Executive Director

About the Organization 

The Center for the Arts (CFA) is an impact-focused community arts organization whose mission is to establish the greater Sunapee Region as a leading home and destination for arts enthusiasts and artists of all ages & skill levels through its vibrant artist communities, compelling arts spaces, engaging classes, and a diverse array of high-quality programs & events. Partnering with other cultural organizations and local leaders, The Center for the Arts will elevate the region’s quality of life, vibrancy and economic development, placing “the arts” on the same level as the region’s natural beauty and recreational offerings for why people live in, relocate to and visit the Sunapee Region.

The CFA was founded close to twenty years ago “by artists, for artists”, has subsequently evolved into a regional community arts powerhouse. Annual programmatic content has grown to over 90 events and performances, and a dozen or more classes are offered each month to artists ranging from seasoned professionals to aspirants and to the “arts-curious”. In 2025, the CFA opened its first dedicated center comprised of a Member Gallery running six exhibitions per year and the Creative Classroom. The CFA continues to conduct exhibitions and performances in other regional sites and with partner organizations such as Colby-Sawyer College and the Barn Playhouse in New London, the Livery in Sunapee Harbor, and others, all focused on showcasing the high quality of artists within the region while also exposing patrons to exceptional artists brought in from outside the region.

The CFA is currently a $250K-scale organization, with one other full-time staffer (Gallery and Community Arts Manager), three part-time marketing and support staff, and interns.

About the Region

The Sunapee region served by the CFA is composed of a dozen municipalities in west-central New Hampshire between the Capital area and the Upper Valley towns that border VT. Centered around the pristine Lake Sunapee and Mount Sunapee, the area is renowned for its natural beauty, year-round recreation, and charming towns.  Offering a welcoming blend of culture, nature, vibrant communities and a strong economy, the area is also within a few hours of Boston MA, Portland ME and Burlington VT and convenient to the White and Green Mountains for hiking, biking, and skiing.
 

The Opportunity

We are seeking an energetic and impact-focused Executive Director (ED) to lead the CFA into its next phase of substantial growth. The ED will represent our mission and values to our artist, patron, donor, partner, and volunteer communities, ensuring a high quality experience for each. Through leadership clarity in thought and action, and a collaborative & positive work style, the ED will build artist community and value, program engagement and growth, donor experience and affinity, and cultural and economic impact. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will oversee all aspects of the CFA organization (artistic, educational, operational, community, finances, HR, volunteering, and fundraising). The ED will work in partnership with a committed “working Board” that currently provides leadership in developing and implementing exhibitions, classes, community events and performances, and other programs. Over time, with growth in resources, associated staff and an active volunteer network, the ED will work with the Board on transitioning the model and structure to more of a “governance Board”.
 

Primary Role Responsibilities

• Function as chief fundraiser and the organization’s face to the community.
  • Cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, sponsors, and public entities to meet or exceed goals.
  • Work with and guide the Board and committed donor network in fundraising capacity building and donor relationship management efforts.
  • Research, identify and ensure CFA participation in grant opportunities, which may include writing and/or overseeing grant proposal work.
  • Serve as the CFA’s public face and principal ambassador, further strengthening its profile as a cultural cornerstone for the region.
  • Cultivate new and strengthen existing community and cultural partnerships.
  • Attend and represent the CFA at exhibitions, performances, and other events, which will involve event-specific evening and weekend activity.
  • Live and project our values of exceptional constituent experiences, reliably high quality execution, inspirational content delivery, community building … and fun.
• Develop the organization’s strategy in conjunction with the Board.
  • Work with the Board to develop and implement the CFA’s long-term strategic plan, with annual updates.
  • Develop the annual operating plan, creating and executing goals and actions.
• Ensure operational excellence.
  • Define the most effective and efficient use of the CFA’s resources at each stage of growth, being a champion for focus, prioritization, high standards, intense data and metric understanding, and continuous improvement.
  • Focus on results vs. activity (e.g., community impact, “customer experience” for all key constituencies, value for artist guild members, audience engagement, as well as standard measures of growth and financial performance).
  • Rigorously assess program effectiveness and define adjustments as needed.
• Utilize technology tools and best practice marketing and communications approaches to drive ever-expanding audience awareness, engagement, and value.
  • Oversee the creation and execution of marketing plans.
  • Build strong conventional & social media public relations networks to elevate the CFA’s visibility and brand locally, regionally, and beyond.
  • Deploy contemporary best-practice marketing approaches and cost-effective data-driven tools for artists and patrons.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations and finances of the organization.
  • Develop and manage the budget, ensuring financial stability and sustainability.
  • Oversee regular preparation of financial reports, including cash flow projections and budget forecasts. Have a clear focus on trends and variances, including contribution margins of the various categories of offerings and services.
  • Implement and maintain effective policies and standard operating procedures, with clear standards and templates for “what good looks like”.
  • Serve as primary contact and owner for operations, including CFA facilities, technology, HR functions, payroll, and benefits management.
  • Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
     

Personal Characteristics

A demonstrated ability to calmly and decisively focus the organization, build systems, and lead through periods of growth and change will be essential. Also important is the ability to foster trust and authentic collaboration across a diverse and intergenerational community.

The successful candidate will be a skilled communicator and relationship builder—able to engage effectively with staff, board members, patrons, donors, volunteers, and community partners. A high degree of emotional intelligence will be critical as the ED propels the CFA in expanding its capacity, deepening its community partnerships, and further expanding its regional impact. Other key competencies include the following:

• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills. Known as a powerful and effective communicator, with an ability to convey and elicit profound enthusiasm around the organization’s mission.
• Strong commitment, as well as organizational and time management skills to ensure prioritization and focus. A self-starter, with a results and impact focus.
• The capacity to inspire and support others while modeling integrity, setting clear expectations, and taking ownership of outcomes.
• A passion for the arts and the positive impacts of the arts in people’s lives.
   

Qualifications 

The ideal Executive Director of the CFA will bring a portfolio of experiences in nonprofit management, fundraising, community management, and organizational development. We will be looking for the qualifications listed below, recognizing that there are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally.

• A decade or more of progressive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, cultural arts organizations, education and/or business.
• A demonstrably successful fundraising track record, including leading a successful capital campaign(s). Excellent donor relations skills.
• Experience and skill in working with an active Board of Directors.
• A track record of successful delivery performance to meet or exceed goals.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate.
   

Location Requirements

This is a full time position based at the CFA’s headquarters in New London, NH. The ED will be expected to be on site frequently and sometimes at short notice when not out in the community interacting with artists, donors, patrons, partners, and volunteers. While there is potential for some hybrid work, the role is not remote.
 

Compensation and Benefits

The CFA provides a competitive and equitable ED compensation package in the range of $65,000 - $75,000, based on experience and qualifications, and with the opportunity to grow compensation as the scale and impact of the organization grows. The CFA offers an attractive benefits program that includes paid time off, holidays and health insurance.