Career Center

The Amarillo Symphony seeks an experienced, visionary, and community-minded Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned arts administrator to steward a financially stable, artistically ambitious orchestra with a strong board, a talented staff, and deep roots in its community.

For over a century, the Amarillo Symphony has been a cultural cornerstone of the Texas Panhandle, delivering world-class orchestral performances and fostering a deep appreciation for music across a vast and vibrant region. Since its inception in 1924, the Symphony has evolved into a dynamic organization dedicated to artistic excellence, comprehensive educational programming, and innovative community engagement, serving an area that spans more than 25,000 square miles.

The Symphony's family of programs includes Chamber Music Amarillo (CMA), the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO), and the Greater Southwest Music Festival, as well as a robust education and community engagement program reaching nearly 19,000 students across 26 counties each year, including the String Fellowship Program in partnership with West Texas A&M University.

Amarillo itself offers an exceptional quality of life: a welcoming community, a vibrant and growing arts scene, an affordable cost of living, and the wide-open landscape and distinctive character of the Texas Panhandle.

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Amarillo Symphony and is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of the organization, including its family of programs: Chamber Music Amarillo, the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Greater Southwest Music Festival. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing visionary leadership in partnership with the Board of Directors, the Symphony Music Director, and the Chamber Music Amarillo Artistic Director
• Overseeing all financial operations, including budgeting, contracting, reporting, and long-term fiscal planning
• Leading and supporting a professional staff across development, operations, education, and marketing
• Cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and community partners
• Serving as the primary public representative and advocate for the Symphony in the community
• Supporting and advancing the Symphony's educational programs and community engagement initiatives, including ASYO, the String Fellowship Program, and the Greater Southwest Music Festival
• Working collaboratively with the Music Director and CMA Artistic Director on artistic planning and programming

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A minimum of five years of senior leadership experience in orchestra management or comparable nonprofit arts administration
• A demonstrated record of success in fundraising, donor relations, and revenue generation
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing organizational budgets
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and community engagement skills
• Experience working effectively with a volunteer board of directors
• A genuine passion for orchestral music and the performing arts

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to the Amarillo Symphony Search Committee at executivesearch@amarillosymphony.org.  Applications will be accepted through August 1, 2026. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2026.

The Amarillo Symphony is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.