The Nashville Symphony has hired Andrea Dillenburg, the executive director of the Nashville Ballet since 2006, to be its new vice president of external affairs.

Dillenburg, who will start her new job in early May, replaces Susan Plageman, who recently took a job with her hometown orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony. Dillenburg will manage the Symphony’s combined development, marketing and communications operations.

“Andrea is uniquely qualified for her new position with the Symphony,” said President and CEO Alan Valentine. “She comes to us with more than 20 years of leadership experience in marketing and development with several prominent arts organizations, prior to her current position at Nashville Ballet. All of us at the Symphony are truly excited to have the opportunity to work with her.”

Dan Slipkovich, president of Nashville Ballet’s board and CEO of Capella Healthcare, praised Dillenburg for her work in spearheading the organization’s long-term strategic planning. “Given the strength of the relationship between the Ballet and the Symphony, we expect that even though Andrea has left the Ballet, we will continue to enjoy a strong working relationship with her.”

Dillenburg started her career in Washington, D.C., and worked in marketing for the Tennessee Repertory Theatre and Nashville Ballet before moving to Atlanta in 1999. She returned to Nashville seven years later.