Careers Hub

If you’ve chosen a career in dance, you’re stepping into a vibrant, creative and deeply rewarding profession full of opportunities to grow, express yourself and connect with others. The dance sector offers a rich variety of roles, both on and beyond the stage. Many people build portfolio careers, exploring different pathways over time or combining several roles at once, shaping a working life that is diverse and dynamic.

There are many ways in which you can work in the dance sector and the links below aim to help you understand some of them. Click the buttons to explore the profiles attached.

two dancers one male global majority dancer wearing brown hoodie and black joggers healing back in a bridge with one elbow pointed up. one white female wearing full black supporting other dancer with one hand and reaching up with the other
Choreographer

Creates and curates movement, movement sequences and patterns to form a dance

global majority female dancer teaching community group. Arm stretched open sitting with legs wise on the floor in the dance studio.
Participatory Dance Artist

Someone who facilitates dance opportunities in one or more community contexts, such as youth groups, nurseries, etc
Three female Bollywood dancers spinning on a dark stage wearing pink and yellow sari dresses.
Costume / Set Designer

You’ll create the design ideas and work with a team to bring them to life
Young female dancer infront of Glasgow coucil building with large pillars. Legs lunched arms above the head. White female dance with long brown hair wearing checked shirt blue top and white trousers
Dance Artist / Performer

Someone trained to a high level in one or more dance styles who performs choreography or improvisation to an audience
male and female manning an exhibition stand with pull up banners in the background
Dance Administrator

Manages activities and projects provided by dance organisations. In a dance organisation, they facilitate the work of dance artists
white male physio lunging forward holding his stomach, with white female dancer mirroring his movement. Both wearing excersise clothes in a bright healthcare labratory with large windows in the background.
Dance Healthcare Practitioner

Someone who works with dance artists/performers to treat or prevent injury and ill-health, both physical and psychological
White male dance teacher standing in the centre of a stage with one hand raised to the top left looking in the same direction with a large group of young people copying the movement behind.
Dance Manager

Someone who works ‘behind the scenes, often in a dance company but also in a freelance capacity, to ensure that the performance takes place
white female with arms crossed over body and long blonde curly hair flying in the wind to the left. In front of the sea and cloudy sky
Dance Movement Therapist

They use dance and movement to help people with a wide range of emotional, social, psychological and physical difficulties
backstage image of orange lights on stage and silhouette of dancer about to walk on
Dance Producer

Someone who works with dance organisations or venues to ensure that productions, projects or otherwise happen on time and in budget
A male dancer is having his body composition measured by standing on a small scale with his arms outstretched in front of him. In either hand he is grasping a body-composition measurement device which are each connected to the scale with white cables. A white female screening assistant is leant over a white desk observing the monitor, and holding some papers. They are in a white and grey dance laboratory, with gym equipment in the background.
Dance Scientist

Someone who studies dance training, performance and practice and their relationship to performance, fitness, health, and wellbeing
black male dancer teaching a group of young people to dance. all in a running man position wearing athletic clothing in a dance studio.
Dance Teacher

Someone trained to a high level in one or more dance styles and is able to share their knowledge and expertise with others
golbal majority dance teacher sitting on her knees speaking to a room full of dance students gesturing her hands, with mirror reflecting the students behind her. Wearing red trousers and colourful jacket.
Education Specialist

Dance companies need people who know about dance as well as education and cultural policy in order to provide an educational aspect
global majority male dancer jumping high with arms above head. Wearing grey long sleve tshirt and beige trousers. In front of soft focus trees and blue sky.
Notation / Choreology

A Benesh Choreologist records dance movements on paper, in order to correctly preserve work and teach performers approved choreography
close up of dancer stretching resistant band between hands
Pilates Instructor

Helps their students increase strength, flexibility and stability, improve their coordination, release stress and improve posture
White female crossing tattooed arms over the face in a yoga position. Wearing neutral brown clothes in a woodland area
Yoga Teacher

Someone who instructs on positions, controlled breathing and meditation. They teach either as a form of exercise or as a therapy
white female teacher with teenage student sitting on a sports hall floor with hands gesturing. All wearing black with linden dance logo on the t-shirts.
Youth workers

Provide enjoyable, educational activities to help young people improve their confidence, develop new skills

Male cuban dancer Carlos Acosta leaning to the left pretending to hold someone showing male dancer how to perform the move. All in colourful traditional cuban costumes
Movement Director

A Movement Director develops the physical approach to performance, guiding how movement is used to support the work.
White female One Dance UK Staff member sitting on a dance studio floor talking to a large group sitting in a cirlce of young people. Mirrored walls behind them reflecting the group.
Learning and Participation Manager

A Learning and Participation Manager plans and leads programmes that help people of all ages and backgrounds engage with dance and the arts.

Dance Photographer

A Dance Photographer captures movement and performance, creating images that share the artistry of dance with audiences and organisations.

Related Resources

young dancers rehearing in dance studio. All with one one leg up and one arm straight leaning to the left. Mix of male and female dancers with different ethnicities. Wearing comfy casual clothes

Where can dance take me?

A downloadable journal for young people who are interested in exploring dance as a career.

Where can dance take me?

A guide to careers in dance

A comprehensive guide to the amazing career pathways dance offers.

A guide to careers in dance
Female global majority dancer with curly hair flicked in a pony tail teaching a hip hop class. students copying the movement behind all wearing bright colours in dance studio

Dance Teaching Pathways: Guidance on routes into teaching and qualifications

Dance Teaching Pathways provides some clarity and guidance on what dance teaching qualifications are on offer.

Dance Teaching Pathways: Guidance on routes into teaching and qualifications
black male dancer teaching a group of young people to dance. all in a running man position wearing athletic clothing in a dance studio.

Dance Teaching Pathways: Flow Chart

A flow chart to provide clarity and guidance on the various routes into dance teaching qualifications.

Dance Teaching Pathways: Flow Chart

white female dancer with red short curly hair and striped jumpsuit, high kicking right leg with left hand to the side. In front of triangle painted black and white gate with brick wall and blue sky above.
One Dance UK jobs board

Browse the current live job vacancies in the dance sector or explore the different adverts to see what skills and experience each role is looking for.

Jobs
golbal majority dance teacher sitting on her knees speaking to a room full of dance students gesturing her hands, with mirror reflecting the students behind her. Wearing red trousers and colourful jacket.
Discover! Creative Careers

Visit the Discover! Creative Careers website to discover exciting and accessible opportunities across the creative industries, whatever your background or experience. 

Explore the careers finder and see where your interests, skills and passions could take you. 

Discover! Creative Careers
Two men body poppin dancing together. One young blonde white male dance teacher wearing all black, the other an older male grey haired dance student wearing blue jeans and white top.
Arts Jobs Online

Visit Arts Jobs Online to explore current live vacancies across the UK and internationally in the creative industries, from digital marketing roles to dance teaching opportunities. 

Arts Jobs Online
Black female dancer with long brown braids leaning to one side with arms streched above her head, looking towards the top right of the image, in greenhouse surrounded by plants. Wearing black crop top and black cycling shorts.
Dancers Career Development

Consider your next steps in dance beyond the stage. Dancers Career Development can support you in transitioning from professional dancer into a new off-stage role.

Dancers Career Development

One Dance UK young people's programmes

Global majority dance teaching kneeling down with 4 young female dance students gesturing with arms out wide with a mood board in front of them in a dance studio.

Young Creatives

Young Creatives is a national programme for people aged 16 - 20 to develop their choreographic skills

Young Creatives
20 male and female dance ambassadors posing in front of Manchester bridge and skyline in the background. Wearing grey Dance ambassador tshirts.

Dance Ambassadors

Dance Ambassadors is a programme for young people who are passionate about dance

Dance Ambassadors

Introduction to Careers in the Creative Industries e-Learning Module

This self-paced 45-minute e-learning module is designed for young people aged 11 to 18, as well as those supporting young people, who may be considering a career in the creative industries.

Created by Discover! Creative Careers, the national programme working to inspire and inform young people, this module provides a practical overview of the UK’s creative industries. It covers a wide range of sectors, including dance and performing arts, and aims to increase awareness of creative career pathways that align with individual interests, strengths, and skillsets.

Whether you are a student, an early career starter, a teacher, a careers advisor or a youth leader, the Introduction to Careers in the Creative Industries e-Learning Module offers inspiration, insight, and practical guidance to support informed career choices.

Access the e-learning module here.

Access the e-learning module