Executive Director

Canterbury Shaker Village, a National Historic Landmark, seeks a talented Executive Director to lead the organization into a new phase of vision and energy. Founded as a utopian community of religious believers in 1792, it is one of the oldest, most representative, and best preserved of all nine of the Shaker villages in the U.S. It features 26 original Shaker buildings, four reconstructed structures, collection of 100,000 artifacts, and 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds. 

The last Canterbury Shakers passed away three decades ago, but their heritage lives on through the Village, which they organized in 1969 in cooperation with historians, artisans, and townspeople to build community and sustain the Shaker’s story of creativity, faith, equality, and enterprise. Today, the Village welcomes 15,000 annual visitors for tours, educational programs, and outdoor recreation.

The organization is a 501(c)3 governed by a 20-member Board of Trustees and operated by an 11-person staff and ten seasonal employees, plus 50 volunteers. Annual budget of $1.3 million. Located near Boston, White Mountains, and seacoast.

The Village is currently pursuing several key initiatives:

• Multi-million-dollar capital campaign, currently in its quiet phase and supported by a feasibility study, to build stability for the Village’s historic preservation, collections, programs, and endowment.
• Comprehensive strategic plan to capture the “magic” of this special place to sustain and strengthen outstanding visitor experiences. 
• Translating the Shaker values for relevancy in contemporary society.
• Facilities preservation plan to protect and maintain the Village’s core physical assets.
• Educational outreach to offer greater accessibility to the Shaker story and appreciation for Shaker craftsmanship and innovation. 

Salary range $120,000 – 140,000 plus benefits. EA/EO.