Executive Director for Community Theatre in Northern NH

Theatre UP is looking for an inspirational, motivated, and creative Executive Director to work in partnership with our Founding Artistic Director to strategically and operationally lead our organization.

Theatre UP is a nonprofit community theatre in northern NH that has undergone an extensive renaissance and period of accelerated growth in the last decade. The organization has significant plans to expand its offerings in the next few years. The ideal candidate would be excited to be involved in an organization during this time of development and be eager to be a part of our next steps forward. The community theatre includes a youth/educational branch and eventually a professional branch, though the mission keeps the community piece firmly at the center of these branches.

MISSION: Creating Exceptional Theatre Experiences to Enrich Our Community

VISION: Theatre: an Essential Part of Life in Our Region

About the Area:

Nestled in the shadow of New Hampshire’s majestic White Mountains, Littleton is the economic and recreational hub of the North Country. This picturesque New England gem offers something for everyone – fine dining and art galleries, unique shops and historic buildings, and a range of outdoor activities for all seasons.

The peaceful Riverwalk path meanders along the Ammonoosuc River, across a covered bridge, and past many historic Littleton landmarks. Across Main Street dances a bronze statue of Pollyanna, that icon of gladness whose author, Eleanor Porter, called Littleton home.

Incorporated in 1784, Littleton soon became a commercial and cultural center for New Hampshire’s North Country. Perched on the banks of the Ammonoosuc and Connecticut rivers, Littleton developed first as a mill town, manufacturing a vast array of goods. Today, with a population around 6,000, it continues to serve as the North Country’s economic core, offering a bustling Main Street, an active commercial center just west of downtown, and a busy Industrial Park.

The town’s location in the scenic White Mountains and its mix of small-town charm and modern convenience has earned Littleton numerous accolades, including the first New Hampshire Profile Community Award for conveying the state’s spirit of independence and being named a “Top Ten Dream Town” by Outside magazine.

Start Date:

April 1, 2026 or as soon as possible after that date

Reports to:

Theatre UP Board of Directors

Responsible for:

Management of Overall Operations, Finance, Development, Personnel, & Marketing Oversight

Interim Education Director (additional stipend role)

Partnership:

The Executive Director (ED) works in tandem with the Founding Artistic Director (AD) of Theatre UP, with these two roles forming the executive team. UP is an artistic driven organization. The ideal ED will provide business insight and knowledge as well as fundraising and management qualities to support the artistic vision of the AD. This strong partnership is key to organizational success and many job responsibilities have shared elements between both the ED and the AD.

Job Description:

The Executive Director (ED) shall provide leadership and management in all administrative, financial, fundraising, membership, and personnel elements of the organization, in accordance with the company's mission and purpose. They shall oversee all administrative and financial functions of the theatre, as well as maintain oversight of all personnel. The ED will work closely with the Operations Manager, who ensures the leadership and management in operational, facility, production, and volunteer elements of the company. The ED will focus on community and business relationships and partnerships, working to strengthen these for the benefit of both UP and the community. Reporting to the Board of Directors through the president, the ED must have excellent writing skills, the ability to work independently, and strong organizational capacity. Experience with budget creation and management (including QuickBooks), planning, budgeting/financial tracking, contract management, accounting, and schedule tracking will be required. The ED will also have interim responsibilities as the Director of Education. The ED needs to foster a professional, supportive atmosphere as well as possess the ability to mediate conflicting ideas. The ideal candidate will be an energetic individual with enthusiasm for developing theatre in the community. More importantly, the candidate must demonstrate a strong interest in marketing Theatre UP to its community in ways that will increase its recognition as an integral part of the Littleton area.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Along with the Artistic Director, the Executive Director is an important face of the theatre. The primary role of the ED is:

1. Working alongside the Board and AD, represent and advocate for the Theatre in an effort to continually enhance its image, visibility, and influence across the community. Maintain a visible leadership role in the community and presence in the larger theatre community while advancing UP’s mission and vision.
2. Working alongside the Development Committee, oversee capital campaigns, annual appeal, and take an active role soliciting corporate donations, sponsorships, and individual donations.
3. Oversee day-to-day business operations, including budgeting, purchasing, establishing and maintaining timelines, etc.
4. Working alongside the Operations Manager to cultivate and oversee a family of volunteers and paid staff, including acting company, volunteers, occasional designers, et al.
5. Working alongside Marketing personnel to ensure regular communication to patrons, donors, etc..

Duties:

Management requires flexibility. Other duties and responsibilities may arising as needed:

Program Development and Delivery / Strategic Planning

• Advocate for Theatre UP’s mission, vision & values.
• Monitor and steer progress of strategic plan, working with AD to balance ROI along the way.
• Maintain a safe and orderly learning environment for students and company.

Funding

• Cultivate and steward new and current donors.
• Write grants, maintain grant databases, complete reporting requirements, and sustain relationships with grant giving organizations.
• Manage and oversee fundraising campaigns, including the annual appeal and acknowledgement program. Keep an eye on UP’s ROI.
• Manage Corporate Sponsorship Program and maintain relationships.

Financial

• Working with the Finance Committee and Treasurer, develop and administer the annual budget and help maintain accurate financial records, including but not limited to:
  • Administrative expenses, production income and expense, fundraising revenue, and other earned revenue (concessions, merchandise, etc…)
  • Approval and payment of bills on a timely basis and maintenance of financial records
  • Assist treasurer with financial reporting and forecasting, capital spending, and expenditures review and approval in cooperation with the Board and Executive Committee

Community Relationships & Partnerships

• Act as a public face for the organization
• Nurture relationships with local businesses and business groups, government agencies, universities, the community, schools, the media, and arts organizations.
• Working with the AD, Board, and Membership Committees to:
  • Build relationships and strategic business, education, and non-profit partnerships

Staffing Coordination

• Lead by example to create an energized environment to bring out the best in all staff and volunteers.
• Supervise office administration and operational personnel.
• Maintain a positive atmosphere and effective communication with theatre staff, volunteers, patrons and the Board of Directors.
• Maintain a professional working relationship with students, cast members, contract labor, volunteers, staff, parents, guest artists, and board members.
• Participate in all necessary board committees to provide continuity and input.

Administration & Operations

• With AD, Operations Manager & Administrative Assistant, establish and maintain an operations manual for efficient management of Theatre UP.
• Coordinate scheduling of the UP annual calendar with input from the Board of Directors and Committees.
• In coordination with Marketing personnel, helm the marketing activities of Theatre UP by implementing an annual marketing plan with attention to public relations activities via website, e-mail, social media, word-of-mouth, paid advertising, media opportunities, etc...

Interim Director of Education

The Director of Education is responsible for overseeing the academic department of the organization, including managing instructional staff, curriculum development in coordination with the AD, and student management to ensure high-quality education and student satisfaction.

Duties:

• Maintain outreach to schools and local organizations to support enrollment and identify potential partnerships for onsite educational opportunities.
• Collaborate with Artistic and Executive leadership on scheduling and production coordination.
• Manage the organizational education budget and ensure programmatic needs are met.
• Lead organizational education team and team meetings.
• Post classes/workshops on our CRM, Ludus & and monitor student enrollment.
• Prepare and maintain necessary documentation, such as enrollment forms, EFA payments & Class Wallet invoices, and scholarships forms.
• Ensure compliance with safety policies and nonprofit best practices.
• Report educational programming updates to the Board of Directors at meetings.
• Maintain UP Education calendar.
• Verify faculty credentialing is completed in compliance with standards.
• Support marketing efforts and contribute program data for grants and board reporting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Management, Theatre Arts, or related field
• 2 years of experience in arts or nonprofit management
• 2 years experience in nonprofit fund development
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts/grants
  • Experience in successful grant writing
• Strong presentation and persuasive skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft/Google Suites
• Ability to work in a hands-on environment with limited resources.
• Exceptional impersonal skills
• A positive attitude with a high level of self-motivation and initiative

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of three years of experience working in the theatre with basic knowledge of areas such as stage management, front-of-house, and box office operations
• 4 years of experience in arts or nonprofit management
• 4 years experience in nonprofit fund development
• Experience with a diverse range of fund development strategies, including securing grants, gaining and sustaining sponsorships, and hosting fundraising events
• Marketing/PR experience such as writing press releases, social media, graphic design, etc.
• Working knowledge of the region and served communities
• Experience with managing an educational program.
  • Experience teaching and/or working with young people

Work schedule

This is a full-time salaried position. Some work hours may be performed from home. During production, longer work hours will be required. Attendance at evening and weekend events will be necessary.

Compensation

Executive Director Salary: $45,000 - 55,000 plus benefits package

Interim Director of Education Stipend: $1000/month

How to Apply

Interested applicants should provide the following:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample (Grant application, fundraising appeal etc.)
• Other pertinent samples of your work at your discretion.

Please send all materials and inquiries to cbvashaw@theatreupnh.org. Review of applications will begin on February 17 and end on March 1, 2026.

$500 monthly health stipend, disability, employee assistance program

English Proficiency