Arts Center Executive Director

Firehouse Center for the Arts, a 30-year-old non-profit arts organization in the heart of historic downtown Newburyport, is hiring an Executive Director.

Scope and Function

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for the Firehouse Center for the Arts and oversee the financial and strategic planning for its evolving regional theater and arts center business model. This will include leading administrative operations, including financial management, community engagement, and involvement of philanthropic and earned revenue streams through donations and corporate sponsorships. Serving as a community ambassador, they will develop influential connections throughout Greater Newburyport, as well as Essex County, to engage the local community in our mission. The Executive Director will collaborate with staff at all organizational levels, as well as with the Board, artists, and donors, and create an organizational culture of respect, teamwork, and accountability. The essence of the role is serving as the key public face of the organization and successfully directing the Firehouse team in executing the mission and vision of the historic and growing Firehouse Center for the Arts.

Roles and Responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership of the Organization

Regularly conferring and cooperatively working with the Firehouse Executive Committee in achieving the mission and goals of the organization.

· Collaborating as a dedicated partner to the Artistic Director- jointly advancing the theatre’s programming, strategic direction, artistic vision, and organizational goals.

· Planning, creating, and effectuating the annual budget, overseeing expenditures, and developing short- and long-term forecasts, ensuring the Firehouse operates at the highest level of financial accountability.

· Monitoring and reporting financial performance to the board, providing plans to underpin data-driven financial decisions that support sustainability and growth.

· Identifying potential artistic collaborators, domestically and internationally, and partnering with the Artistic Director to curate an exciting and diverse season, in alignment with the organization’s mission.

Organizational Excellence and Board Governance

· Fostering a healthy and cohesive working environment and supporting creative and collaborative work while holding departments accountable to their financial and other goals.

· Engaging regularly with all staff, addressing complex issues honestly, directly, and without fear of conflict.

· Guiding the marketing strategy to ensure imaginative communication and creative ticket pricing strategies.

· Assisting in growing, diversifying, and supporting the board of directors, leveraging their expertise, networks, and resources to support the organization’s mission and goals.

· Providing regular updates, reports, and strategic guidance to the board, while ensuring the organization operates in accordance with its legal, governance, and compliance requirements.

External Relations and Fundraising

· Serving as a strategic leader to assist development committee in building a sustainable philanthropy program.

· Assisting with fostering strong relationships with myriad audiences including donors, business leaders and community members, with an eye toward engagement and fundraising.

· Developing community engagement opportunities designed to elevate visibility of the Firehouse and advocate for the importance of the arts.

· Supporting new audience engagement initiatives designed to expand the theatre’s reach and deepen the experience of new and existing theatregoers.

· Participating in industry conferences and theatre organizations to represent the Firehouse, staying informed on and offering leadership on current trends and best practices. Participating in local Chamber meetings as a representative of the organization and attending non-profit roundtable and collaboration meetings with other community non-profits.

Qualifications

· 5 years of progressive senior leadership experience in theater and/or nonprofit management, including strong understanding of non-profit finance, development, marketing and staff management.

· Demonstrable results in the arts, presenting, producing, the creative industries, or with a deep appreciation and understanding of the performing arts or a related field is strongly preferred.

· Demonstrable experience with planning, creating, and managing non-profit budgets, overseeing expenditures, and developing short- and long-term forecasts.

· History of fiscal success in expanding earned and contributed revenues, strengthening strategic partnerships, and increasing community engagement.

· Strong understanding of financial and fiscal development for non-profits.

· Experience leading a staff using a transparent and engaging communication style, respectful and modern management approaches, and clear establishment of expectations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Experience:

• Theater Management: 3 years (Preferred)
• Leadership: 5 years (Required)
• Non Profit Finance: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Newburyport, MA 01950 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $115,000