Director of Dance

English National Ballet School Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

English National Ballet School is seeking a Director of Dance to lead strategy and values, developing world-class ballet training and producing dancers who become leaders. Working with the Executive Director, you will formulate artistic policy, foster an open culture, and guide staff to deliver a high-quality student experience from recruitment through graduation.

You will require outstanding leadership, deep knowledge of ballet and dancer health, and the ability to collaborate with ENB to raise

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and management experience at a senior level.
• Deep understanding of professional ballet training and dancer health.
• Ability to develop and implement artistic policy.
• Experience collaborating with senior executives and artistic teams.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Executive Director and Senior Management Team on strategic growth and the School’s vision.
• Keep current with developments in dance training and dancer health and implement them.
• Lead and manage the artistic staff to teach at the highest level.
• Lead the artistic team to provide a high standard of student experience from recruitment to graduation.
• Develop a synergetic relationship with the English National Ballet to progress artistic standards.

Skills

Leadership skills

Ballet world knowledge

Strategic thinking

Dance education experience

Communication skills

Equality, diversity & inclusion

Job description

Salary: Commensurate with experience and market rates

Job Type: Full time, permanent contract

Location: English National Ballet School, Hortensia Road, London SW10 0QS

English National Ballet Schoolis a specialist training centre for aspiring and highly talented young ballet dancers aged 16 to 19. We transform talented young dancers into world-class performers over a three-year programme validated by Trinity College, London.

Who we are looking for:

We are recruiting a Director of Dance to lead on developing the strategy and values of ENBS, further developing its world class ballet and dance training, producing outstanding dancers who also become leaders in the field.

With the Executive Director, this role will be responsible for formulating artistic policy and championing its implementation internally and externally. This will be achieved through creating and developing a strong, positive and open working environment and cultural ethos which supports the School’s values and best practice, leading by example and promoting clear and open lines of communication. The responsibilities of the role include:

• working with the Executive Director and Senior Management Team on strategic growth and developing the School’s vision and mission, in particular working closely with the Schools Head of Education on Office for Students registration and the further education model
• keeping fully current with developments and best practice principles in dance training and dancer’s health, and working to implement these in the School
• leading and managing the artistic staff, empowering and enabling them to teach at the highest level
• leading the artistic team in providing a high standard of student experience from initial recruitment, through the course, onto graduation and entry into the dance profession
• further developing a synergetic relationship between the School and the English National Ballet to progress artistic standards and competitive advantage.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Excellent leadership and management skills
• Clear understanding and experience of the professional ballet world and the essential components that make up a dancer’s training in the 21 st century
• Excellent knowledge of the requirements of high-quality practical dance teaching
• The ability to think creatively and strategically
• The ability to articulate and discuss artistic matters in relation to professional ballet training
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills
• Demonstrable commitment to leading equality, diversity and inclusion.

Deadline for applications: 10am Monday 2 November 2026.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. Applicants must have UK work authorisation.

English National Ballet School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and the successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

First round interviews will be held on 10 and 11 November 2026.

Commensurate with experience and market rates