President and Chief Executive Officer

The Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the American Pianists Association in the search for a President and Chief Executive Officer.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer will provide visionary and strategic leadership to the American Pianists Association (APA), ensuring the fulfillment of APA's mission to discover, promote, and advance the careers of young, American, world-class classical and jazz pianists. The President and Chief Executive Officer will provide leadership for all aspects of the organization and should be an exceptional leader with intellectual breadth, a creative mindset, and experience building partnerships, leading teams, and raising funds. The President and Chief Executive Officer will demonstrate a commitment to furthering APA's dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and an ability to continue the path forward toward more diversity and inclusion through meaningful improvements while supporting the professional growth and development of all members of the organization.

The American Pianists Association supports aspiring young artists through unique classical and jazz competitions. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the APA nurtures the artistic growth of America’s top young pianists by focusing on creative expression and career development. The largest and most prestigious support is given through a biennial competition known as the American Pianists Awards. Since its founding in 1979, the American Pianists Association has supported 48 American Pianists Awards winners.

The American Pianists Awards are held every two years, alternating classical and jazz, to discover the best aspiring young American pianists. These unique and innovative competitions span 13 months and provide a platform to deeply engage musical artists in a variety of creative formats and settings. With a cash prize and two years of career advancement and support valued at over $200,000, the American Pianists Awards offers one of the most coveted prizes in the music world and the largest for American jazz pianists. Part of the American Pianists Awards competition requires every finalist to complete a residency with a high school orchestra or jazz band. Residencies span three days and culminate in a joint public performance with school musicians. Known as Concerto Curriculum, this program brings the beauty of world-class music to new audiences and non-traditional venues, provides pedagogical growth for developing artists, and inspires new generations of young musicians.

Music is the artistic language of APA contestants, shaped by the diversity of the world around them. It delights, informs, and inspires. The American Pianists Association is committed to an environment for its artists, audiences, community partners, Board, and staff that is based on the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. It is actively enacting strategic and annual plans that provide focused, measurable strategies for living out these values every day.

The President and Chief Executive Officer should possess significant knowledge of the music industry and deep relationships within the industry nurtured over time. The President and Chief Executive Officer should be able to navigate all things musical to successfully lead the Association's biennial competition, the American Pianists Awards, while hiring and onboarding the Association's next Artistic Advisor. The President and Chief Executive Officer should be able to fluently articulate the meaning of music in their lives—a love of and appreciation for music being a critical component of the necessary skillset for this role. A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required for this position as is at least seven years of nonprofit leadership experience. Experience within a performing arts environment is highly preferred. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and resume. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the American Pianists Association as well as the responsibilities and qualifications stated in the position prospectus.

The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $200,000 annually.

To apply for this position, visit: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/1245.