The Cabot - Executive Director
Reporting To: Board of Directors
Direct Reports: Director of Philanthropy & Community Relations, Director of Concert & Event Operations, and Director of Finance & Administration
Location: Beverly, MA
Company Description
The Cabot Performing Arts Center (“The Cabot”), located in Beverly, Massachusetts, serves as a cultural centerpiece for the local community, offering a wide range of artistic events, from concerts to comedy shows, theatrical productions, film screenings, and an array of community programs. With 850 seats, The Cabot has been thoughtfully restored yet modernized as a state-of-the-art venue, and now serves as a vital economic engine and vibrant cultural hub for the North Shore region.
Opened in 1920 as a vaudeville and movie palace, it was hailed as “the most impressive auditorium of its size east of New York.” Known then as The Ware Theater, it was designed by the same architects of Boston’s Athenaeum and Olympia Theater and Dorchester’s Strand Theater. A philanthropic group of North Shore residents purchased the historic structure in 2014 and founded the Cabot Performing Arts Center to save the theater. With the community’s support and a small but talented staff of committed employees, The Cabot has successfully completed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation - restoring parts of the theater to its original 1920s grandeur and modernizing all systems to exceed industry standards and audience expectations. The last phase of this project will be completed summer 2025 with the renovation of The Cabot’s façade and the addition of energy-efficient windows, a new roof to facilitate future solar energy options, and a new modern lounge.
The Cabot is known for hosting a diverse array of performances – from renowned musicians to local theater and independent film screenings. Its commitment to showcasing a wide range of art forms makes it an essential space for creative expression and cultural enrichment, appealing to audiences of all ages. With an annual operating budget of approx. $7 million, its live event programming has excelled and expanded, including sold-out performances of Elvis Costello, Grace Potter, and Herbie Hancock. Its new “Off Cabot” series, featuring a comedy club, is presented in a150-seat venue just a few blocks from the main venue. The Cabot has also invested in educational and community engagement programming, such as Community Conversations, free monthly events focused on community well-being, social connection, and public dialogue on important social issues, and The Cabot In Focus, a hands-on youth filmmaking program.
The Community
The community of Beverly, MA, offers a welcoming blend of small-town charm and cultural vibrancy. Located on the North Shore just 40 minutes from Boston, Beverly is home to a lively arts scene with historic theatres like The Cabot, the Larcom Theatre, and North Shore Music Theatre. The city’s downtown features unique shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks, while coastal living and strong sense of community add to its appeal. Beverly is also home to two colleges: Montserrat College of Art, in close proximity to The Cabot in the downtown area, and Endicott College, about 1.5 miles from The Cabot and with 3000 undergraduate students and 1800 graduate students.
The Cabot is a key partner of the Beverly Arts District, launched in 2014 as a collaboration with the City of Beverly, Beverly Main Streets, and the Montserrat College of Art. This venture represents the community’s collective commitment to arts, culture, and working artists. A diverse community of artists study, operate their businesses, and hone their crafts within the district.
The Cape Ann region, Massachusetts’ “other cape”, is just east of Beverly. Considered less touristy than Cape Cod, this picturesque area is known for charming coastal towns, scenic drives, and rich maritime history. To the south of Beverly lies Salem, MA, a thriving coastal city with a rich cultural heritage and numerous arts and cultural attractions.
With excellent schools and a strong local economy, Beverly provides an appealing lifestyle for those who want to enjoy the best of small-town charm with close proximity to metropolitan conveniences.
Qualifications:
Scope and Responsibilities
The next Executive Director of The Cabot will be given the extraordinary opportunity to build upon the successful momentum of the past ten years while guiding the organization to new levels of community engagement, contemporary relevance, and long-term sustainability. The Executive Director will inherit a talented senior team, a committed and engaged Board, expanded relationships with community partners and stakeholders, and a solid financial footing.
The Executive Director serves as chief executive officer of the organization and is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, operations, and strategic plan of the organization. This leadership role requires a dynamic and driven individual with a passion for the performing arts, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to inspire and manage a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
Specific responsibilities include:
Leadership and Management:
- Provide inspired leadership and direction to the organization.
- Develop and implement strategic plans that align with The Cabot’s mission and goals.
- Cultivate a positive and inclusive organizational culture that promotes excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
- Oversee the daily operations of The Cabot, allowing for efficient and effective performance across all departments.
- Develop and manage the annual budget, with an eye toward financial sustainability and growth. Forecast and manage operating and capital activity against budget; evaluate business performance by analyzing and interpreting data and key performance indicators. Monitor financial performance and provide regular updates to the Board of Directors.
Program Development and Implementation:
- Oversee the development and delivery of high-quality artistic programs and events that meet the needs and interests of the community.
- Ensure that The Cabot’s programming is diverse, inclusive, and reflective of the community it serves.
- Evaluate program effectiveness and make recommendations for improvements.
Revenue Generation:
- Maximize ticketing, rental, self-presentation, and ancillary income while balancing the artistic vision and mission of the organization.
- Maintain direct contact and relationships with local, state, and federal public entities funding the arts.
- Oversee fundraising planning and implementation in conjunction with the Development team, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach funders, and submitting grant proposals and asks.
- Proactively identify and develop additional revenue sources in alignment with the institution’s vision and goals.
Community Engagement:
- Act as the primary spokesperson for The Cabot, promoting its mission and programs to the public.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, sponsors, donors, and other stakeholders.
- Represent The Cabot at community events, meetings, and other public functions.
Staff Development:
- Lead a highly functional senior leadership team; direct, evaluate, enable, and inspire a group of arts management professionals to help achieve the purpose and full potential of the organization.
- Recruit, hire, and supervise staff, providing ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Foster a positive work environment that encourages teamwork, communication, and accountability.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
Board Relations:
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and the organization’s staff.
- Report to the Board on organizational progress, challenges, and opportunities.
- Assist in the selection and evaluation of Board members and support Board involvement in fundraising and community outreach.
Key Selection Criteria
The ideal Executive Director is an entrepreneurial, visionary leader with a demonstrated ability to implement and execute on a plan. The individual will think creatively yet strategically, build consensus among the Board and various stakeholders, and deliver on short- and long-term initiatives. The Executive Director must possess a high level of business acumen and, ideally, bring past experience managing a complex business model that relies on earned revenue and is supplemented by annual fundraising. The Executive Director must have exceptional communication and relationship-building skills and will thrive as a highly visible representative of The Cabot in the community and the performing arts field. The ability to lead and motivate a talented staff team, an engaged Board, and community stakeholders is essential, combined with a deep respect for the arts and nonprofit culture.
Qualified candidates will have the following skills and characteristics:
- Leadership skills and behaviors demonstrating self-awareness, empathy, the ability to analyze complex management situations, and the ability to lead, influence, and build consensus on a range of topics among multiple constituents.
- Experience working in a presenting or performing arts organization with a proven ability to design and control a sustainable financial model and continually improve the bottom line through increased income generation and expense management. Minimum years of senior-level experience is anticipated at 7-10 years.
- Experience developing and implementing strategic plans and master plans for arts organizations.
- The ability and desire to engage major donors, corporate supporters, individual donors, and governmental leaders and partners.
- Proven ability to manage, mentor, and motivate a professional staff.
- An analytical approach to business development, with the ability to gather and synthesize data and to make calculated business investment decisions based on the data.
- The ability to assess and account for risks of all types, including business risk, security risk, cyber risk, etc.
- Forward thinking and proactive approach to problem-solving. Proven ability to effectively manage immediate challenges and problem solve in unexpected and/or urgent situations.
- A demonstrated sense of marketing, with experience increasing earned income from ticket sales, licensing, facility rentals, and creating new opportunities for earned income.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.
- Unwavering integrity and unimpeachable personal ethics.
- Diplomatic acuity and high emotional intelligence. Healthy combination of confidence and humility.
- Self-motivation with relentless enthusiasm and energy, and an inspirational leadership style.
- A personal connection to the North Shore or the Northeast, and/or a genuine interest in joining the Beverly community, both personally and professionally.
- Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, business administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
