Careers at the Joffrey

The Joffrey’s Major and Planned Gifts team works to secure leadership and estate gifts for the Joffrey, and has an annual goal exceeding $3 million, as well as fundraising for special campaigns, events, and capital gifts. The Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts will be a vital part of this fundraising team, working directly with donors--cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $25,000 and above. The Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts will work closely with Joffrey’s planned giving donors, and will be responsible for the development and execution of planned giving marketing and stewardship initiatives to grow the number of estate gift commitments to the Joffrey. The Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts is a 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.

The Student Services Specialist helps maintain smooth daily administrative operations of The Joffrey Academy of Dance, and ensures successfully run Summer Intensive Programs each year. This position is part of the team that directly provides our students with the administrative support they need to enroll and thrive at the Academy. The Student Services Specialist works closely with the entire Academy team in planning, coordinating, and implementing long- and short-term objectives, goals, and projects. This role serves as a key representative of The Joffrey Academy of Dance, developing and maintaining supportive relationships with hundreds of students and families.

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

The Head of the Children’s, Adult, and Adaptive Programs works closely with the Abbott Academy Director to maintain high standards of artistic excellence and educational programming set by the Abbott Academy Director. This Program Head works closely with Abbott Academy Director and staff to build and create programming to develop and maintain the syllabus and curriculum. The Head of the Children’s, Adult, and Adaptive Programs is responsible for the training and development of students in class, rehearsals, and performances in related programs. 

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

The Community Engagement Associate is a core member of the Community Engagement (CE) team and provides support related to communication and administration. The CE Associate teaches Community Engagement’s Signature Programs in Chicago Public Schools which include Bridge, Extensions, and Middle School Dance Clubs. This position is responsible for coordinating After School Matters summer program. The CE Community Engagement Associate team member would uphold Joffrey’s artistic vision and provide an inclusive classroom experience for students. This position also plays a critical role in the success of the annual Nutcracker Student Matinee series. 

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. 

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.