individual Giving is a team leader and actively identifies and develops relationships and pathways that build on the Joffrey’s current successes and enables future programs and initiatives which support the Joffrey’s commitment to diversity, accessibility, and artistic excellence in performances & productions, training & education, and community engagement.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

Community Engagement (CE) Program Coordinators are primarily responsible for teaching CE Programs in Chicago Public Schools, including Bridge, Dance Exploration, and Middle School Dance Programs. They are also responsible for administrative duties associated with the programs. This specific CE Program Coordinator is responsible for teaching the in-tower Extensions Program and at the South Loop location on Saturdays from September through June, along with the administrative duties associated with the Extensions Program.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

The Office & Facilities Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Facility Operations and interfaces with all staff members and departments on facility and operational needs, as well as the general public. The Office & Facilities Coordinator is responsible for the general coordination of building services (deliveries, security, janitorial, maintenance) and repairs, along with front desk reception and guest coordination.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

The Lead Academy Services Associate oversees the front desk and administrative operations at the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. This role includes leading and training part-time Academy Services Associates, ensuring smooth operations, and providing high-level administrative support. The Lead Academy Services Associate plays a pivotal role in delivering exceptional service and maintaining efficient program operations. The Lead Academy Services Associate provides general support for Academy programs, working closely with part-time Academy Services Associates and the Student Services Specialist.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

The Academy Services Associate serves as a key point of contact for the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. This role supports smooth front desk and administrative operations, ensuring students and families experience exceptional service. The Academy Services Associate provides general support for Academy programs, working closely with the Lead Academy Services Associate and the Student Services Specialist.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

The Joffrey Ballet is seeking Teaching Artists to join our Community Engagement team. Community Engagement Teaching Artists (TAs) are independent contractors who teach exceptional arts education classes for Chicago Public Schools through in-school programming in multiple styles of dance including African, ballet, hip hop, jazz, and Latin. TAs offer highly structured dance experiences, encouraging students to develop technique, creativity, and life skills. Programs often last the full school year, though shorter residencies occur.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

The Joffrey Academy of Dance Teaching Artist (TA) is an independent contractor who teaches exceptional arts education classes for the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet. We are looking for TAs who are adaptable, demonstrate knowledge and preparedness, care about all students, create a joyful atmosphere, and are experts in their style(s) of dance. TAs provide instruction in one or more of the many styles of dance taught at the Joffrey Academy including, but not limited to ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, character, hip hop, jazz, Pilates, and West African, as well as adaptive classes for neurodiverse students. TAs offer highly structured dance experiences, encouraging students to develop technique, creativity, artistry, confidence, discipline, and life skills. Programs run throughout the academic year from fall through spring, with separate programs offered in the summer months. Our student body includes individuals from early childhood to senior adults.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

Please note that we are regularly looking for Teaching Artists to join our Academy. When you submit your materials, we may not reach out to you right away. That said, if there is alignment with your skills and experience and the classes we are looking to fill, we will reach out to you. 

The Artistic & Production Fellow at the Joffrey Ballet supports the Artistic & Production team and helps to ensure smooth operations – from planning and execution to post-mortem. The Fellow attends meetings, provides administrative support, and coordinates contracts and invoicing. This position helps coordinate front-of-house activities, maintains performance databases, handles mailings, schedules meetings, coordinates auditions and hospitality, attends rehearsals, assists with travel logistics, and conducts visa research. The Fellow works closely with the Joffrey Ballet’s Artistic & Production team as well as a wide range of collaborators.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

Each spring, 5-11 Grainger Academy Summer Chaperones, are contracted to assist with all aspects of student life for the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive Programs.

Chaperones are primarily responsible for supervising young dance students ages 9 to 21+ who are participating in Grainger Academy summer intensive programs and living in the housing facilities throughout the duration of the program. All Chaperones work directly with the Grainger Academy’s Student Services Specialist, and work closely with the Abbott Academy Director and the Grainger Academy administrative staff.

DATE AVAILABILITY: Chaperones with full availability from June 19 – August 16, 2025, are strongly preferred. Chaperones may not have prior commitments such as classes, part time jobs, or other conflicts during the program weeks. Additional Chaperone positions are also available from June 22 – July 26, 2025, June 29 – July 19, 2025, July 20 – August 9, 2025, and July 27 – August 16, 2025. 

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.

We receive and review audition material throughout the year.  If you wish to be considered for a possible position with the Joffrey Ballet Artistic Team, please complete this form and include your CV, photographs and headshot, and artistic reel.  The Joffrey no longer accepts auditions submitted by postal service or courier delivery.

The Joffrey’s Company Pianist collaborates with the General Manager, Artistic Director, and Music Director to support the Music Department. The Company Pianist prepares and performs music for daily classes, rehearsals, and performances, ensuring all sessions are covered. This role also participates in tours and special events, helps maintain the music library, and provides musical expertise for planning and special projects.

TO APPLY: please visit our Career Center for more details and to submit your application materials.