Posted: 20-Nov-25
Location: Abilene, Texas
Type: Full Time
Salary: $75,000.00
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
About the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra
The Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra (APO), led by our Music Director Maestro David
Itkin, is a professional orchestra serving music lovers in and around Abilene with
seven concerts (4 Masterworks and 3 Pops) per season. Our musicians are drawn from
nearly every metropolitan area in Texas, and the orchestra is distinguished by its
collegial “ownership culture” created by our tenured players. The work culture we
value for our administrative staff is creative, collaborative, and supportive.
The APO is currently in its 75th season of music-making in West Texas. We seek an
innovative Executive Director to help fulfill our mission of unleashing the power of
music to entertain, educate, and inspire through live symphonic music and
community engagement.
About Abilene, Texas and the Surrounding Area
Abilene (population: app.131,000) is experiencing substantial growth, with an eclectic mix
of industries, four universities, and two colleges. Regular partnerships with Dyess Air
Force Base, Hendrick Health, and generous local foundations have helped make the
APO a vital presence in the community.
The cultural landscape of the community includes a number of nationally-recognized
museums (The Grace Museum, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature,
12th Armored Division Museum, the Center for Contemporary Arts, and Frontier
Texas) and a beautifully-restored 1930s “atmospheric” movie palace (the Historic
Paramount Theatre).
Live theatrical productions (Paramount Productions, Abilene Community Theatre,
touring shows, and three university theatre programs) grace Abilene stages
throughout the year. Abilene also boasts a thriving live music scene, including two
summer concert series (Open Road at The Grace Museum’s rooftop and Rock and
Roar at our award-winning zoological park), a country music festival (Outlaws and
Legends), and regular performances at venues throughout the city and county.
Additionally, Abilene has a local NPR affiliate station broadcasting news and classical
music (KACU), and a number of performing arts organizations (Chorus Abilene, the
Abilene Community Band, and the collegiate Civic Orchestra of Abilene) with whom
the APO occasionally partners.
Abilene is the commercial and cultural anchor of a 19-county region known as “The
Big Country.” For outdoor enthusiasts, three state parks and several lakes lie within an
hour’s drive. Two hours to the east, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to five
professional sports teams, a NASCAR Cup Series race, two annual PGA Tour events,
nine universities, multiple art museums, and the Van Cliburn International Piano
Competition.
The APO Annual Budget
Approximately $950K, our budget supports a subscription series of concerts at the
Abilene Convention Center, Zoo Concerts, and cabaret-style shows at the Historic
Paramount Theatre. Thanks to the work of an active, engaged, and visionary Board,
the APO enjoys a uniquely firm financial standing. In 2021, the orchestra launched the
Music Director’s Endowment Campaign to help secure finances into the future. Far
exceeding their initial goal, the Board announced the public phase of the campaign
with a more aggressive $3M goal, having already raised over two-thirds of the total.
Executive Director
The APO’s Executive Director (ED) reports to the Board of Directors and will have
overall responsibility for the APO’s staff leadership, concert logistics, musician and
volunteer coordination, community partnerships, fundraising, grant writing, and
community-based marketing. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a passion for
innovatively connecting the community with classical and popular music
programming. APO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse pool
of candidates.
Executive Director Responsibilities
Leadership, Operations, & Concert Execution
1. Plan, execute and oversee logistics for all concerts, including working with
Music Director, staff, Board members and volunteers
2. Oversee educational, outreach, and other off-stage activities
3. Work with orchestra personnel manager and Music Director to manage
musician matters, including auditions, scheduling, and recurring paid
engagements
4. Oversee volunteer development, planning, and deployment in collaboration
with staff
5. Develop and implement policies and procedures to promote organizational
governance
6. Coordinate the operation of APO board committees
7. Attend all Board meetings to deliver ED report; coordinate with Executive
Committee; synchronize board involvement with ongoing efforts; attend
certain committee meetings where ED participation is required, including
Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Fund Development Committee,
Guild Meetings, and Abilene Philharmonic Foundation Board meetings.
8. Track operational and leadership considerations as necessary for grants
9. Produce annual celebratory meeting for all APO musicians, Board,
volunteers, and other stakeholders
Fundraising, Marketing, Finance, & Communications
1. In collaboration with Treasurer and Finance/Fund Development Committees,
set, monitor, and manage fundraising and budgetary goals
2. Source current, and create new opportunities to generate ongoing
sponsorship and donor relationships
3. Develop, organize, and manage donor acknowledgment process, customer
relationship management database, and other ongoing donor maintenance
efforts
4. Coordinate grant-writing efforts and timely preparation of all required
reports, from significant funders, and new granting relationships
5. Develop fundraising special events and initiatives in collaboration with the
Fund Development Committee
Requirements
Preference will be given for candidates with backgrounds in non-profit
administration, financial management/budgeting, fundraising, marketing, and/or
music/arts management. Regardless of prior background, the characteristics we prize
most are the leadership skills and collegiality required to lead our dedicated staff and
collaborate with our talented Music Director and orchestra members. While we expect
the successful candidate to have an appreciation for orchestral music and the
performing arts, prior professional experience in this sector is not required. 2+ years
experience leading small, diverse, cross functional/interdisciplinary teams highly
desired.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Commitment to attend and oversee the successful operation of concerts and
other APO activities, which mostly take place at night - Strong project management skills
- Ability to manage multiple organizational priorities on time and within
budget - Ability to work independently
- Ability to adapt, innovate, and take a practical-visionary approach to a small
organization’s big goals - Desire to promote classical music
- Professional written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and
passionate speaker and communicator who can tell the APO’s story to new
audiences - Compassionate, clear management skills when working with personnel and
volunteers - Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of programs
- Ability to use Google Docs, Sheets, and other tools for collaborative work
- Experience with or ability to learn event ticketing software and customer
relationship management systems
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Financial and budgeting acumen
- Marketing experience
- Comprehensive fundraising strategy awareness and experience
- Experience with nonprofit organization operations (ideally arts)