Organizer Information
The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts is a leading nonprofit performing arts institution located in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. Since opening in 2008, the organization has become one of New England’s premier cultural destinations, welcoming more than three million guests through Broadway productions, concerts, dance performances, comedy events, theatrical productions, and community programs.
The Hanover Theatre operates as a multidisciplinary arts center with a mission to enrich lives, foster artistic excellence, and create transformative experiences through performance, education, and community engagement. The organization manages several venues and creative spaces, including its historic Main Stage, the BrickBox Theater, the PopUp Gallery at the Jean McDonough Arts Center, rehearsal facilities, conservatory classrooms, studios, and outdoor performance areas.
The institution’s Main Stage is a Broadway-style theatre with approximately 2,300 seats and hosts nationally recognized touring productions, concerts, and special events. Recent and upcoming programming includes Broadway touring shows, major music performances, dance series featuring internationally recognized companies, comedy performances, and original productions.
The Hanover Theatre Conservatory, established in 2017, provides arts education programs for more than 20,000 young people annually, offering training in acting, dance, music, and technical theatre production. The organization’s professional producing division, The Hanover Theatre Repertory (THT Rep), focuses on contemporary and classic theatrical works, presenting productions at the 250-seat BrickBox Theater.
The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory is seeking an experienced arts leader to guide its programming and production strategy, expand artistic partnerships, strengthen audience engagement, and oversee the delivery of ambitious performing arts experiences.
Title & Description
Vice President, Programming & Production
The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory is seeking a Vice President of Programming & Production to serve as the organization’s chief programmer, artistic curator, and strategic leader responsible for shaping the institution’s artistic identity and programming direction.
The successful candidate will oversee the development, acquisition, negotiation, production, and presentation of a diverse portfolio of performances, including Broadway touring productions, original theatrical works, concerts, comedy, special events, educational programming, and mission-driven artistic projects.
Working closely with the President & CEO, senior leadership team, The Hanover Theatre Repertory, and external artistic partners, the Vice President will create a forward-looking programming strategy that balances artistic ambition, audience development, financial sustainability, and community impact.
This leadership role requires a combination of artistic vision, commercial understanding, production expertise, and relationship-building skills. The position will guide programming decisions from initial concept development through contracting, budgeting, marketing coordination, technical preparation, and final execution.
The Vice President will play a central role in strengthening The Hanover Theatre’s reputation as a leading performing arts destination while expanding opportunities for artists, audiences, and community partners.
The Role Overview
- Position: Vice President, Programming & Production
- Organization: The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts
- Department: Programming & Production
- Employment Type: Full-time senior leadership position
- Contract Type: Permanent employment role
- Reporting To: President & CEO
- Leadership Level: Executive / Senior Management
- Team Supervision: Approximately nine full-time staff members, plus part-time employees, contractors, production teams, vendors, and union crews
- Estimated Salary Range: $135,000 – $150,000 annually
Benefits Include:
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match
- Complimentary parking
- Complimentary theatre tickets
- Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
- Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave benefits
Position & Tasks
The Vice President, Programming & Production will be responsible for:
Programming Strategy & Artistic Development
- Create and implement a comprehensive programming strategy across all venues.
- Develop seasons that align artistic goals with audience demand and financial objectives.
- Identify opportunities for Broadway engagements, touring productions, concerts, theatrical works, and community-focused programs.
- Evaluate market trends and emerging opportunities within the performing arts sector.
- Build relationships with producers, agents, presenters, touring companies, and artists.
Booking, Contracts & Financial Management
- Negotiate contracts, licensing agreements, budgets, and financial settlements.
- Evaluate programming opportunities based on artistic quality, market potential, and revenue impact.
- Manage programming budgets and contribute to earned-revenue strategies.
- Support co-productions, partnerships, and new performance opportunities.
Production Oversight
- Oversee production planning and execution for touring shows and original productions.
- Coordinate with technical teams, operations, marketing, finance, and external partners.
- Review technical riders and resolve production challenges.
- Ensure facilities, equipment, staffing, and workflows support high-quality performances.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead programming and production teams.
- Develop operational policies and procedures.
- Mentor staff and encourage collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
- Manage contractors, vendors, creative teams, and union crews.
- Support diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging initiatives.
External Relations & Community Engagement
- Represent The Hanover Theatre with artists, producers, donors, sponsors, government partners, and community stakeholders.
- Support fundraising initiatives, sponsorship opportunities, and institutional growth strategies.
- Develop partnerships that strengthen Worcester’s cultural ecosystem.
Categories
- Performing Arts
- Theatre
- Broadway & Touring Productions
- Live Performance
- Arts Administration
- Cultural Management
- Programming & Curation
- Production Management
- Music Performance
- Dance
- Comedy
- Community Arts
- Arts Leadership
Eligibility
Applicants should have:
- Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree preferred.
- Approximately 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in programming, producing, or production management.
- Professional experience within performing arts organizations or creative industries.
- Strong knowledge of event booking, theatre operations, and production workflows.
- Experience negotiating contracts and managing financial settlements.
- Ability to develop relationships with artists, producers, agents, presenters, and cultural partners.
- Experience managing teams and complex artistic projects.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Knowledge of Broadway touring networks.
- Experience with APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) networks.
- Familiarity with union environments including Equity, IATSE, and SDC.
- Experience with ticketing systems such as AudienceView.
- Understanding of co-production models and commercial partnerships.
The organization encourages candidates with transferable skills and equivalent professional experience to apply.
Program Benefits
- Executive-level leadership opportunity at a major regional performing arts institution.
- Competitive annual salary package.
- Comprehensive employee benefits.
- Opportunity to shape the artistic future of a nationally recognized theatre.
- Leadership role overseeing major Broadway, theatrical, music, and cultural programming.
- Ability to develop partnerships with leading artists, producers, and creative organizations.
- Opportunity to contribute to community cultural development in Worcester and New England.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Announcement Date: 7 July 2026
- Application Deadline: Ongoing (Applications are accepted until the position is filled)
Location
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Additional Details
- This is an executive leadership role requiring both strategic planning and hands-on operational involvement.
- The position includes responsibility for evening and weekend performances when required.
- The Vice President must be comfortable working across artistic, financial, technical, and community-focused areas.
- The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- The successful candidate will help shape future programming strategies as the organization approaches its 20th year of operation.