Programs Manager – Cultural Programming

Job Purpose

To lead the planning, curation, and execution of MiZa’s cultural programming and experiential activations, creating a vibrant and engaging neighbourhood identity that connects businesses, residents, creatives, and visitors through meaningful cultural experiences and community engagement initiatives.

• Lead the development and execution of MiZa’s year‑round cultural programming calendar, ensuring a diverse and engaging schedule of events and activations aligned with MiZa’s vision and identity.
• Curate and produce cultural experiences across music, food, arts, entertainment, retail activations, festivals, and community celebrations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with artists, performers, chefs, creative entrepreneurs, cultural institutions, vendors, and community stakeholders to deliver distinctive programming.
• Manage the full event lifecycle including concept development, planning, production, logistics, permits, vendor coordination, execution, and post‑event evaluation.
• Drive community engagement by developing programmes that encourage participation from tenants, residents, and the wider Abu Dhabi community.
• Oversee budgets, sponsorship opportunities, contracts, and operational delivery to ensure efficient and high‑quality programme execution.
• Monitor programme effectiveness through audience feedback, attendance metrics, community sentiment, and operational evaluations to continuously improve future activations.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure all cultural activations support MiZa’s placemaking and community‑building objectives.

Bachelor’s degree in Arts Management, Cultural Studies, Event Management, Marketing, Hospitality, Communications, or related field.

• 6–8 years of experience in cultural programming, placemaking, events management, or creative industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing end‑to‑end event production and cultural activations.
• Experience working with artists, performers, vendors, cultural organisations, and community stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within dynamic environments.
• UAE or regional cultural ecosystem experience is highly preferred.