Head of Cultural Partnerships

Job Description

NEOM require a Head of Cultural Partnerships to lead on developing partnerships with cultural and creative organisations for the culture and entertainment sector of the Line at NEOM.

Candidates will bring experience of developing and delivering high-level partnership projects in the commercial and not-for-profit cultural and entertainment sectors.

The purpose of the role is to identify the areas where regional, national and international partnerships will accelerate and consolidate the growth of entertainment and culture in NEOM and e stablish and maintain the partnerships that will deliver these benefits.

The role will operate closely with entertainment and culture team colleagues in identifying priorities and opportunities for partnerships.

The role will also ensure the adoption of best practice in partnership working and stakeholder management in NEOM.

Team Management

• The role will develop a partnership strategy for the Entertainment and Culture Sector in The Line at NEOM using their industry knowledge and networks.

• Lead the partnerships team in securing high-value entertainment and culture partnerships, taking responsibility for the full cycle of partnership activity
• Identifying possible partners
• Agreeing terms for partnerships, including both commercial contracts and non-commercial MOUs and co-operation agreements
• Maintaining ongoing partner relationships
• Work with NEOM colleagues to ensure the commercial and artistic objectives of both NEOM and its partners are achieved.
• Work with communications colleagues to maximise the media profile of successful partnerships

Advisory Support


• The role will be a point of contact to support internal stakeholders at NEOM with partnership working and stakeholder engagement for cultural organisations beyond The Line, providing ongoing support to regions and departments at NEOM intending to and in the process of developing partnerships for cultural projects.
• The role will produce guidance documentation to support partnership working by cultural organisations across NEOM and that supports alignment with the vision for culture at NEOM.
• The role must support the strategic development of the cultural offer at NEOM more broadly with a focus on partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure the partnerships team are meeting their objectives by following best practice and promote the continued development of quality standards.

Skills And Qualifications


• 7+ years industry experience, working in a senior role, delivering high-profile and complex cultural projects and programmes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience negotiating both commercial and non-commercial partnerships.
• Wide-ranging knowledge of the regional, national and international cultural and creative industries, including both commercial and not-for-profit sectors.
• Extensive network of regional, national and international cultural and entertainment contacts.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience of building new partnerships across creative, commercial, public and third sector organisations.
• A strategic thinker with excellent planning and organisational skills, able to engage and corral multiple partners and teams to deliver against an agreed vision and objectives
• Ability to communicate persuasively and represent NEOM externally at all levels.
• An astute stakeholder awareness gained from experience of a complex (public or private sector) organisation with diverse and numerous stakeholders.
• Leading a team, setting challenging but achievable targets, analysing outcomes and performance and adjusting the team’s working approach in response.
• Relevant industry experience regionally and internationally and in a high-pressured multi-cultural business environment.