Chief Executive Officer

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural organization in the UK is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to guide its transition and renewal. The role requires strategic, financial, and artistic leadership while ensuring community engagement and representation. The ideal candidate should have experience in managing arts organizations and be ready to navigate the challenges of the evolving cultural landscape. This position offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in vibrant relationships and nurture creativity within the community.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership skills with a focus on community engagement.
• Experience in managing arts organizations or festivals.
• Ability to navigate complex political and financial environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization through a period of transition and renewal.
• Provide strategic, financial, and cultural leadership.
• Collaborate with the Board, staff, artists, and communities.

Job description

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) is the UK’s leading celebration of Arab arts and cultures. We are a small team that delivers huge impact - rooted in Liverpool’s communities yet connected to artists and audiences across the world. Our work is grounded in representation, collaboration, and exchange, bringing Arab creativity and perspectives to the heart of the UK’s cultural landscape.

As Chief Executive Officer, you will lead this unique organisation through a pivotal period of transition and renewal. Working closely with the Board, staff team, freelance workers, artists, communities and partners, you will provide strategic, financial, artistic and cultural leadership - ensuring that LAAF continues to thrive in an increasingly complex political, social, and financial climate. This is a deeply rewarding role that calls for someone who is rigorous, transparent, and community-minded; someone who understands both the practical challenges of running an arts organisation and a live festival, year-round events and engagement projects, and the responsibility of representing communities whose stories matter.

The ideal candidate will be ready to immerse themselves in the relationships and networks that keep LAAF alive, and to lead with creativity, care, and conviction.