Chief of Staff & Director – Cultural Affairs

About the role

Black Pearl Consult is recruiting an accomplished Chief of Staff and Director of Cultural Affairs to lead strategic work across executive operations, cultural affairs, government relations and international partnerships in the UAE. Reporting directly to the CEO, the role represents the organization with full authority at the highest levels of government and diplomacy, engaging ministers, ambassadors and heads of major international counterparts. It leads the organization's external and cultural affairs, turning high-level partnerships into concrete results.

Key responsibilities

• Support the CEO's office: manage the CEO's priorities, agendas and engagements, prepare briefing notes, talking points, stakeholder profiles and recommended positions, draft correspondence and statements, and accompany the CEO to meetings, forums, delegations and summits.
• Nurture relationships with UAE strategic partners and key government ministries (including Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture), and represent the organization at ministerial and diplomatic levels.
• Monitor the diplomatic, governmental and regulatory landscape, arrange bilateral visits and incoming delegations, and lead negotiations of international partnerships such as MoUs and co-productions.
• Drive cross-departmental projects from concept to delivery, set KPIs, maintain governance and ethical standards, and report on risks and milestones.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Arts, Arts Management, Cultural Policy, Education, Business Administration or a related field; Master's or PhD in those areas strongly preferred.
• 12 to 15+ years of progressive senior leadership experience in major institutions, diplomacy, government or an executive office; prior Chief of Staff, Head of Office or Private Office experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of high-level diplomatic engagement, stakeholder management and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Thorough understanding of the UAE's governmental, diplomatic and institutional landscape.

Required skills

• Exceptional written and spoken English; French strongly preferred; Arabic an advantage.
• Experience managing complex international networks and high-level stakeholder ecosystems.