The executive team consists of the student leaders who run the organization, set the vision, and make things happen! Led by our executive Director and 4 management team members, this team of 20-25 students keeps the organization running. Applications for the positions open at different times throughout the year.

To learn more about these positions or any positions, feel free to contact the current exec member in the position(s) you're interested in or reach out to the advisor at erinmcc@iastate.edu to get connected.

Ready to join the team? Any open application information  and position descriptions are below:

Management Team Applications Open Through 1/21/2026

Are you passionate about the work of Dance Marathon and looking to take on a leadership position for the 2026-2027 school year? Consider joining the Management Team! This core group comprises the president and four vice presidents, who set strategic goals, oversee the executive team, and lead Dance Marathon throughout the year. We are currently seeking applicants for the Vice Presidents of Membership, Internal, and External for the 2026-2027 school year.

Applications consist of include:

  • General demographic information (name, phone number etc.)
  • Uploading an updated resume
  • Answering short-answer questions
  • Responses to three Essay Questions (100-500 words each):
    • Discuss a leadership experience in which you have successfully managed a team.
    • What is the most important trait of a leader? How do you embody that trait?
    • What is your proudest achievement?
  • Ranking the three available positions (VP Membership, VP Internal, VP External) from best to worst personal fit
    • Read below for details on the duties of each position. 

Following applications, interviews will be conducted throughout the end of January and possibly into the beginning of February.

Reach out to the current management team at dance.marathon@iastate.edu with any questions or to learn more about specific positions.

The VP of Membership Shall: 

  • Oversee and provide support to all directors that fall within the Membership Silo, as decided by the Executive Director
  • Help plan all Dance Marathon Miracle Maker Meetings and All-Committee Meetings alongside the Recruitment and Morale Directors
  • Work with the Alumni Relations Director to develop and maintain strong connections with all Dance Marathon alumni
  • Increase recruitment, retention, and promote equitable operations throughout the organization 
  • Attend regular meetings with directors on the Management Team, directors in the Membership Silo, hospital advisors, Dance Marathon advisors, and others 

The VP of Internal Shall: 

  • Oversee and provide support to all directors that fall within the Internal Silo, as decided by the Executive Director
  • Assist the Family Relations Directors in all family event planning and ensuring that all DM families feel valued, respected, included, and welcomed in our organization
  • Develop knowledge of event authorization to assist the Events Director with all planning and execution of Dance Marathon events
  • Guide the Stewardship Director in best practices that ensure all Dance Marathon stakeholders feel appreciated and valued within our organization
  • Attend regular meetings with directors on the Management Team, directors in the Internal Silo, hospital advisors, Dance Marathon advisors, and others 

The VP of External Shall: 

  • Oversee and provide support to all directors that fall within the External Silo, as decided by the Executive Director
  • Ensure that the Dance Marathon brand is being represented appropriately by working closely with the Creative Director, which includes developing the yearly Dance Marathon campaign
  • Support the Community Outreach Director with developing ideas to increase community involvement within Dance Marathon
  • Work with the Youth Outreach Director to provide updated resources, ideas, and information to our Youth Programs and assist them during expansion efforts 
  • Attend regular meetings with directors on the Management Team, directors in the External Silo, hospital advisors, Dance Marathon advisors, and others 

DM 2027 Executive Team Applications Available Beginning 2/14/2025

See brief descriptions for each open position below. For more in-depth descriptions, please read the position description document.

  • Empower Dance Marathon alumni to stay involved in the organization and give back
  • Provide regular updates to alumni about Dance Marathon
  • Find or create opportunities for alumni to support different areas of the organization
  • Facilitate partnerships between alumni or their workplaces and Dance Marathon

  • Find opportunities to work with organizations on campus and spread the word about Dance Marathon
  • Plan service projects/outings to give back to the Ames community
  • Coordinate Dance Marathon involvement in community events such as Rummage Rampage, farmers markets, the Des Moines Marathon, etc.

  • Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses that support Dance Marathon
  • Coordinate in-kind donations including food and gift donations for Dance Marathon events
  • Request monetary donations from businesses using the partnership packet and other resources
  • Work with Corporate Partnerships and Stewardship directors to make sure all sponsors are recognized

  • Develop and maintain relationships with larger, national businesses that support Dance Marathon
  • Apply for national and local grant opportunities
  • Request monetary donations from businesses using the partnership packet and other resources
  • Work with Community Partnerships and Stewardship directors to make sure all sponsors are recognized

  • Design social media graphics, merchandise, physical marketing materials, etc.
  • Work with media director to maintain a cohesive brand for Dance Marathon at Iowa State
  • Coordinate photography and videography for Dance Marathon events
  • Collaborate with the Media Director to create and execute a yearlong marketing campaign

Must have access to and some experience with Adobe Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and, occasionally, InDesign

  • Oversee logistics and planning for all Dance Marathon events including, but not limited to Stacks for Stead, Digs for DM, and the Big Event
  • Reserve rooms for meetings and events throughout the year
  • Serve as point of contact for most event-related vendors
  • Delegate event tasks and responsibilities to events committee members and the rest of the exec team
  • Meet regularly with the advisor and the MU Event Management Team to plan for the Big Event in the spring

  • Manage relationships with 35-45 families supported by Dance Marathon at Iowa State and work to onboard and recruit new families
  • Oversee a committee of 25-35 students who are paired directly with families to serve as a point of contact and connection throughout the year
  • Serve as the main point of contact for all family questions and concerns
  • Coordinate family speakers and visits at meetings and events throughout the year
  • Plan and communicate about family-specific events like visiting the Apple Orchard or attending an Iowa Cubs game

  • Educate Dance Marathon members on how to fundraise and where funds go
  • Plan fundraising opportunities including neighborhood and football game canning, working concessions, and local giveback nights
  • Provide fundraising resources to Dance Marathon members
  • Collaborate with management to plan fundraising pushes throughout the year

  • Recruit and retain participants for the ignite leadership development program which teaches passionate students about the inner workings of Dance Marathon, gets them connected with current organization leaders, and teaches leadership skills
  • Work with the management team and the advisor to solidify the Ignite curriculum plan for the year
  • Facilitate regular meetings with Ignite participants following the curriculum
  • Match Ignite participants with exec mentors based on interest and make sure exec mentors are working with their Ignite pairings
  • Lead the Ignite participants in creating and planning a Dance Marathon event of their own
  • Encourage participants to attend different Dance Marathon opportunities throughout the year and to apply for leadership positions that suit their interests at the end of the year

  • Manage all social accounts including writing captions, choosing/finding photos, and requesting graphics
  • Update the Dance Marathon website
  • Write or approve all large external communications such as press releases or advertisements
  • Collaborate with the Design Director to create and execute a yearlong marketing campaign.

  • Bring fun and energy to all things Dance Marathon
  • Along with the recruitment director, oversee a committee of morale captains who help with recruitment efforts and lead communication efforts with miracle makers throughout the year
  • Work with the recruitment director to plan and lead Miracle Maker meetings (including public speaking at them) that balance getting information out with providing a fun experience for everyone
  • Coordinate the music and videotaping of the morale dance for the Big Event

  • Lead recruitment efforts for Dance Marathon, including tabling on campus, participation in ClubFest and DIS, and other creative ways to recruit Dance Marathon participants
  • Along with the recruitment director, oversee a committee of morale captains who help with recruitment efforts and lead communication efforts with miracle makers throughout the year
  • Work with the recruitment director to plan and lead Miracle Maker meetings (including public speaking at them) that balance getting information out with providing a fun experience for everyone
  • Coordinate the music and videotaping of the morale dance for the Big Event

  • Make sure all Dance Marathon members feel valued and recognized for the contributions they make to the organization
  • Come up with creative ways to celebrate Dance Marathon stakeholders including Miracle Makers, committee members, exec, families, sponsors, and more
  • Work with partnerships and events directors to thank all vendors and sponsors throughout the year
  • Assist the advisor and executive director with end-of-the-year awards and recognition efforts

  • Manage communication and relationships with all K -12 schools that partner with ISUDM
  • Meet with all schools at least once per year via Zoom or in-person to help determine their needs, what a mini-marathon might look like for them, and how we can support them
  • Oversee a committee and pair committee members with active schools to serve as a point person for that school
  • Coordinate with advisor and exec team for members of ISUDM to visit youth events and for high school and grade school Dance Marathon students to visit ISU events