Job description

Role Purpose Lead this Arts and Culture programme as a flagship cultural destination and operating business, with overall accountability for strategy, performance, governance, stakeholder leadership, and long-term value creation.
The role is responsible for setting the strategic direction and operating model for the asset, leading pre-opening readiness and post-opening performance, and delivering a distinctive cultural proposition, strong commercial outcomes, and operational excellence in line with shareholder objectives and QIC governance requirements.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Business Performance - Lead the overall strategy, operating model, and business plan of this arts and culture programme - Own full P&L accountability, including budgeting, forecasting, financial performance, and cost control - Drive commercial growth and delivery of approved business objectives across key revenue streams Pre-Opening & Asset Mobilization • Lead establishment and mobilization of the operating company ahead of opening • Ensure readiness across people, processes, systems, governance, and operational interfaces • Lead cross-functional coordination with development and delivery teams to ensure readiness for opening Operational Leadership • Lead overall operational performance and delivery of approved operating and financial plans • Ensure safe, efficient, guest-centric operations and continuous improvement in service quality and performance • Oversee operational resilience, service standards, and asset-wide readiness across the destination Cultural Proposition & Overall Experience • Set the strategic direction for cultural proposition and overall visitor experience • Ensure cultural programming reflects national heritage, strengthens destination positioning, and supports commercial objectives • Oversee programming and guest experience performance as key drivers of visitation and asset success Stakeholder & External Relations • Lead relationships with government entities, cultural institutions, strategic partners, and other key external stakeholders • Represent this programme in matters relating to strategic partnerships, external coordination, and destination positioning • Secure stakeholder alignment and support on matters critical to the asset’s positioning, approvals, and long-term success Governance, Reporting & Shareholder Interface • Act as the primary interface to Asset Management and QIC on business performance, strategic matters, and key risks • Ensure the arts and culture operates in line with shareholder objectives, governance requirements, and delegated authorities • Coordinate effectively with centralized and shared functions to ensure alignment with QIC priorities and operating requirements Organizational Leadership • Build and lead a high-performing leadership team across all core functions • Set a culture of accountability, performance, and cross-functional collaboration across the organization • Define clear roles, decision rights, and performance expectations to support effective execution • Drive talent development, succession planning, and organizational capability building Key Success Metrics - Successful establishment of the operating company and readiness for opening - Revenue performance and delivery against approved operating budgets - Operational excellence across safety, service quality, and overall asset performance - Visitor satisfaction, visitation, and spend performance - Effectiveness of cultural programming in supporting destination positioning and commercial outcomes - Stakeholder confidence and effectiveness of external relationships - Strength of organizational capability, leadership, and team performance Required Skills & Competencies 15+ years of executive leadership experience with full accountability for business performance, commercial outcomes, and operational delivery Saudi national with strong cultural relevance and a well-established understanding of the local stakeholder ecosystem Demonstrated credibility with the Ministry of Culture, royal entities, and international partners Track record of leading a comparable cultural, heritage, or visitor destination Experience leading a multi-asset, high-footfall environment with complex stakeholder and operational requirements

Preferred candidate

Years of experience

5+ years

Degree

Bachelor's degree / higher diploma