Program Assistant

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

The internationally renowned Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) has received “highest praise for their technical aplomb, their musicality, and their sheer human authenticity.” (Bloomberg News). Founded in 1980, the Dance Group performs the repertory of choreographer Mark Morris, hailed as the “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (The New York Times), whose work is acclaimed for its ingenuity, musicality, wit, and humanity. Live music and community engagement are vital components of the Dance Group. It has toured with its own musicians, the MMDG Music Ensemble, since 1996, and regularly collaborates with orchestras and opera companies around the world. In addition to 16 full-time dancers, the organization currently employs 34 full-time staff and 75 part-time staff, teaching artists, and musicians.

In the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District, the Mark Morris Dance Center, founded in 2001, is the hub of dance and music education in Brooklyn. The nine-studio building provides affordable classes in multiple genres for people of all ages, levels, with and without disabilities, accompanied by live music. The studios, a performance space, a Wellness Center, and ancillary spaces are all available to the community and to nonprofit organizations at subsidized rates. MMDG’s Community Education Programs partner with public and private schools and community centers to provide customized classes. MMDG also offers customized dance workshops for persons with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers in 10 locations in all 5 boroughs.

MMDG programs in NYC and worldwide engage over 100,000 people annually. Propelled by core values of community, access, excellence, and creativity, MMDG is committed to ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion work to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Program Assistant is a front-facing, customer service-oriented team member, who will support customers’ experiences and provide administrative support to the management and execution of programming. The Program Assistant plays an integral role in supporting overall organizational efficiency of the Education programs and its community. The Programs Assistant is an essential community connector within the Dance Center space.

RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

• Serve as a first point of contact for Dance Center visitors to help manage greeting, wayfinding, answering inquiries, and providing in-person registration support and customer service.
• Respond to customer service needs via email, voicemail, and phone, redirecting calls when needed.
• Maintain knowledge base and understanding of all Education programs’ systems including but not limited to: MindBody software, Active software, Zendesk CMS, EMS, schedules, and program inquiries.
• Oversee adult class check-in at the front desk, registering students in person when self-check-in is not an option.
• Assist with Adult Program class counts.
• Manage faculty check in process upon entry.
• Be an ear to the ground to understand the customer experience and provide feedback to the Operations, Education and Community Engagement teams.
• Communicate, uphold and enforce Dance Center policies, MMDG’s core values, Lobby and Studio policies.
• In coordination with program staff, assist in building and maintaining activities and/or schedules in the registration software systems as needed.
• Relay requests from studio users (faculty, staff, renters) including but not limited to inquiries regarding temperature, resources, maintenance, cleaning, and studio equipment to facilities.
• Print and post signage for programming communication (closures, studio changes, etc) at the front desk and entrance.
• Document and report injuries and medical emergencies, occurrences of trespassing, theft, disruptive or violent activity and any other health or safety related issues that occur at the Dance Center.
• Serve as a Dance Center Fire Guard and assist in the event of an emergency at the Dance Center.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• 1 + year of relevant industry experience.
• 1 + years of administrative experience.
• Experience with Mindbody, Zendesk, Active network a plus.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work weekday and weekend schedule, as needed.
• Fireguard (F-03) Certification required or must be attained within first 3 months of employment.
• First Aid Certification + refresher course annually.
• CPR/AED Certification + refresher course annually.
• Dance Center Floor Warden Safety Training.

Knowledge, Skill, and Ability Requirements:

• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent follow-through.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and prioritize work accordingly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Congenial and collaborative team player with a sense of humor and humility.
• Resourceful, versatile, proactive problem-solver.
• Ability to productively interact with peers, customers, and management.
• High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE IF YOU:

• Enjoy working with and getting to know people within a diverse community.
• Understand the balance of having a welcoming energy while maintaining policies required in customer service positions.
• Are a collaborative team member.
• Are highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Are willing to be flexible and reprioritize as needed.

SCHEDULE: Wednesday-Friday 4pm-9pm, Saturday 1pm-6pm