Cultural Entertainment Manager – Events & Festivals

Overview

Cultural Entertainment Programming

• Develop and curate cultural entertainment programs that reflect local traditions, heritage, and destination objectives.
• Source, recommend, and manage traditional performance groups, cultural practitioners, musicians, storytellers, and heritage entertainers.
• Coordinate cultural activations including Al Ayala, Al Razfa, Jalsat, traditional music ensembles, poetry performances, and other heritage experiences.
• Ensure all cultural programming is delivered authentically and in accordance with local customs and cultural protocols.

Concerts & Live Entertainment Management

• Manage the booking, contracting, and coordination of local performers.
• Oversee concert programming, live music performances and stage entertainment
• Coordinate artist requirements, hospitality, transportation, accommodation, and operational needs.
• Act as the primary liaison between artists, talent agencies, promoters, and event stakeholders.

Show Management & Technical Coordination

• Develop and manage show running orders, stage schedules, cue sheets, and performance timelines.
• Coordinate rehearsals, sound checks, stage movements, and performance logistics.
• Work closely with production teams to ensure all technical requirements are planned and delivered.
• Review and manage artist technical riders, stage plots, input lists, and performance specifications.
• Coordinate all backline requirements including instruments, audio equipment, monitors, , and specialty performance equipment.
• Ensure all production and technical requirements are integrated into event operations and delivery plans.

Talent Operations & BOH Management

• Oversee all backstage and talent operations during event delivery.
• Coordinate artist accreditation, dressing rooms, green rooms, hospitality lounges, and artist compounds.
• Manage talent transportation schedules, arrivals, departures, and movement plans.
• Ensure all backstage facilities, catering requirements, and welfare provisions are delivered in accordance with artist agreements and operational standards.
• Coordinate talent escorts, stage access, security requirements, and VIP movements where applicable.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact between clients, agencies, artists, cultural groups, and production teams.
• Coordinate requirements across programming, operations, production, security, and guest experience departments.
• Manage communications with cultural institutions, heritage organizations, and entertainment partners.
• Resolve artist, operational, and programming issues in a timely and professional manner.

Contract Administration & Reporting

• Negotiate and administer talent agreements, performance contracts, and engagement terms.
• Maintain accurate records of contracts, technical riders, schedules, and operational requirements.
• Prepare entertainment schedules, performance reports, and post-event evaluations.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and entertainment cost management.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in entertainment management, cultural programming, concerts, festivals, or live events.
• Demonstrated experience managing traditional cultural performances, heritage programming, and live entertainment.
• Strong understanding of UAE and GCC cultural entertainment practices and protocols.
• Experience managing artists, performers, talent agencies, and cultural groups.
• Strong knowledge of live event production, technical riders, backline requirements, and show operations.
• Experience developing running orders, cue sheets, rehearsal schedules, and performance timelines.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple performances and stakeholders simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Arabic.
• Existing network of cultural performers, heritage groups, musicians, and entertainment agencies within the UAE and GCC.
• Experience working with government entities, cultural authorities, and destination events.
• Familiarity with large-scale festivals, national celebrations, heritage villages, and destination programming.
• Experience managing concerts, headline acts, and VIP entertainment programs.

Engagement Type

• **Freelance Contract**
• **Duration:**

July 2026 – December 2026

• **UAE-based candidates preferred and to be based in Abu Dhabi**
• **Available to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, rehearsals, and event days**
• **Experience within the UAE cultural, heritage, entertainment, and festival sectors is highly desirable**
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