Operations Manager

Nichole Canuso | Branching Paths Seeks Experienced Operations Manager for a Part-time Hybrid Role

Who we are:

Nichole Canuso Dance Company (soon to become Nichole Canuso | Branching Paths) is an experimental performance non-profit (501(c)3) based in South Philadelphia. Initiated by Artistic Director Nichole Canuso, projects are developed through collaboration across disciplines with performers, designers, musicians, and community members. NCDC creates work in a range of venues and non-traditional spaces to engage new audiences in adventurous ways. You can read more about the company at nicholecanusodance.org.

About the position:

NCDC is a small company with a busy schedule that includes creating original work, performing, touring existing works, and teaching. We are seeking a detail-oriented manager with excellent follow-through, well-rounded administrative experience (non-profit and arts organization experience is a plus), and a positive attitude. 

The ideal candidate will be someone who:

Can work independently to ensure the daily, weekly, and monthly administrative needs of the organization are met. 

Thrives in a collaborative environment and can work within a team to manage and track the progress of the company’s various projects/processes/procedures and ensure forward momentum while respecting the autonomy and expertise of the individuals we work with.

Communicates clearly and effectively both within the organization and with outside stakeholders such as donors, board members, audience members, community members, and a broad variety of artists/collaborators and contractors working with the company. 

Embraces diversity, and is committed to equitable, inclusive, and accessibility-centered practices, which are an integral part of the organization and incorporated into the daily decisions of this position.

Responsibilities of the position

The Operations Manager will work in collaboration with Artistic Director Nichole Canuso to facilitate administrative tasks and be the central point of contact within the company. As the hub of the Company’s administrative structure, this role facilitates, supports, and oversees the minutiae of the company’s many projects, performances, and creative processes. Some areas of responsibility include:

General Administration

Schedule regular staff meetings, set meeting agendas and track progress on the work in various project areas

Check email accounts throughout the week and respond to time-sensitive inquiries, forward communications to the appropriate parties as necessary

Support the grants management team (comprised of the Artistic Director, a contracted writer, and a board member) with the administrative aspects of grants management

Financial 

Support the financial team (contracted bookkeeper and GM position) as needed with areas related to budgets, receipts, accounts payable, tax filings, and reconciliations. 

Board Relations & Development

Schedule quarterly meetings for the Board of Directors, draft agendas, take minutes, and conduct follow up about Board projects and initiatives

Work with the Artistic Director to expand the board membership

Donor relationships and donor database management 

Track all donations in the CivCRM/Database, supply donors with receipts, and draft thank you letters to donors.

Maintain and update donor information in the CivCRM/Database

Point of contact for Leadership Circle members, engaging them via coordinating special invitations and initiatives 

Coordinate all aspects of the annual appeal (ordering supplies, coordinating print production, printing address and mailing labels, and preparing the mailing)

Marketing/Communications

Update website in Wordpress

Work closely with contracted communications staff on press releases, helping to “brand” artistic projects with image and text, drafting e-newsletters, and sharing them out via Constant Contact.

Note: we are currently in a website redesign process slated to conclude at the end of the summer and there is a variety of related work that will be coming up in the immediate future to complete this project

Special Event Management

Support the Board President and Producer on annual donor cultivation and fundraising events

Help with hospitality needs related to productions, community engagement events, workshops, and similar events, as needed

Time commitment and working hours

15 - 20 hours per week, flexible hybrid schedule

This position is largely remote, but will require monthly or sometimes bi-weekly in-person work at the office in South Philadelphia, occasional in-person board meetings, and in-person availability around rehearsal and performance runs.

This position requires a flexible weekday schedule that can accommodate some weekly Zoom meetings in addition to having scheduled blocks of availability to work independently. 

This position requires someone to look at and regularly respond to emails throughout the week. 

Qualifications:

A collaborative spirit and a knowledge of the art community of Philadelphia

A positive demeanor when approaching challenges

An assertive initiator who maintains responsibility for their work from start to finish 

Exceptional time management when it comes to competing/overlapping time-sensitive priorities Strong, clear communication skills (interpersonally, in written communication, and in virtual meetings)

Experience using Google Workspace 

Basic knowledge of Quickbooks, non-profit accounting, marketing, and fundraising

Experience in at least one donor database application (bonus if it is CiviCRM)

Grant writing experience

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

If you have some, but not all, of these qualifications and are interested in the position, please apply! We realize that there may be a need to grow into some of these capabilities.

Other requirements:

Must have personal computer for off-site workdays

Must be available for some meetings during typical business hours (9-5ish), and on occasional evenings (for board meetings) and weekends (for special events)

Must be willing to make a one-year commitment to the position

What we offer:

A flexible 15-20 hour weekly remote work schedule, with some in-office work days required.

 $25/hour with the option to be paid as a W-4 employee or as a 1099 contractor

Access to an amazing community of artists, performers, dreamers, and builders

 To apply:

Please submit a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the position, your other time commitments/general availability for this work, a resume, and two references to info@nicholecanusodance.org by May 15th, 2025. Interviews will be scheduled in early to mid June

The position will begin in late June 2025.