Senior Guide

Sharjah Art Foundation; Sharjah; On-site; AED 89,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharjah Art Foundation in Sharjah is seeking a Senior Guide to elevate the visitor experience by leading tours, mentoring junior guides, and coordinating the delivery of information about exhibitions and programmes. You will collaborate with the Guest Relations team on events and ensure smooth operations across all venues.

The role requires a Bachelor's Degree in Art/Culture/Tourism and 4–6 years of guiding or visitor services experience, fluent Arabic and English, and a willingness to work

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Art, Culture, Tourism, or related field.
• Minimum 4-6 years guiding, visitor services, or museum education.
• Experience training or supervising junior staff.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking.
• Fluency in Arabic and English; additional languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead guided tours of current exhibitions and provide insights.
• Mentor junior guides and oversee tour delivery.
• Coordinate pre- and post-guiding activities, including research and feedback.
• Manage information centres, ticket bookings, and visitor directions.
• Greet visitors and share information about SAF and programmes.
• Handle complaints and de-escalate issues as needed.
• Ensure visitor comfort and safety; assist with events and guest flow.
• Support with event rundowns, guest lists, seating, and headcounts.
• Collect visitor data and help build the SAF database.
• Mentor interns and support team development.

Skills

Public speaking

Leadership

Bilingual Arabic/English

Visitor services

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Art/Culture/Tourism

Job description

Reporting to: Head of VIP and Guest Relations
Job location: Sharjah Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Application deadline : The job is open until filled

Roles and Responsibilities

Working alongside Head of VIP & Guest Relations, the Senior Guide plays a key role in shaping the visitor experience by leading guided tours, mentoring junior guides, and overseeing the delivery of information about the Foundation’s exhibitions and programmes, while collaborating with the Guest Relations team on the organization and execution of events.

• Handle different visitor group categories according to their seniority. Groups include but not limited to VIP, official delegations, art professionals, schools, press and regular visitors.
• Lead guided tours of current exhibitions, delivering insight on works and addressing any related inquiries.
• Manage the pre- and post-guiding process, including research, following the suggested itinerary, preparing welcome packs, and evaluating tour outcomes through feedback.
• Oversee and manageinformation centres and desks across all venues, including ticket and slot bookings, providing directions and guidance, and responding to visitors' questions.
• Greet visitors at the entrance and provide general information about SAF, its exhibitions and programmes.
• Handle complaints and issues as they arise, working to de-escalate situations and reach appropriate resolutions.
• Ensure the comfort and safety of visitors at all times.
• Review and forward visitors' feedback to the direct manager before submission to management.
• Assist with organizing events according to assigned tasks and duties, such as welcoming, ticketing, scanning, seating, and headcounts.
• Support Guest Relations, with greeting and connecting guests to senior members during official events.
• Assist Guest Relations with event rundowns and guest flow.
• Coordinate with Guest Relations on guest lists and seating arrangements for private dinners and events.
• Work with Guest Relations with collecting accurate visitor data and building the database.
• Mentor new guides and interns, transferring knowledge on exhibitions, tour protocols, and teamwork standards.
• Support the continued training and development of the team to maintain high performance standards.
• Perform office and administrative duties as assigned.
• Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required by senior management.

Required Experience, Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's Degree, in Art, Culture, Tourism, or a related field.
• Minimum 4-6 years of experience in guiding, visitor services, or museum/gallery education.
• Prior experience training or supervising junior staff.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Leadership and mentoring ability.
• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills.
• Fluency in Arabic and English (additional languages a plus).
• Strong knowledge of art and culture.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills.