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Job Description

Hours: Part-time 28 hours per week (excluding unpaid breaks)
Duration: Permanent.
Salary: Actual salary £36,000 to £40,000 depending on experience (FTE £45,000 – £50,000)
Reporting to: LAAF Board of Directors/trustees.
Direct reports: Operational and Finance Manager, Creative Producer, Freelance Marketing and Events Team, Freelance Fundraiser.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) is the UK’s leading celebration of Arab arts and cultures. We are a small team that delivers huge impact – rooted in Liverpool’s communities yet connected to artists and audiences across the world.

Our work is grounded in representation, collaboration, and exchange, bringing Arab creativity and perspectives to the heart of the UK’s cultural landscape.

As Chief Executive Officer, you will lead this unique organisation through a pivotal period of transition and renewal. Working closely with the Board, staff team, freelance workers, artists, communities and partners, you will provide strategic, financial, artistic and cultural leadership – ensuring that LAAF continues to thrive in an increasingly complex political, social, and financial climate.

This is a deeply rewarding role that calls for someone who is rigorous, transparent, and community-minded; someone who understands both the practical challenges of running an arts organisation and a live festival, year-round events and engagement projects, and the responsibility of representing communities whose stories matter.

The ideal candidate will be ready to immerse themselves in the relationships and networks that keep LAAF alive, and to lead with creativity, care, and conviction.

Job Requirements

• A minimum of five years’ proven experience in a senior leadership role within the arts and cultural and/or charitable sector
• Strong understanding of organisational management, including finance, governance, and HR
• Experience of leading and motivating small teams to deliver large-scale impact
• Successful record in fundraising, business development, and stakeholder engagement
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and to representing diverse voices and communities through the arts
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; a persuasive advocate and connector
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance vision and delivery under pressure
• Deep understanding and ability to manage and navigate the cultural, social, and political context in which LAAF operates
• Prepared to work flexibly and collaboratively, leading from the front where needed

Further requirements in job pack.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide visionary, values-led leadership, working with the Board to develop and deliver LAAF’s strategic plan
• Ensure the organisation continues to innovate and champion Arab arts and cultures, regionally, nationally and internationally
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council Culture Liverpool and other key funders, ensuring compliance with all reporting and funding requirements
• Oversee business planning and delivery, aligning artistic ambitions with organisational capacity and sustainability
• Lead regular reviews of progress against strategic objectives to fulfil
• LAAF’s ambitions for growth, quality and sustainability
• Champion environmental responsibility and sustainable practice across all areas of the organisation’s work
• Represent LAAF externally as an advocate and ambassador, promoting the organisation’s work and impact

Further responsibilities in governance, finance, development, culture, and operations in job pack.

How to Apply

To apply, please provide the following to: admin@arabicartsfestival.co.uk
1. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 sides of A4)
2. A supporting statement (maximum 2 pages) or short video/audio file (up to 5 minutes) explaining:
○ Why you want to lead LAAF
○ How your experience aligns with the role and person specification
○ What your priorities would be in your first year as CEO
3. A completed Equal Opportunities Form – follow this link to the online form – https://forms.gle/PMuLwr9i3uBFnTg46

Applicant to advise if they require access support during the interview process. If you require this information or wish to apply in an alternative format, please contact admin@arabicartsfestival.co.uk

Deadline for applications: 4th January 2026
First-round interviews: w/c 21st January (TBC)
Final interviews: w/c 28th January (TBC)

For an informal, confidential conversation about the role, please contact afrah@arabicartsfestival.co.uk – Chair of Board