Dance Studio Programming & Enrollment Strategist

Dance Studio Programming & Enrollment Strategist Overview We are an established dance studio seeking an experienced Dance Studio Programming & Enrollment Strategist to help identify new class and program opportunities based on three primary inputs: 1. Instructor expertise and capabilities 2. Instructor and studio availability 3. Market demand and competitive research This is not primarily a scheduling, marketing, or curriculum-writing position. We are looking for someone who can analyze these inputs together and determine what classes and programs we should offer, which instructors are best positioned to teach them, when they should be offered, and which opportunities are worth testing first. Our goal is to build a repeatable process for identifying high-potential programming opportunities while improving studio utilization, enrollment, and profitability. The Project We have instructors with different backgrounds, specialties, certifications, teaching strengths, age-group experience, and availability. We also have existing classes, enrollment data, available studio time, pricing information, and market research. We need an expert who can connect these pieces. For example, rather than simply recommending that an instructor teach “ballet,” we want someone who can evaluate that instructor’s specific expertise and determine whether it creates opportunities for programs such as: * Classical ballet technique * Variations * Pre-professional training * Adult ballet * Children’s programs * Conditioning or cross-training * Workshops or intensives * Specialty classes * Short-term programs * Private or semi-private instruction * Other programs suggested by demonstrated market demand These are examples only. We expect the consultant to identify opportunities we may not have considered. Responsibilities The selected consultant will review and analyze: * Current class schedule * Instructor bios, resumes, credentials, and specialties * Instructor teaching preferences and strengths * Instructor availability * Studio/room availability * Existing enrollment and class capacity * Current pricing * Instructor compensation * Current programs and age groups served * Available market research * Competitor programming and schedules * Potential gaps in the local market You will then identify intersections between: Market Demand × Instructor Expertise × Instructor Availability × Studio Capacity × Financial Viability Primary Deliverable: Class Opportunity Matrix We would like the consultant to develop a structured Class Opportunity Matrix that evaluates potential programming opportunities. For each recommended class or program, we would ideally like to see: Class/Program Concept Proposed class name and description of the concept. Target Customer Age range, skill level, customer segment, and likely use case. Instructor Fit Which instructor(s) could teach the class and why their background creates an advantage. Market Rationale Evidence or reasoning supporting potential demand. Competitive Landscape Whether comparable programs are available locally and any identifiable gaps or differentiation opportunities. Recommended Schedule Potential day/time based on instructor and studio availability and the likely customer’s schedule. Pricing / Format Recommended format, such as recurring class, short session, workshop, intensive, private lesson, or other structure. Financial Viability Where sufficient data are available, estimate: * Instructor cost * Revenue per student * Minimum viable enrollment * Capacity * Revenue at various enrollment levels * Approximate contribution margin Cannibalization Risk Whether the proposed program could shift enrollment away from an existing class rather than create incremental enrollment. Test Recommendation How the concept could be tested with limited financial and operational risk before becoming a permanent class. Opportunity Prioritization We do not want a long list of undifferentiated ideas. We want the consultant to develop a method for prioritizing opportunities using factors such as: * Evidence of market demand * Instructor competitive advantage * Schedule fit * Available studio capacity * Expected enrollment * Revenue potential * Contribution margin * Strategic fit * Cannibalization risk * Ease of testing * Long-term program potential The final analysis should identify the strongest opportunities for immediate testing while distinguishing them from more speculative ideas. Ideal Candidate We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following: * Dance studio ownership or management * Dance studio consulting * Performing arts school management * Class/program development * Enrollment strategy * Dance studio schedule optimization * Revenue or capacity optimization * Competitive analysis * Market research for children’s activities, fitness, wellness, or performing arts businesses Experience working directly with dance studios is strongly preferred. We are especially interested in candidates who understand both the artistic/programming side of dance education and the business economics of operating a studio. What This Role Is NOT This is not simply a request to: * Fill empty spaces on a calendar * Create a generic dance schedule * Brainstorm a list of class names * Write curriculum * Conduct market research without translating it into programming decisions * Recommend classes solely because competitors offer them We want someone capable of asking: “Given the instructors, expertise, customers, market demand, available space, schedule constraints, and economics of this studio, what should we offer next?” Initial Scope We envision beginning with a defined consulting project. The first phase would include: 1. Review existing studio and instructor information. 2. Identify underutilized faculty expertise and studio capacity. 3. Review available market and competitive information. 4. Generate potential class/program opportunities. 5. Develop the Class Opportunity Matrix. 6. Rank opportunities using a transparent methodology. 7. Recommend approximately 3–5 high-potential concepts for controlled testing. 8. Recommend how each test should be measured before expansion. A successful initial project could lead to ongoing consulting as instructors, enrollment patterns, market conditions, and studio availability change. Success Measures We will consider the engagement successful if the recommendations help us: * Increase enrollment * Improve studio utilization * Better utilize instructor expertise * Identify underserved customer segments * Create differentiated programming * Generate incremental revenue rather than simply redistribute existing students * Make class-launch decisions using evidence rather than intuition * Establish a repeatable process for evaluating future programming opportunities To Apply Please answer the following questions in your proposal: 1. What experience do you have developing or optimizing programming for dance studios, performing arts schools, children’s enrichment businesses, fitness studios, or similar organizations? 2. Have you previously analyzed instructor capabilities, enrollment data, schedules, and market demand together to determine what programs should be offered? Please provide an example. 3. How would you determine whether an empty studio time should receive a new class versus remain unused? 4. How would you distinguish genuine incremental demand from a class that would simply cannibalize enrollment from an existing program? 5. What data would you request from us before recommending new classes? 6. Briefly describe how you would create and prioritize a Class Opportunity Matrix. 7. Please provide an example of a programming, scheduling, enrollment, or revenue optimization project you have completed. Please begin your proposal with the words “PROGRAM STRATEGY” so we know you have read the full project description. We value thoughtful analysis over the number of class ideas generated. The objective is to identify the right programming opportunities and build a repeatable system for finding them.