Bilingual Cultural Manager (Arabic)

Bilingual Cultural Manager (Arabic)

UAE

AED 30-40,000 per month

This exciting newly created role requires fluent Arabic and English and someone who is degree educated, with strong experience in either cultural organization, government entities or cultural foundations etc. The Manager is responsible for overseeing the Foundation’s strategic and operational development, ensuring its vision and missions are translated into sustainable, high-impact programs. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Manager will oversee the organisation and its subsidiaries, guide institution-building efforts, and drive creative revenue-generation strategies rooted in cultural programming and innovation. This is regarded as a senior role reporting into the leadership team. Please respect the criteria requirements and only apply if you meet these as you will not be considered if you do not.

Description:

  • Strategic leadership and organizational development
  • Translate the CEO intellectual vision and the organisation’s mission into a multi-year institutional strategy with clear goals and milestones
  • Develop, implement, and monitor structures, policies, and workflows across the organisation and its subsidiaries
  • Drive the institutional development of existing entities and the creation of new ones aligned with the organisation's mission
  • Operational oversight of subsidiaries
  • Ensure effective management, synergy, and growth across all subsidiaries
  • Define and oversee development of shared resources, systems and tools to support subsidiary autonomy within a unified strategic framework
  • Co-design and support cultural events, academic programs, publications, and other forms of outreach to foster intercultural dialogues
  • Financial sustainability and resource mobilization
  • Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal planning for the organisation and its subsidiaries
  • Guide teams to explore and launch creative revenue models such as digital platforms, apps, online courses, and subscription-based content
  • Build and mentor teams across all departments, including hiring, HR policy oversight, and performance evaluation
  • Serve as liaison between the CEO and operational teams, ensuring clarity, accountability, and execution of vision.
  • Technology, Digital Strategy and Innovation
  • Identify opportunities to leverage technology, particularly AI and digital media, to amplify the organisation's reach and impact
  • Integrate technology and innovation into the institution’s operations and strategies.
  • Oversee the creation and maintenance of websites, online archives, and virtual learning platforms
  • Content Development & Knowledge Management
  • Talent Management & Governance
  • Guide departmental activities, including but not limited to strategic planning, operations, research and development (R&D), and marketing, to maintain high performance standards
  • Serve as liaison between the CEO and operational teams, ensuring clarity, accountability, and execution of vision.
  • Technology, Digital Strategy & Innovation

Criteria:

  • Fluent Arabic and English
  • Someone who can present strategies to senior management in a confident articulate manner
  • This role is open to candidates who meet the criteria within the UAE, GCC, or Middle East. Some experience in the UAE would be preferable but isn’t essential if you have relevant cultural leadership experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Management, Public Policy, Arts & Culture Management, Finance, or a related field
  • Master’s degree in strategic management, Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration, Cultural Management, International Relations, Social Sciences, or a relevant discipline is highly advantageous
  • Able to manage multiple projects at any one time
  • Excellent team management and development, strong leadership qualities
  • Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Certification, Project & Program Management Certification (PMP / PRINCE2 or equivalent) would be an added advantage
  • Considered decision making
  • Strong experience in either cultural organization, government entities or cultural foundations etc. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development, Digital Innovation, Organizational Development
  • A strategist with strong cultural awareness and advocacy, creativity and innovation, vision translation and execution focus, adaptability and resilience, accountability and integrity
  • Organizational Development
  • Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in strategic management, institutional development, foundation/non-profit management, cultural organizations, government entities
  • Experience in Cultural Program & Event Management

Please respect the criteria requirements and only apply if you meet these as you will not be considered if you do not. We thank you for your application, however due to the high volume of candidate applications, we only accept online applications in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted, however if you are not successful on this occasion, your CV will be stored on our database but to make sure you do not miss out, keep checking our website, follow us on Twitter and follow our Sapphire Recruitment LinkedIn page.

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