Executive Director

Location: Nantucket, MA

Full-Time Position

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Since 2012, the Nantucket Book Foundation (NBF) has welcomed world-class authors and enthusiastic readers to celebrate the power of books and stories. Our annual Festival and year-round programs bring together authors, readers, students, and the community in conversation and discovery on our beautiful island steeped in literary tradition.

Our Festival has grown into one of the most sought-after and respected in the world and we are now seeking a passionate and visionary Executive Director to lead the Foundation into its next chapter. This is a unique opportunity to be a vital part of a beloved cultural event, engage with a vibrant community of readers, shape future readers (and writers!) in our students, and ensure that literature continues to inspire island life.

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What You’ll Do:

The Executive Director is the guiding hand and public face of the Foundation, working closely with our dedicated Board of Directors, volunteers, donors, and partners. You’ll bring authors to the island, connect with schools and young writers, and create opportunities for the entire community to experience the joy of books.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partnering with the Board on governance, planning, and long-term strategy.
• Representing The Nantucket Book Foundation publicly, including public speaking in front of crowds.
• Leading donor engagement—from heartfelt thank-yous to major conversations—and exploring new ways to support our mission. Familiarity or willingness to learn with Neon and QB required.
• Researching and writing grants, and developing creative fundraising campaigns and annual appeals. Ability to compile and write both donor and financial reports.
• Welcoming and supporting visiting authors, from travel to hospitality.
• Building strong partnerships with local schools, fostering young readers, and overseeing our scholarship programs.
• Overseeing the Foundation’s finances with integrity, in partnership with our bookkeeper and accountant.
• Overseeing events large and small, from our signature Festival to Children’s Book Day, Read the Runway, Visiting Authors, and other special programs, and future events as developed.
• Managing communications with the community through email, donor outreach, and our website.
• Supporting and supervising staff and coordinating with staff to regularly attend committee meetings and record minutes.
• Supervising updating of our website (no design work or experience necessary; we have a website designer).  

What We’re Looking For

We seek a leader who brings both heart and skill:

• A strong communicator and natural relationship-builder.
• Comfortable balancing creativity with organization, vision with detail.
• Experienced in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and financial management.
• Skilled in grant writing and donor relations.
• Familiar with QuickBooks and donor management tools (such as Neon), or ready to learn.  
• Above all, someone who loves books, values community, and believes in the power of stories to connect, elevate, and transform us all.

Why This Role Matters

The Nantucket Book Foundation is a year-round organization that brings authors to schools, fosters young readers and writers, awards scholarships, puts books in the hands of our youngest readers, and plants and nurtures a love of reading across the island. We seek to build bridges through the pages of books and the transformative power of the written word. We celebrate reading and foster connections across oceans. We help students discover their voices and bring authors to the stage to share stories that matter. As Executive Director, you will not only guide, grow, and oversee the Foundation’s events, but also carry forward the Foundation’s broader mission: ensuring that the joy and impact of books reach every corner of the Nantucket community and beyond our shores, around the world.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to searchcommittee@nantucketbookfestival.org

Deadline for applications is November, 1, 2025.

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