Manager Anchor Cultural Program📣 Job Ad

About Qiddiya and the Manager Anchor Cultural Program Role

Qiddiya, located just outside Riyadh, is Saudi Arabia's flagship destination for entertainment, sports, and culture, serving as a cornerstone of Vision 2030. Spanning over 360 km2, it is set to feature world-class attractions, including a Formula 1-grade racetrack, theme parks, major sports venues, and performance spaces. As a catalyst for economic diversification and job creation, Qiddiya is seeking a Manager Anchor Cultural Program to join its full-time team in Riyadh.

Role Purpose and Scope

The primary purpose of this role is to lead the planning and delivery of flagship cultural programs and anchor experiences. These programs are designed to serve as key attractions within Qiddiya's broader Cultural and Heritage program, contributing significantly to the destination's overall appeal and visitor engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage flagship cultural programs and signature experiences, defining concepts, themes, and formats to ensure they act as key attractions within the overall offering.
• Support the procurement of third-party partners to enable the development and delivery of cultural programming.
• Oversee the execution of major performances and anchor events, coordinating across multiple internal teams to ensure large-scale delivery aligned with operational, asset, and technical requirements.
• Manage relationships with high-profile performers, partners, and contributors, including coordinating contracts, schedules, and delivery requirements to ensure premium-quality experience delivery.
• Monitor the performance of anchor programs, tracking attendance, engagement, and visibility, and identifying opportunities to enhance impact and reach.
• Ensure anchor programs are seamlessly integrated within the broader programming calendar, aligning timing and positioning to maximize visitor flow and engagement.
• Contribute to the overall financial performance of cultural programs.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 7-10+ years of experience with a strong background in delivering large-scale, high-profile cultural programs, performances, or flagship experiences.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering high-impact, flagship programs or headline events within festivals, cultural platforms, or entertainment environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, high-visibility programs that attract large audiences and drive visitation.
• Experience working with high-profile performers, artists, cultural figures, strategic partners, and production entities.
• Experience in managing end-to-end delivery of large-scale productions, including technical, operational, and scheduling aspects.
• Experience in major national or international events, cultural festivals, or entertainment platforms.
• Exposure to large-scale productions or live performances is highly preferred.
• Experience in the pre-opening or launch phase of flagship programs is an advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong coordination and delivery capability, with the ability to manage complex, high-visibility programs.
• Strong understanding of program positioning, audience appeal, and experience design at scale.
• Ability to manage contracts, expectations, schedules, and delivery requirements for premium participants.
• Strong relationship management skills with senior stakeholders and partners.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple teams (Operations, Technical, Commercial, Marketing) to deliver complex programs.
• Proficiency in managing multi-layered program requirements, including staging, rehearsals, and live delivery.
• Ability to deliver programs effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with tight timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to develop programs that drive attendance, engagement, and commercial outcomes.
• Understanding of how anchor programs contribute to visitor attraction, dwell time, and sponsorship value.
• Experience aligning programming with commercial and marketing objectives.

Role Impact and Success Metrics

Success in this role will be measured by the attendance at anchor events, the level of visitor engagement and satisfaction with cultural programs, and the overall contribution of these programs to the broader success of Qiddiya's offerings. The Manager Anchor Cultural Program will play a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of this ambitious destination.