Freelance Senior Event Festival Director - Al Ain (Arabic Speaking only)

Freelance Senior Event Festival Director – Al Ain (Arabic Speaking Only)You must already be in UAE to be considered for this roleAvailability Mid Nov to January endContract Type: Freelance / Project-Based Location: Al Ain, United Arab Emirates Duration: Project-based (with potential for extension) Language Requirement: Fluent Arabic (spoken and written) and EnglishOverviewWe are seeking a Freelance Senior Event Festival Director to lead the end-to-end planning, management, and execution of a major public festival in Al Ain. The ideal candidate is an Arabic-speaking professional with deep local cultural insight, strong leadership abilities, and extensive experience in managing large-scale outdoor events or festivals across the UAE or GCC.This role requires exceptional project management skills, stakeholder communication, and creative oversight to deliver a seamless, culturally resonant, and high-quality festival experience.Key ResponsibilitiesFestival Leadership: Oversee all creative, operational, and logistical aspects of the festival from concept to completion.Client & Stakeholder Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for government entities, partners, and sponsors, ensuring alignment with vision, objectives, and cultural values.Team Direction: Lead multidisciplinary teams including production, creative, technical, marketing, and on-ground operations.Budget Management: Develop, manage, and monitor the event budget, ensuring cost efficiency and clear reporting.Program Curation: Collaborate with the programming and content teams to curate activations, performances, and experiences that celebrate Al Ain’s heritage and contemporary spirit.Operational Excellence: Oversee site planning, health & safety, crowd management, and vendor coordination.Timeline & Deliverables: Maintain production schedules and ensure all milestones are met within deadlines.Quality Control: Ensure the highest standard of event execution and guest experience.Reporting: Deliver post-event evaluations and recommendations for improvement.RequirementsProven track record (10+ years) in festival or large-scale event management within the GCC, ideally with government or semi-government clients.Fluent Arabic speaker (mandatory) with excellent communication and presentation skills in both Arabic and English.Strong cultural awareness and understanding of Emirati traditions and sensitivities.Ability to lead diverse teams under pressure and deliver within tight timelines.Strong financial acumen with experience managing multi-million-dirham budgets.Excellent organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.Based in the UAE, with availability to be on-site in Al Ain throughout the project duration.PreferredExperience working with municipalities, tourism boards, or cultural authorities.Background in entertainment, cultural programming, or destination events.Familiarity with sustainability and community engagement best practices.