Careers
The Oregon Symphony looks to employ talented, driven, and forward-thinking people to help bring the power of music to hundreds of thousands in and around the Portland community. We welcome anyone with these assets and passions to consider joining our dedicated and innovative team.
Auditions
The official pitch of the Oregon Symphony is A=440 Hz.
Second Horn
Audition to be held September 22-24, 2026
Employment to begin at winning candidate’s earliest convenience.
Section base compensation for the 2026-2027, 40-week season: $71,545.62 (inclusive of EMG, premium pay, and instrument maintenance/insurance allowance)
Applications must be received no later than August 11, 2026.
Benefits include fully paid medical/dental insurance, LTD, AFM pension plan, and paid parking.
Fill out your application and submit your resume and deposit online: Oregon Symphony Second Horn Audition Application.
Applications accepted until August 11, 2026.
The Oregon Symphony is a proud partner of the National Alliance for Audition Support.
Section Viola
Audition to be held November 16-18, 2026
Employment to begin September 2027.
Section base compensation for the 2026-2027, 40-week season: $71,545.62 (inclusive of EMG, premium pay, and instrument maintenance/insurance allowance)
Applications must be received no later than October 1, 2026.
Benefits include fully paid medical/dental insurance, LTD, AFM pension plan, and paid parking.
Audition Repertoire Packet will be posted no later than August 23, 2026.
Fill out your application and submit your resume and deposit online: Oregon Symphony Section Viola Audition Application.
Applications accepted until October 1, 2026.
The Oregon Symphony is a proud partner of the National Alliance for Audition Support.
Administrative Employment Opportunities
Director of Development, Planned and Major Gifts
Join the Oregon Symphony Team as our Director of Development, Planned and Major Gifts!
As our Director of Development, Planned and Major Gifts, you will help shape the future of the Oregon Symphony by building meaningful relationships with donors whose generosity sustains our mission for generations to come. Through strategic major gift fundraising, planned giving, and thoughtful donor stewardship, you'll play a key role in advancing philanthropic support and strengthening the Symphony's long-term financial future. Here's how you'll make a difference:
- Build and manage a portfolio of major and planned giving donors and prospects, developing meaningful relationships that inspire transformational philanthropy.
- Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align donor passions with the Symphony's mission.
- Lead the Oregon Symphony's planned giving program, expanding legacy giving opportunities and encouraging long-term philanthropic investment.
- Prepare compelling major, blended, and planned gift proposals that help donors achieve their charitable goals while advancing organizational priorities.
- Partner with the Vice President of Development, Board members, and fellow fundraisers to cultivate and solicit high-capacity donors.
- Mentor Development team members on planned giving strategies and emerging gift opportunities, strengthening fundraising capacity across the department.
- Create planned giving materials and donor communications that clearly communicate the impact of philanthropy.
- Represent the Symphony at donor meetings, concerts, cultivation events, and community gatherings, building lasting relationships with supporters.
- Monitor portfolio performance, donor activity, and fundraising progress to help achieve annual and long-term revenue goals.
This role is pivotal in helping ensure the Oregon Symphony's artistic excellence continues to flourish for generations to come. If you're passionate about building lasting donor relationships and creating meaningful philanthropic partnerships, we'd love to have you on the team.
Download the PDF for a complete job description.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree and at least five years of fundraising experience with a focus on major and planned gifts, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of one year of direct planned giving experience.
- Demonstrated success securing major and planned gifts and managing donor portfolios.
- Strong understanding of planned giving strategies and donor-centered fundraising.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
- Experience with donor CRM systems; Tessitura experience strongly preferred.
- Collaborative leadership style with a passion for mentoring colleagues and advancing organizational fundraising goals.
We Offer:
- A chance to be part of a respected and mission-driven organization.
- A collaborative Development team focused on building meaningful donor relationships and lasting community impact.
- An opportunity to help shape the future of one of the nation's leading orchestras through transformational philanthropy.
Status and Compensation:
This is a full-time, exempt position currently following a hybrid work model with 2-3 days per week in the office. Regular evening and weekend attendance at donor events, concerts, and cultivation activities is expected.
Salary Range: $95-100k
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, long-term disability insurance, and retirement plan.
How to Apply:
If you're ready to help inspire transformational philanthropy and build lasting relationships that support the future of the Oregon Symphony, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@orsymphony.org with the job title in the subject line.
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The Oregon Symphony is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Join the symphony
The Oregon Symphony is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of the organization. We seek to develop a diverse candidate pool and welcome nominations and applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or national origin.
If you are interested in applying to a posted administrative job opening, please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@orsymphony.org with the job title in the subject line. No phone inquiries, please. All submissions will be held in confidence.