Local Talent and Community Programming Manager

THA by ARMONIA; Riyadh; Hybrid; SAR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

THA by ARMONIA is seeking a Local Talent and Community Programming Manager to lead the festival’s local and regional programming in Riyadh. The role focuses on Saudi and regional clubs, Arabic-language creators, universities, grassroots communities, and cultural moments, ensuring the content feels integral to the festival from day one.

You will personally build the local and regional programme, coordinating with the international clubs and creators lead, and ensuring cultural and regulatory

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience in gaming, esports, entertainment or major live events in Saudi Arabia or the region at Senior Manager level.
• Experience across at least two live event seasons.
• Proven record of personally producing local and regional programming.
• Fluent Arabic and English are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead local and regional programming, including Saudi and regional clubs, creators, grassroots and community competitions, Arabic-language and cultural moments, and local talent.
• Build a prioritised list of local content opportunities from national moments, the host-city calendar and community activity.
• Integrate local content with the international programme so it feels like one festival.
• Coordinate day-to-day with Saudi and regional clubs, creators, universities, grassroots organisations and agencies.
• Maintain the local partner log so every relationship and commitment is tracked.
• Make sure all local content meets cultural and regulatory requirements.
• Capture local audience response to inform the programme across both events.

Skills

Local content programming

Stakeholder coordination

Arabic & English fluency

Live events planning

Festival programming

Audience insight

Job description

We are recruiting a Local Talent and Community Programming Manager to join a dedicated, full-time team embedded in our client’s Festival Programming function in Riyadh. The team will support two major events in Saudi Arabia: a flagship event in summer 2027 (July to August) and a further event in November 2027.

You will lead the festival’s local and regional programming, working alongside the international clubs and creators lead. You will bring in:

• Saudi and regional clubs
• Arabic-speaking creators
• Universities
• Grassroots and community tournaments
• Cultural and national moments

You will build this local content into the main programme rather than running it as a side show, so it feels like part of the festival from day one. You will also make sure all local content meets cultural and regulatory requirements.

This is a hands-on producing role. The grade reflects your seniority and judgement, not the size of a team you supervise. We are looking for a programmer who personally builds the local and regional programme.

Key Responsibilities

Local and Regional Programming

• Lead local and regional programming, including Saudi and regional clubs, creators, grassroots and community competitions, Arabic-language and cultural moments, and local talent.
• Build a prioritised list of local content opportunities from national moments, the host-city calendar and community activity.

Programme Integration

• Integrate local content with the international programme rather than running it alongside.
• Work with the international clubs and creators lead so that local and international content feel like one festival.

Partner Coordination

• Coordinate day to day with Saudi and regional clubs, creators, universities, grassroots organisations and agencies.
• Maintain the local partner log so every relationship and commitment is tracked.

Cultural and Regulatory Compliance

• Make sure all local content meets cultural and regulatory requirements.
• Flag and resolve compliance issues early in the planning process.

Audience Insight

• Capture local audience response to inform the programme across both events.

• At least 8 years of experience in gaming, esports, entertainment or major live events in Saudi Arabia or the region, at Senior Manager level.
• Experience across at least two live event seasons.
• A proven record of personally producing local and regional programming. Only experience where you personally produced the work counts towards the requirement.

Ideal Background

• An entertainment, community or live events programmer with strong, existing contacts across Saudi and regional clubs, creators and grassroots communities.
• Established relationships with Saudi and regional clubs, creators, communities and grassroots organisations are a strong advantage.

Languages

• Fluent Arabic and English are required.

Working Conditions

• Full-time and exclusive: you will be dedicated to the client for the full contract term, with no other clients or projects.
• Working options: work remotely on Riyadh hours (Sunday to Thursday), with travel to Riyadh and event locations as directed, or be based at the client’s office in Riyadh.
• On site in Riyadh: you must be in Riyadh for the full operating periods of the summer 2027 event (July to August) and the November 2027 event, whichever working option you choose.

• A competitive package for the duration of a 14-month contract, with the potential to extend by up to 3 months
• Flexible working, with a remote option during the planning phase
• A senior, hands-on role in a dedicated specialist team embedded with a major client
• Valuable experience on one of the region’s most high-profile live events programmes