NEW SALEM — The 1794 Meetinghouse’s executive director plans to step down at the end of the year, feeling he no longer has the time the 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts center requires.

Brad Foster was appointed to the part-time position 10½ years ago after his predecessor, Mike Ruocco, decided to move on. This came at a time when Foster was looking for an additional revenue stream.

“I’ve been in arts management for a long time and I love that, I love concerts, and I also have other parts of my life,” he said. “So the idea of doing a part-time job was great.”

Foster, 70, of Shutesbury, said he does not have sufficient time to give the 1794 Meetinghouse the attention it needs because he also teaches and handles accounting and financial management for nonprofits.

The 1794 Meetinghouse’s board of directors has set up an interview committee to find Foster’s replacement. The outgoing director said the job entails building upkeep and program coordination.

“The [program] committee and I decide who to hire, and then I do all the contracts,” he said. “The people I meet through this, they’re just great — the board members, but also, I meet townspeople, and it’s so nice having gotten to know all these townspeople.”

The summer season ended on Sept. 21, with a concert by the American roots band The Deep River Ramblers. Volunteers will clean up the town-owned building for the winter on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Jan Doody, the board’s secretary, said the opening has been listed on employment websites and in various publications.

“We’ve got the word out,” she said, adding that Foster will be missed. “[He’s] very dependable and he’s up here a lot, doing the background stuff, checking on the building, putting signage up. You know, there’s just so many little parts of it.”

Other executive director duties include securing grants to support the nonprofit, suggesting fundraising ideas and handling marketing material for the performing season.

Interested candidates with experience in performing arts and nonprofit management should send a résumé and cover letter to director-search@1794meetinghouse.org. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.