Culture Resource: Director Position

Culture Resource (Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy) is seeking a Director to lead the organization in realizing its vision of an Arab region where cultural diversity is celebrated, and creativity, inclusivity, and equity are promoted. The ideal candidate believes in the organization’s core values—access to culture for all, the rights of artists to free expression, community engagement, inclusivity, collaboration, trust, diversity, transparency, support, and preservation. This role involves working closely with an experienced team and understanding the diverse histories and complex political and socio-economic contexts of the countries where the organization operates. The Director will collaborate with the team to develop and adapt programs that meet the sector’s evolving needs and opportunities, continually evaluating and refining them as necessary. The Director will also be responsible for identifying and securing partners and resources to support the work of the organization.  

About Culture Resource (Al-Mawred AL-Thaqafy)

Culture Resource is one of the prominent independent cultural organizations in the Arab region. Founded in 2004, the work of Culture Resource is governed by a General Assembly, consisting of 36 members from the Arab region and Belgium, which votes every three years for the Artistic Board. The organization continuously aims to broaden the circle of those benefiting from its services and to effectively respond to political, social, and cultural changes in the region. As a result of its activities and services over the years, Culture Resource has been able to support the work of over 2,350 artists, writers, and cultural managers, and 400 organizations and initiatives, and engage with thousands of audience members in the region through the various public events it organizes. Consequently, Culture Resource represents one of the most successful civil society initiatives in culture in the region and has earned great respect at both the regional and international levels.  

The Team

We are a learning organization, open to new perspectives and committed to continuous development, experimentation, and pioneering. Our team of 16 colleagues shares a passion for the arts and culture, and we work enthusiastically to support, inform, and grow the arts and culture ecosystem in the Arab region. We dedicate time to developing and designing programs based on a participatory assessment of the sector’s needs. Our approach is process-oriented and inclusive. Our office is located in Beirut, and we work flexibly.  

The Qualities We Are Looking For

• A collaborative leader with the ability to inspire and manage a diverse team.
• A clear vision for developing and expanding the organization’s impact and outreach.
• Proven ability to maintain strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders and represent the organization publicly with confidence and integrity.

 

Responsibilities

The Director will play a key role in leading and shaping the strategic direction of Culture Resource, ensuring its alignment with the organization’s mission and values. As the key representative of the organization, the Director will manage day-to-day operations, lead a diverse team, and strengthen the organization’s foundation for continued growth and relevance. The Director reports to the Artistic Board and works closely with the General Assembly and a wide network of stakeholders to support the organization’s development and strengthen its presence regionally and internationally. The key tasks and responsibilities for this position include:

• Provide strategic leadership to shape the organization’s direction, ensuring alignment with Culture Resource’s mission and values.
• Ensure governance principles are followed, maintaining high accountability standards across operations. Support the effective functioning of the Artistic Board and General Assembly meetings by ensuring that decisions are implemented transparently and in alignment with the organization’s statutes and strategic goals.
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of programs, incorporating team input and responding to the sector’s evolving needs while upholding the organization’s mission. Establish criteria for ongoing program evaluation and improvement.
• Manage, motivate, and develop a diverse team, fostering an inclusive, collaborative work environment. Oversee daily operations, including team performance, recruitment, training and learning opportunities, and integration.
• Manage financial resources while developing strategies to secure funding and explore new revenue sources to ensure financial sustainability.
• Represent the organization at key cultural and artistic events, both regionally and internationally, strengthening current relationships with partners, donors, and cultural organizations, while also fostering new connections.

 

Required Experience & Skills

• Experience in a senior leadership position within the non-profit, cultural, or creative sectors with a minimum of 10 years of work experience.
• University degree in business administration, arts, communications, or a related field.
• Fluency in both written and spoken Arabic and English. French language skills are a plus.
• Strong understanding of the cultural landscape in the Arab region and internationally, with experience in cross-cultural collaborations.
• Excellent ability to communicate, connect, and interact with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Proven success in fundraising, financial planning, team management, and program evaluation.
• Strong experience in strategic planning and program development.
• Strong understanding of governance principles and ability to work closely with the organization’s Artistic Board and General Assembly members across various Arab countries.
• Ability to travel and demonstrated ability to work under stress and in times of crisis.

 

What We Offer

• Basic salary scale of $60,000 to $85,000 annually based on experience and qualifications, topped with other benefits (monetary and professional development).
• The opportunity to actively contribute to shaping the arts and culture ecosystem on a regional level and through global networks.
• A dynamic, diverse, inclusive, and hybrid working environment with a committed and professional team.

 

Application Details 

Interested applicants for the position of Director of Culture Resource should send their completed applications to jobs@mawred.org no later than 22 April, 2025, including the following:

1. A Curriculum Vitae (maximum of 3 pages).
2. A cover letter in Arabic (maximum of 3 pages) outlining your motivation for applying and your vision for the future of Culture Resource.
3. The names of two professional references, including the contact number, email, and your relationship to each reference.

A committee consisting of 5 members of Culture Resource’s General Assembly will review the applications and determine the applicants who will be invited for an online interview, followed by an in-person interview in May 2025 for the finalist candidates only.  

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