Senior Director, Programming & Producing

Arts House Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Arts House Ltd is seeking a Lead Programming Manager to direct impactful arts festivals and programming initiatives. This role is pivotal in fostering partnerships, executing the Singapore International Festival of Arts and enhancing community engagement. Ideal candidates should have a robust history in arts leadership, excellent communication skills, and in-depth knowledge of Singapore's arts landscape. The position demands flexibility outside of standard hours due to events and programming requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant leadership experience in arts programming and event management.
• Proven track record in stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work outside of regular hours due to festival demands.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of festivals and programming strategies for AHL.
• Collaborate with teams to enhance AHL’s brand identity.
• Oversee annual budget and mentor staff.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Organizational Skills

Education

Degree in Arts or Social Sciences

Job description

Job Purpose

• Lead the development and delivery of impactful, high-quality programmes and festivals across Arts House Limited’s (AHL) venues and platforms.

• Play a key role in fostering strategic partnerships, advancing AHL’s artistic direction, and contributing to the vibrancy and development of Singapore’s arts sector.

• The role includes:

(a) Flagship Festival Oversight: Direct the planning and execution of AHL’s flagship festival; i.e. Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), and Singapore Writers Festival (SWF); to achieve defined outcomes and key performance indicators (KPIs) in alignment with strategic objectives.

(b) Venue Programming Leadership: Conceive, manage, and oversee year-round programming for all AHL centres; i.e. The Arts House, Aliwal Arts Centre, Goodman Arts Centre, and Stamford Arts Centre. This includes spearheading place-making initiatives and AHL’s education and literary outreach initiatives.

(c) Cultural Medallion Showcase Oversight: Oversee and expand the Cultural Medallion Showcase offerings.

(d ) Championing Partnership and Growth Strategy: Develop and implement strategies, partnerships, and operational processes that enhance programme quality, increase impact, and support AHL’s long-term growth and sustainability within the local and regional arts scene.

Duties and responsibilities

Festivals

• Lead the team in the development and execution of signature programmes and projects in line with the programming strategies of AHL to reach out to targeted audiences

• Overall responsibility for festival operations and monitors progress which include budgets, timelines and governance, reporting to Executive Director and in line with the programme vision and direction of the respective Festival Directors

• Lead coordination of collaboration with Marketing team as well as Partnership Development & Communications team in the promotion of festival programmes, as well as cultivating and maintaining stakeholder relationship to build towards AHL’s brand identity

• Supports Partnership Development to canvas and secure sponsorships for arts events and works with the Executive Director to build a network of AHL advocates.

• Collaborate with the venue programming team to align overall programming/production and maximise the impact of AHL programmes.

• Lead execution as needed and designated, other AHL festivals, projects and events

• Lead stakeholder management efforts, including liaising with key partners such as theNational Arts Council (NAC)to ensure strategic alignment with national arts strategies and funding frameworks.

Venue Programmes

• Lead the team to develop strategies and plans for AHL centre programmes including developing synergies with SIFA and SWF.

• Lead the organization of signature programmes of AHL centres.

• Work closely with the Management to articulate the direction of centres and their signature programmes and provide leadership and expertise to the team

• Develop and manage the relationships with artists (especially artist tenants), partnering arts institutions and stakeholders to constantly seek opportunities for partnership and audience growth.

• Works closely with the other departments to build customer/stakeholder relationships and contribute to the brand identity of AHL.

• Works closely with the Partnership Team to seek out and obtain support including making recommendations for arts grants and facilitating content development for AHL events.

• Lead the development of education and outreach initiatives for AHL which includes extending programmes for events and Cultural Medallion showcase.

Administration and Budget Management

• Manage the overall performance, output, key objectives and health of the department.

• Manage the annual budget and other resources.

• Ensure sound contracting and budgeting processes, adhering to AHL’s procurement guidelines.

• Mentor and develop staff, fostering a culture of excellence and professional growth.

Others

• Any other duties and responsibilities as and when assigned by AHL Management

Education

• Degree in Arts, Social Sciences, or equivalent professional experience with deep artistic knowledge and contextual understanding of the arts in Singapore and the region.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant leadership experience in arts programming, production, and event management.

• Track record in curating or leading successful artistic initiatives and events in the public or private arts sector.

• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership development.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in an additional Asian language is advantageous.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

• Passionate about the arts and sensitive to cultural and social dynamics.

• Knowledge of Singapore’s arts ecosystem and familiarity with regional and international trends.

Working conditions

Due to the nature of arts festivals, it is crucial to be able to work outside of regular office hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays