Creative Program Manager

Key Result Areas:
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Manage program planning and annual priority setting for Al Khater House, defining objectives, deliverables, and KPIs for the Herfah program and related creative initiatives, while supporting annual budgeting processes and ensuring adherence to organizational standards and cultural preservation goals.
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Design, develop, and periodically refine the Herfah program curriculum and annual program calendar, incorporating lessons learned and knowledge transfer across program cycles while applying specialist knowledge in traditional arts and related disciplines.
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Guide research and content development related to traditional arts, vernacular architecture, Islamic visual culture, and contemporary applications of traditional crafts, to support program quality, educational content, and broader awareness of heritage practices.
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Support the development and review of the Al Khater House budget and manage contractor and vendor relationships to ensure financial discipline and alignment with approved program priorities.
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Lead the continuous improvement of house operations, program delivery processes, and visitor engagement practices to enhance the cultural experience and improve operational efficiency.
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Manage the cost, schedule, and performance of programs, exhibitions, workshops, and events at Al Khater House to ensure deliverables are met within agreed scope and timelines. Review and recommend changes to scope, schedule, and budget baselines in line with established governance and approval processes.
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Identify and develop partnerships with cultural institutions, educational bodies, artisan communities, and relevant organizations to support the Herfah program and the broader mission of Al Khater House.
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Strengthen the role of Al Khater House as a platform for traditional arts education and cultural exchange by facilitating collaboration with relevant centres, universities, and cultural institutions locally and internationally.
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Establish and maintain quality review mechanisms for program and creative outputs to ensure traditional arts instruction, exhibitions, and public programming meet required standards of authenticity, artistic integrity, and organizational quality expectations. Evaluate program approaches against cultural and organizational needs and assess the impact delivered.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
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Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Architecture, Fine Arts, Art History, Cultural Management, or a related discipline
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8-10 years of relevant full-time work experience in program management, cultural institutions, or traditional arts education, 3 of which at a supervisory or team-lead level
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Demonstrated experience managing creative or cultural programs, with sound knowledge of traditional arts, Islamic visual arts, sacred geometry, or related disciplines
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A postgraduate degree in a relevant field is desirable
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International experience in cultural program management, preferably in the Middle East or in organizations focused on heritage preservation and traditional arts, is an advantage

Strong strategic, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to connect cultural objectives to operational delivery
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Strong interpersonal communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with artisans, academics, institutional partners, and other stakeholders
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Experience in curriculum development and creative education, including course design, instructor support, and learner engagement
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Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to draft and edit program documentation, partnership materials, and related communications clearly and concisely; English is required and Arabic is an advantage
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Proficiency in MS Office applications; familiarity with creative project management tools and relevant cultural sector or digital content platforms is an advantage