The posting
Black Pearl Consult is seeking an accomplished Director of Arts, Culture & Public Engagement to provide senior-level leadership across cultural strategy, international artistic partnerships, cultural diplomacy, business development, and strategic stakeholder engagement. The Director will lead the strategic direction of international artistic collaborations, co-commissions, co-productions, diplomatic relationships, and revenue-generating initiatives. Acting as a key advisor to executive leadership, the incumbent will oversee cultural programming, research intelligence, executive dossiers, public affairs, and the foundation's international positioning across global creative networks. Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic Cultural Relations & Global Partnerships Formulate and implement the organization's overarching cultural diplomacy and international partnership strategies. Establish, formalize, and expand direct relationships with world-class cultural institutions, arts centers, global festivals, and governmental/diplomatic bodies. Structure and execute formal institutional frameworks, including Letters of Cooperation, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), co-production agreements, and strategic alliances. Identify continuous opportunities to elevate the foundation's institutional profile across regional and international creative ecosystems. 2. Cultural Programming, Co-Commissions & Artistic Excellence Direct the collaborative development of flagship international programming, co-commissions, and co-productions with global partner organizations. Maintain high curatorial, artistic, and ethical standards across all artistic initiatives and public cultural offerings. Foster long-term relationships with international curators, artists, creative practitioners, and festival directors. 3. Cultural Diplomacy & Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with local and international diplomatic partners, embassies, ministries of culture, and international cultural bodies. Oversee cultural diplomacy initiatives, leading specialized projects involving foreign missions and international delegates. Manage high-level engagements, official receptions, and interactions involving Royal Protocol, VIPs, and international dignitaries. 4. Business Development & Revenue Growth Identify, develop, and secure new sponsorship, philanthropic, and commercial business development opportunities. Author and deliver executive pitch decks, strategic proposals, funding presentations, and co-branding proposals. Lead high-stakes negotiations with strategic partners, philanthropic entities, and potential corporate funders. 5. 5. Executive Intelligence, Research & Dossiers Direct ongoing research into global cultural trends, emerging artistic movements, audience dynamics, and international festival landscapes. Prepare executive briefing notes, strategic background research, meeting briefs, and comprehensive dossiers for leadership ahead of international delegations. Recommend strategic international trips, conference appearances, award recognitions, and global forum participation for leadership. 6. International Networks & Institutional Representation Manage organizational memberships and active participation in international networks such as UNESCO, ECOSOC, the European Festivals Association, and related bodies. Represent the foundation at key regional and international cultural summits, panel discussions, and industry conferences. 7. Public Affairs, Thought Leadership & Sector Influence Direct public affairs communication strategies that strengthen relationships with strategic partners and public stakeholders. Lead the creation of thought-leadership assets, including cultural white papers, policy briefs, research reports, executive speeches, and media messaging. Moderate high-profile panel discussions, public forums, and cultural symposiums. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Arts Management, Cultural Policy, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Master’s degree in Cultural Policy, Arts Administration, International Relations, International Diplomacy, or a related field. 10+ years of progressive senior-level experience within cultural affairs, arts administration, cultural diplomacy, international partnerships, stakeholder engagement, business development, or related areas. Experience within a leading cultural institution, foundation, festival, government cultural entity, international arts organization, creative industry organization, or comparable environment. Demonstrated experience developing and managing high-level relationships with government entities, diplomatic missions, cultural institutions, international festivals, artists, and senior stakeholders. Proven track record of developing and negotiating MOUs, strategic partnerships, co-commissions, co-productions, and international cultural collaborations. Experience developing high-level proposals, pitch decks, partnership strategies, sponsorship proposals, and executive presentations. Demonstrated experience working across multiple countries and cultures, preferably including the GCC and international markets. Exposure to royal protocol, VIP engagement, government relations, or diplomatic environments is highly desirable. To view other vacancies we have, please check our website (www.blackpearlconsult.com) and follow us on our social media accounts - LinkedIn / Instagram Follow the Black Pearl channel on WhatsApp. Disclaimer: Black Pearl will never ask for money or any form of charge our candidates just to process or consider their application for any of our available vacancies. If you happen to receive such a request from any members of our staff or other individuals claiming to be part of Black Pearl, please do call our office at +9712 622 55 03 or drop us a message on our website - www.blackpearlconsult.com.
