Assistant Director, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment

Job Description:
Assistant Director, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment

Purpose:

Under the general direction of the Director, this position is responsible for exercising independent judgment and for assisting the Director in planning, directing, managing, and overseeing the activities, service operations, budgets, programs, and personnel of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME). This role includes directing personnel who provide programmatic, financial, and managerial support for the department.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Oversees the planning, execution, and evaluation of existing and future programs and services that promote arts, culture, music, and entertainment throughout the city.
• Assists the Director with developing and implementing short- and long-term goals and initiatives that align with the department's mission and City priorities.
• Assists the Director with managing assigned divisions, staff, and programs, ensuring efficient workflows, high-quality service delivery, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Assists the Director with preparing and managing operating and capital budgets, monitors expenditures, and identifies funding opportunities to support department programs and projects.
• Assists the Director with developing departmental policies and procedures and ensures all activities comply with Local, State, and Federal laws and City regulations.
• Serves as a spokesperson for the department at City Council meetings, boards and commissions, and with community organizations to promote initiatives and respond to concerns.
• Promotes a culture of service excellence, accountability, and collaboration among staff, partners, and the public.
• Identifies staffing needs, mentors emerging leaders, and implements training and development strategies that strengthen team capacity and support long-term department goals.
• Implements systems to measure program effectiveness, tracks departmental performance, and uses data to inform policy, planning, and resource allocation.
• Prepares business plans, policy documents, and performance reports for executive leadership, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities: selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of municipal government budget planning and preparation, public administration financing, and purchasing regulations.
• Knowledge of public policy development and analysis.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of management and personnel principles and practices.
• Knowledge of research techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Skill in directing the activities of a complex and diverse organization.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in evaluating bids and making recommendations.
• Skill in developing, implementing, and evaluating activities and programs.
• Ability to communicate complex and technical issues in non-technical terms to the public.
• Ability to plan strategically.
• Ability to plan and schedule operations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, the public, elected officials, and boards and commissions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economic Development, Urban Planning, or in a related field to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in management of projects and programs related to the job, including two (2) years of experience which were in a managerial capacity.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-management experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None.

Notes to Candidate:

The ideal Assistant Director is a leader skilled at operational management, program evaluation, marketing strategy, and facility oversight. They should be an exceptional communicator, an effective spokesperson, and a champion of community-centered cultural services. A highly competitive candidate will posses the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Budgeting Experience - Ability to oversee budget development and administration, including forecasting, expenditure approval, and adjustments. Ensures the department's financial resources support its strategic goals.
• Community Collaborator - Experience in presenting strategies to internal and external stakeholders on projects and programs that may include public outreach, City Council updates, and program implementation.
• Marketing Experience - Experience understanding audience needs, analyzing market trends, and using data to shape outreach efforts that build trust, strengthen engagement, and enhance the organization's reputation.
• Department Leadership & Strategy - Ability to lead the development and implementation of departmental goals, policies, and staffing priorities; ensures alignment with citywide objectives and allocates resources accordingly.
• Cross Departmental Collaboration: Ability to coordinate closely with other City departments and external agencies.
• Social Intelligence - Ability to connect to others in a deep and direct way; to sense reactions and stimulate desired interactions.
• Customer Focused - Strives to deliver high-quality results and superior service that exceeds expectations while remaining mindful of the needs and perspectives of both internal and external customers.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application. Please be sure to upload your Resume and Cover Letter for consideration.
• Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
• Employment history dates must include month and year.
• This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).
• To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by August 30, 2026. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.
• This position is subject to the Texas Open Records Act.

The salary range is $161,000-$171,000 annually.

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

To view a detailed recruitment profile for this position, please click here.

If you are selected as a top candidate:
Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.