Organization
Since opening in 2008, The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts has entertained more than three million guests with Broadway musicals, comedy headliners, music, dance, and more. Pollstar consistently ranks The Hanover Theatre as one of the top theatres in the world. The award-winning historic theatre continues to establish its place as a world-class center for the performing arts and is one of the premier cultural institutions across New England. Located in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, The Hanover Theatre’s facilities include the beautifully restored Main Stage, BrickBox Theater and PopUp Gallery (located at the adjacent Jean McDonough Art Center), plus additional function spaces, rehearsal rooms, offices, conservatory classrooms and studios, and an outdoor plaza.
As The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts approaches its 20th year, its vision is clear: serve as Greater Worcester’s bold, inclusive, and innovative performing arts destination where creativity flourishes, diverse voices thrive, and transformative experiences connect and uplift our community. From a wide range of first-class programming to professional training and educational experiences, the company’s focus is on enriching lives, fostering understanding, and actively supporting Worcester’s growth as a vibrant cultural destination. All of the work serves diverse audiences that include artists, students, creative economy workers, and downtown partners by activating its venues, community relationships, and exceptional people to amplify artistic voices and create pathways from education to the professional stage.
The Mainstage is a beautiful, Broadway-style house seating 2,300. Recent and upcoming programming on the Main Stage includes: seven Broadway touring shows in a subscription series (including MEXODUS direct from its award-winning New York run); Jerry Seinfeld; a new, world-class dance subscription series (Dance Theatre of Harlem, Martha Graham, Ballet Hispanico); Boston Pops; and original, self-produced shows including productions of A Christmas Carol, and Nutcracker.
The Hanover Theatre Conservatory opened in 2017 and reaches more than 20,000 young people each year through educational and access programs, and more than 600 students of all ages have participated in more than 90 classes in acting, dance, music, and technical theatre production.
The Hanover Theatre Repertory (THT Rep) was founded in 2020 as a professional producing arm of the company, focusing on classics, modern classics, and classics-inspired works. THT Rep produces and presents these works at the 250-seat BrickBox Theater at the Jean McDonough Arts Center. Recent and upcoming THT Rep programming includes Doubt: A Parable, Romeo and Juliet, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and FAT HAM.
The Francis R. Carroll Plaza (Plaza) provides an outdoor venue for various performances, public art pieces, and community events. In addition to touring artists, The Youth Acting Company performs on the Plaza for the community each year.
Most recently, as part of its continued expansion into producing and presenting new works, The Hanover Theatre has developed and optioned for Broadway a new play by award-winning playwright Jamie Wax, “HIGH RISK WARD.” It has also collaborated with other nonprofit theatres and commercial producers across the country to bring new shows to New England and to expand THT Rep programming to new markets.
Hanover Theatre & Conservatory has a 30-member board of directors led by Board Chair Elissa Boisvert, Esq. The Vice President, Programming & Production, oversees a department with approximately nine full-time staff in addition to numerous part-time staff and independent contractors.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Hanover Theatre & Conservatory anticipates total revenues of approximately $11.2 million with $9.6 million from ticket sales and program services; $1.2 million from contributions and grants; and $0.4 million from investment and other income. The organization has donor restricted net assets of approximately $2.5 million, with $1 million designated specifically for the Conservatory. The 1926 Legacy Society, named to commemorate the opening of the historic Poli Palace Theatre, is a group of devoted supporters who have included The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory in their estate plans to ensure that it will continue to fulfill its cultural mission for generations to come.
Community
Located in the heart of Central Massachusetts, Worcester is a growing mid-sized New England city of more than 200,000 residents, known for its diversity, civic pride, and central location in the Commonwealth. As the second-largest city in Massachusetts, it offers the scale and amenities of a regional urban center while maintaining a strong sense of community and accessibility.
The city stands out for the diversity of its population and the breadth of communities that shape its civic and cultural life. Recent demographic data indicate that Worcester’s population is approximately 49% White non-Hispanic, 25% Hispanic or Latino, 12% Black, and 7% Asian, a mix that makes the city notably more diverse than many communities in the broader region. Worcester County as a whole is less diverse than the city itself, but it continues to reflect meaningful racial, ethnic, and linguistic variety, with Hispanic or Latino residents representing roughly 14% of the county population and foreign-born residents accounting for about 13%.
The city has evolved from its manufacturing roots into a regional center for education, healthcare, biotechnology, and the life sciences. Worcester’s historic architecture, established neighborhoods, and new mixed-use development reflect a community that values both preservation and forward-looking growth.
Worcester is home to a remarkable concentration of higher education institutions, with more than 35,000 students enrolled across the College of the Holy Cross, Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Assumption University, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester State University, and Quinsigamond Community College. Nearby communities extend this academic ecosystem through institutions such as Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and Nichols College, contributing to a broader regional network of students, faculty, researchers, and professional talent.
This educational presence helps support a dynamic economy and a highly educated workforce, with strength across healthcare, research, professional services, advanced manufacturing, and related industries. Worcester’s location, approximately 40 miles from both Boston and Providence, provides convenient access to major metropolitan areas while offering a more manageable and generally more affordable lifestyle than many larger Northeast cities.
The city’s cultural and recreational landscape is equally strong. Worcester is home to other major arts and entertainment institutions, including Mechanics Hall, the Palladium, the DCU Center, Polar Park (home of the AAA Woosocks), and the Worcester Art Museum, all of which contribute to an active year-round calendar of performances, exhibitions, concerts, festivals, games, and civic events.
Public art, neighborhood business districts, and an expanding mix of restaurants, markets, and gathering places add to Worcester’s appeal. Residents also enjoy access to parks, trails, and outdoor recreation throughout the region, while nearby Wachusett Mountain offers four-season activity, including skiing in winter.
Sources: edited from worcesterchamber.org; censusreporter.org; worcesterma.gov; wbjournal.com; uphomes.com
Position Summary
The Vice President, Programming & Production will serve as The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory’s chief programmer and artistic curator, shaping the creative identity, commercial vitality, and audience experience across its stages. As one of the organization’s lead content strategists, this individual will source, evaluate, negotiate, book, produce, and program a dynamic mix of Broadway engagements, original theatrical productions, touring shows, concerts, comedy, special events, and mission aligned work that drives sales, expands audiences, and strengthens the theatre’s artistic profile.
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.
Traits and Characteristics
The Vice President, Programming & Production will be a resourceful, intellectually curious, and intentional leader who brings a balanced blend of artistic insight and operational discipline. Energized by practical results and continuous learning, this individual will identify artistic opportunities that advance the Hanover Theatre & Conservatory’s mission while making decisions grounded in financial realities, organizational priorities, and audience demand. A people oriented collaborator, the Vice President, Programming & Production will build rapport across the community, staff, board, and partners, fostering trust, engagement, and shared purpose. With a versatile and competitive spirit, this leader will adapt to changing circumstances, communicate with clarity and consistency, listen with intention, and demonstrate the assertiveness and judgment required in a dynamic environment. Centered in humility and driven by strategic ambition, the Vice President, Programming & Production will motivate others, model diplomacy and emotional intelligence, and maintain a visible commitment to the community.
Other key competencies include:
• Negotiation – The ability to listen to many points of view and facilitate agreements between two or more parties.
• Conceptual Thinking – The capacity to analyze hypothetical situations, patterns, and abstract concepts to identify connections, generate new insights, and support thoughtful decision-making.
• Customer Focus – The commitment to anticipate and exceed customer needs with urgency, responsiveness, and strong relationships.
• Goal Orientation – The tenacity to achieve inspirational and attainable goals while building trust and demonstrating the ability to lead, motivate, and organize a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Interpersonal Skills – The capability to build rapport, demonstrate a sincere interest in others, and effectively communicate and relate well to people.
• Leadership and Teamwork – The adeptness to organize and motivate others to accomplish goals while creating a sense of order, direction, and active participation among a variety of stakeholders.
Qualifications
A bachelor’s advanced degree and eight to 10 years of progressively responsible senior management experience in programming and production, within the performing arts or creative industries, are highly desirable. Experience in fast paced environments with strong attention to detail, excellent organizational and time management abilities, and the capacity to oversee multiple staff, projects, and priorities is important. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, event booking, AudienceView (or similar ticketing and service), production technologies, facilities oversight, and related software is useful, as is familiarity with financial processes, including show settlements, contract to settlement workflows, and co production risk management.
Demonstrated success in engaging effectively with ticket buyers, donors, strategic partners, artists, producers, presenters, and community stakeholders is invaluable. Strong relationships with promoters, booking agents, and the APAP network are advantageous. Knowledge of Equity, IATSE, SDC, and other union negotiation processes is vital. The role also calls for the ability to work weekday, evening, and weekend hours as needed; move throughout a multi level venue and office environment; and perform core functions for extended periods.
If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas.
Compensation and Benefits
Hanover Theatre & Conservatory provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated salary in the range of $135,000 to $150,000. Benefits include vacation, sick time, and holidays; subsidized (75%) medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs); life, short-term, and long-term disability insurances; a voluntary 401(k) plan with up to 5% match; and complimentary parking and tickets. The organization provides tax-free reimbursement for certain qualified medical expenses through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). Employees and dependents enrolled in the Health New England HMO Thrive and PPO Thrive group health plans are eligible to enroll in the HRA, and this benefit’s premium is fully paid by the organization. The Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave benefits are also available.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/hanover-theatre-conservatory-seeks-vice-president-programming-production/
The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
