Vice President, Programming & Production

This is a Full Time Job

Position Summary

In close partnership with the President & CEO, senior leadership team, and The Hanover Theatre Repertory, (THT Rep), the Vice President will develop and implement a cohesive, forward looking programming strategy that balances artistic ambition with financial sustainability. They will cultivate relationships with agents, producers, and touring partners; assess market trends; and build seasons that elevate visibility, deepen community impact, and support both earned and contributed revenue.

Overseeing the full arc of programmed content, from concept and curation through contracting, budgeting, marketing alignment, and production execution, they will ensure that every event is delivered with excellence, creativity, and a high standard of service. In collaboration with the production, operations, and other internal partners, this leader will also oversee the technical and logistical infrastructure that brings each artistic choice to life while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and artistic ambition.

Roles and Responsibilities
Program Vision, Strategy, and Implementation
• Develop, implement, and financially evaluate a balanced, marketable, and diverse programming strategy for the Main Stage, Jean McDonough Arts Center (BrickBox Theater and PopUp Gallery), student matinees, Broadway, and other Hanover Theatre & Conservatory events, ensuring alignment with earned revenue goals and audience demand.
• Engage with Broadway co-promoters, producers, touring companies, presenters, promoters, artists, and organizations to secure high-quality bookings and partnerships, with attention to market viability and revenue potential.
• Negotiate contracts, license agreements, budgets, and financial settlements for mainstage events, ensuring financial terms support sustainable earned-revenue outcomes.
• Collaborate with operations, marketing/communications, finance, senior leadership, and visiting partners to ensure effective planning, marketing, budgeting, and implementation, integrating revenue considerations into programming decisions.
• Cultivate local, regional, national, and international relationships that support diverse, accessible, and financially sound programming.
• Convene internal and external stakeholders to develop equitable programs, consistent programming practices, and marketable annual seasons.
• Embrace other program vision, strategy, and implementation responsibilities as needed.

Strategic Planning, Operational Implementation, and Community Engagement
• Participate actively as a senior leadership team member and principal partner to the President and CEO, advancing long-term strategy, operational effectiveness, institutional priorities, and community impact.
• Provide strategic oversight of production operations, ensuring resources, staffing, labor relationships, and technical execution align with programming goals.
• Supervise the proper preparation, maintenance, and operation of production facilities, events, and the Wurlitzer Organ in accordance with health and safety standards.
• Develop capital equipment, facility upgrade, budgeting, staffing, and growth plans in collaboration with the President & CEO and other senior staff.
• Collaborate with the President & CEO, Board, senior leadership team, city officials, Downtown Business District stakeholders, audiences, artists, and community partners to strengthen the theatre's relevancy, vibrancy, reach, and impact.
• Identify and maximize earned revenue and growth opportunities, including merchandise concessions, rentals, production services, additional properties, programs, partnerships, and new revenue streams.
• Supervise communications with external producing and presenting partners, including technical rider review, issue identification, and problem-solving.
• Support the company's equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility initiatives.
• Embrace other strategic planning, operational implementation, and community engagement responsibilities as needed.

Team Leadership, Collaboration, and Oversight
• Oversee programming staff, production teams, show creative and design teams, independent contractors, vendors, and union crews.
• Create, implement, and enforce facility policies, processes, and procedures for internal teams and visiting performers, promoters, and partners.
• Administer touring show load-ins and in-house original productions, alongside productions from the THT Rep and the Conservatory.
• Maintain positive labor relations and ensure adherence to collective bargaining, legal, ethical, and organizational standards.
• Lead production meetings, team assessments, mentoring, accountability measures, and performance-improvement processes.
• Innovate production workflows to support high-volume programming and sustainable workload planning.
• Monitor and approve payroll for programming and production staff and independent contractors.
• Advance diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging goals.
• Embrace other team leadership, collaboration, and oversight responsibilities as needed.

External Relations and Advancement
• Serve as an ambassador and advocate for the Hanover Theatre & Conservatory programming in collaboration with the President & CEO, Board, and senior leadership team.
• Support advancement efforts, including capital campaigns, annual giving, memberships, corporate sponsorships, grants, and other contributed revenue opportunities.
• Develop program narratives, objectives, and budgets for sponsorships and funding proposals in collaboration with the development, marketing/communications, and finance teams.
• Build and maintain relationships that support future philanthropic, civic, governmental, and community engagement.
• Support the President & CEO in relationships with the City of Worcester and other government partners.
• Engage Downtown Business District stakeholders, artists, audiences, and community partners.
• Embrace other external relations and advancement responsibilities as needed.