Sanborn Mills Farm
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Loudon, NH
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 21, 2025
Sanborn Mills Farm
Nestled in picturesque Loudon, NH, Sanborn Mills Farm is a historic working farm dating back to the 1770s. Located on 350 acres and comprised of twenty-five buildings, working fields, and forests, the Farm is dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional craft, farming, and land stewardship practices, providing a vibrant connection to New
England’s agricultural and artisanal heritage. Visitors are welcomed into a beautifully restored setting that includes the main campus, water- powered saw and grist mills, timber-framed barns, working, agricultural fields, managed forests, and a blacksmith shop—all still in active use. The renovated facilities and studios feature state-of-the-art equipment, and the campus includes dormitory rooms and a dining area for residential students.
The complex offers an authentic glimpse into 19th-century rural life while remaining relevant to contemporary practice. More than a historical site, it’s a living classroom where instructors, farmers, craftspeople, and historians come together to teach time- honored skills that remain applicable today. The Farm offers a wide variety of hands-on workshops and programs, ranging from one to five days, in blacksmithing, fiber arts woodworking, draft animal work, and sustainable gardening, connecting participants with traditional techniques that inspire modern applications. Beyond workshops, the Farm fosters community engagement through special events, farm-to-table meals, tours, and opportunities to purchase farm products. These experiences encourage exploration of the interconnectedness of history, craftsmanship, and the natural environment.
Sanborn Mills Farm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, with a staff of sixteen year-round and five seasonal employees in addition to sixty-eight instructors. Sanborn Mills Farm is an IRS designated supporting organization of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance with which it has shared a long productive relationship. Sanborn Mills Farm has an annual budget of about $2,000,000. and welcomes 1,500+ participants and visitors per year, primarily during the spring, summer, and fall months. Agricultural, forest management and garden activities vary seasonally, but occur year- round. Sanborn Mills Farm’s mission is to teach traditional crafts and farming methods while sustainably using its field and forest resources. To read more about how the Farm’s vision and values encapsulate the organization’s aspirations, see their statements here.
The Opportunity
This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned nonprofit leader to guide Sanborn Mills Farm into its next era by promoting and optimizing its unique assets, strengthening its operations, and fostering long-term sustainability through innovative approaches to revenue generation and community engagement. In collaboration with a committed Board and staff, the Executive Director will steer the organization forward as its long-term founder retires and as it embarks on several strategic and impactful initiatives, including:
Ushering in the next chapter of organizational maturity and sustainability with the support of an energetic staff team and an effective Board.
Transitioning the organization to new levels of professionalism and efficiency supported by board development.
Creating a business plan along with relevant policies and procedures with a strategic focus on diversification and growth that addresses financial stewardship and sustainability.
Updating the Strategic Plan to propel the Farm’s operation and envision innovative pathways for growth.
Rethinking the Farm’s branding and community engagement through a robust visitor outreach and media-relations initiative.
Responsibilities and Expectations
Successful candidates will have proven effectiveness as an executive or senior-level professional in nonprofit organizations such as craft schools, arts organizations, educational institutions, working farms, living history sites, historic sites, preservation institutions, museums, or other similar mission-driven organizations. They will demonstrate accomplishment as a strategic thinker, team builder, communicator, fundraiser, innovator, and leader adept at translating vision into organizational action. Responsibilities will include:
Developing and leading a dynamic fundraising program, to complement the endowment and expand public participation through grants, individual donations, major gifts, and corporate philanthropy.
Providing budgetary and financial oversight, accountability, and sustainability; managing revenue streams from earned income, philanthropy, and governmental sources.
Collaborating with the Board, key staff, and stakeholders to evaluate, revise, and implement the Strategic Plan.
Nurturing, supporting, and managing the staff, inspiring teamwork and accomplishment.
Working with the staff to advance the preservation of the Farm’s buildings, traditional craft programs, farming, and hospitality.
Create new, and maintain collaborations with civic groups, community organizations, businesses, and guilds in New Hampshire and the surrounding region, focusing on nurturing and expanding existing partnerships.
Serving as the Farm’s primary spokesperson, leading an energetic marketing program that lifts the Farms’s profile, representing the organization at events, in the media, and cultivating key relationships locally, regionally, and nationally.
Experience, Skills, and Attributes
A minimum of five years of senior executive or management experience in related nonprofit environments.
B.A. required, master’s degree preferred in a related field, or equivalent life experience
Passion for the mission and enthusiasm, understanding, and interest in 18th- through 20th-century New England craft, rural building practices, horticulture, agriculture, and forestry, along with commitment to environmental preservation.
Strategic planning skills which provide organizational vision and direction, focused on building capacity in service to mission as well as financial sustainability.
Demonstrated enthusiasm for successful fundraising, working with donors, foundations, sponsors, and governmental funding sources.
Financial acumen and management, oversight of development and management of an annual budget; ability to interpret financial performance to the Board and other stakeholders.
Pragmatic and successful experience as a senior-level administrator and project manager, ideally having experience with building/preservation projects, revenue generation, audience development, and visitor experience.
Exemplary management and organizational skills in leading staff who exude enthusiasm for the organization’s mission, buildings, and programs.
Emotional intelligence and people-oriented leadership skills that serve internal and external stakeholders and build a culture of trust and respect.
Experience working in collaboration with diverse constituents, partner entities, and stakeholders in the local community and across a broad network.
Expertise in maintaining positive and productive Board relations, ensuring transparency and best practices for Board development and governance.
Passion for developing and expanding educational programs and effectively promoting offerings to broaden engagement and impact.
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this position.
Compensation
The salary range is $130,000 - $160,000 negotiable based on skills and experience, plus benefits including health insurance and a retirement-plan contribution.
How to Apply
To apply in confidence, submit application by March 21, 2025 to Ken Turino, Senior Search Consultants, Museum Search & Reference, via SearchandRef@museum- search.com.
Please include:
1) A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.
2) A résumé.
3) The names and contact information for three professional references, indicating their relationship with the candidate.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Nominations are welcome. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. For more details, visit: www.museum-search.com/open-searches.
About Loudon and Concord, New Hampshire
Loudon, nestled in the scenic heart of New Hampshire, combines small-town charm with modern convenience, making it an ideal place for families and individuals alike.
Just twenty minutes from Concord, Capital area residents enjoy easy access to a vibrant array of cultural experiences, fine dining, and shopping. The area boasts a rich array of museums and historical resources that celebrate the state's heritage, notably Canterbury Shaker Village, and the New Hampshire Historical Society.
Also within an easy drive is Manchester, NH, the state’s largest city, with its international airport, museums, and other cultural attractions. For those seeking the excitement of a major metropolitan area, Boston is just over an hour away, offering world-class museums, sports teams, music venues, and dining.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy year-round opportunities for hiking, skiing, and exploring New Hampshire’s scenic beauty locally, in the nearby White Mountains, and at the New Hampshire seacoast with its sandy beaches and the charming and historic waterfront city of Portsmouth.
Capital area residents benefit from top-tier healthcare options, with Concord Hospital and other reputable facilities in the region providing exceptional medical services. The area also boasts highly rated schools, making it an ideal place for families seeking quality education. New Hampshire residents benefit from no income or sales tax, and the Presidential Primary offers the opportunity to meet candidates in person.
