Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Colorado Ballet in the search for a Chief Advancement Officer. 

The Chief Advancement Officer will lead all development efforts of the Colorado Ballet and further its mission to present exceptional classical ballet and contemporary dance. The Chief Advancement Officer will foster a culture of philanthropy that aligns with Colorado Ballet’s values, mission, and vision, ensuring a growing and diverse audience through performances, education, and community engagement. The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of working collaboratively with boards, leadership teams, and other key stakeholders to craft and execute both short- and long-term strategic plans as well as extensive experience developing and executing comprehensive advancement plans that meet institutional, team, and revenue goals, with a focus on major gifts and expanding the donor base. The Chief Advancement Officer will be skilled in managing and executing high-profile fundraising events, including annual galas and cultivation events, large and small, to advance the organization’s philanthropic goals. The Chief Advancement Officer will serve as a compelling spokesperson for Colorado Ballet in the community, elevating both giving and its public profile. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to shape the future of Colorado Ballet through innovative and impactful advancement efforts. 

Colorado Ballet’s mission it to present exceptional classical ballet and contemporary dance through performances, training, education, and community engagement while inspiring and growing an increasingly diverse audience base. 

Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 63 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and innovative dance in Denver. Colorado Ballet’s 40 professional Company dancers and 22 Studio Company dancers present more than 58 classical and contemporary ballet performances every year. As the premier ballet training institution in the state, Colorado Ballet Academy provides training to students ages 1½ through adult, beginner through pre-professional. Colorado Ballet’s outstanding education and community engagement programs enable thousands to experience the magic of dance. 

After more than two decades of leasing a space near Colorado’s Capitol Building, and a lifetime of renting dance rehearsal and training facilities, Colorado Ballet purchased a building at the north end of Denver’s Art District in January 2013. For the first time in its history, Colorado Ballet owned its home. The Company renovated the space and moved into its new home, the Armstrong Center for Dance in August 2014. The renovated 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art rehearsal and training facility now houses Colorado Ballet’s professional Company dancers, Studio Company dancers, Academy students, numerous educations and community engagement programs, and its artistic and administrative staff. 

Under the creative leadership of Artistic Director Gil Boggs and his artistic team, Colorado Ballet presents classical ballet masterpieces and full-length story ballets, as well as its critically acclaimed repertory productions Ballet MasterWorks, which include neoclassical ballets, contemporary works, and innovative world premieres. 

All productions at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House feature live music by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. The Company also encourages the development of new works through its Attitude on Santa Fe productions, which feature new ballets choreographed and performed by Colorado Ballet’s dancers. Every season since 1961, Colorado Ballet has also presented the beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker to audiences in Denver. 

The Colorado Ballet Academy is the official school of Colorado Ballet and utilizes the most current standards of ballet training. The Academy begins teaching students creative dance and pre-ballet, which lay the foundation for further study of classical ballet. Beginning at age seven, students are placed in Level 1 and advance according to age, experience, and ability. The curriculum is designed to guide students from their first introduction to the art through a full course of ballet study. 

Colorado Ballet’s Pre-Professional Division provides a necessary base to ease the transition from student to professional dancer in a focused, nurturing environment. The audition-only program is geared toward developing the whole artist, offering classes beyond dance technique to create well-rounded dancers ready for the professional ballet world. The Open Program serves a diverse community of teens and adults offering classes in beginning through advance ballet. 

Colorado Ballet’s education and community engagement programs serve in-need students, teachers, families, people living with disabilities, and lifelong learners in Colorado. These programs make more than 35,000 contacts each year in 300 schools and organizations. The mission is simple — Every. Body. Dance! Making dance accessible to everyone, promoting dance and movement as part of a healthy lifestyle, and encouraging creativity and expression through dance, and fostering an appreciation for ballet. 

As one of the oldest and most successful arts organizations in the region, Colorado Ballet continues to present world-class productions, and its audience grows every year. 

 

SALARY, BENEFITS, AND CULTURE 

The salary range for this position is $160,000 to $180,000 annually. Colorado Ballet offers a comprehensive package of benefits, and all staff have the opportunity to attend the productions they help bring to life! 

At Colorado Ballet, you will enjoy the confidence and security of working with a dynamic growing arts organization that has been part of the Colorado arts community for over 60 years. From experienced performing arts professionals to entry-level positions, Colorado Ballet seeks out the most talented and enthusiastic people to join the organization. 

Colorado Ballet recognizes that diversity and inclusion help support creativity and innovation. Colorado Ballet is stronger, more credible, and more effective when its workforce, company, and academy includes individuals with backgrounds, cultures, and traditions that reflect the nation’s rich diversity. Colorado Ballet is committed to encouraging diversity and inclusion and wants to ensure there is no discrimination in its company. Colorado Ballet wants its company to be one in which every employee, artist, student, and teacher feels respected and equal. 

Colorado Ballet is committed to non-discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital status (including civil partnerships), race, ethnic origin, color, nationality, national origin, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. In addition, Colorado Ballet advocates for the use of inclusive and person-first language in all relevant circumstances to continue fostering a culture of inclusivity and a sense of belonging. It opposes all forms of discrimination. 

 

LOCATION 

This position is in Denver, Colorado. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Colorado Ballet and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the successful candidate has been selected. All inquiries will be held in confidence. 

To apply for this position, visit: Chief Advancement Officer, Colorado Ballet. 
To nominate a candidate, please contact Anne Johnson. 

Colorado Ballet has partnered with Aspen Leadership Group in the search for a Chief Advancement Officer. You may view the position prospectus or submit an application via this link: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/3227.