Executive Director

About the Role

This executive position is situated at a premier cultural and entertainment complex in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The venue is a landmark destination featuring cinema as its core attraction, along with ongoing cultural events, live performances, food and beverage, retail, and hospitality, all located within a historic district.

The venue is managed by an Operating Company under a unified accountability framework: an institutional Client serves as principal and cultural overseer; the Operating Company handles all operational responsibilities as one integrated entity; and the Operating Company’s parent group offers corporate shared services such as HR, IT, legal, finance, and government relations as partners.

Operations switch between Normal Mode, led by the Operating Company for routine, year-round activities, and Festival Mode, where the Client directs flagship events with venue support from the Operating Company.

Location and Travel

The Executive Director will be based permanently in Jeddah, with expected travel flexibility to Riyadh as business demands.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Operating Company Board and Client via a Joint Governance Committee, this role will oversee the Heads of Operations & Guest Experience, Programming & Activation, Technical & Venue Operations, Commercial, Marketing & Partnerships, and Finance, Governance & Reporting. The Executive Director holds overall operational and commercial responsibility for the venue, bridging the Operating Company, Client, and parent Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of the full operating mandate and multi-year strategic plans, including stabilization and transition during the first two pilot years.
• Serve as the sole accountable executive across all operational layers, ensuring integrated delivery rather than fragmented vendor management.
• Manage the venue as an investment asset, safeguarding value, optimizing utilization, and delivering financial returns.
• Participate actively and lead in governance committees to secure necessary client approvals.
• Oversee smooth transitions between operational modes, ensuring readiness well in advance and coordinated event wrap-ups.
• Authorize all annual operational planning and budgeting, monitoring performance against KPIs.
• Set the tone for leadership, culture, and safety standards across the organization and manage relations with shared-service partners.
• Lead enterprise risk, business continuity, and resilience efforts regardless of operating mode.
• Build and maintain strategic alliances with government, cultural bodies, and key external stakeholders for venue success.
• Ensure strict compliance with contractual, governance, and operational frameworks.

Key Interfaces

• Direct liaison with the Client as principal and committee participant.
• Engage with the parent Group for investment reporting and corporate services.
• Coordinate with government authorities, cultural partners, and approved contractors.

Performance Metrics

• Success in pilot phase implementation and operational stabilization.
• Adherence to governance standards and satisfaction of the Client.
• Venue utilization rates and commercial profitability.
• Budget compliance and EBITDA achievements.
• Maintenance of health, safety, and operational robustness.

Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of leadership in significant cultural, hospitality, or destination venues, with 5+ years at General Manager, Director, or CEO level.
• Experience managing Public-Private Partnerships or concession-based destinations.
• Proven track record of sole accountability for multi-disciplinary operations, budget control, and subcontractor oversight.
• background in implementing complex cultural or experiential projects, preferably within the region or Saudi Arabia.
• Strong skills in financial governance, stakeholder management, and profit and loss responsibility. A Master’s degree is preferred, and proficiency in Arabic is advantageous.