Director, Cultural Olympiad

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President (SVP), Cultural Olympiad & Stakeholder Events, and working in close alignment with the Vice-President/Executive Director of the Cultural Olympiad, the Director will lead the dedicated team responsible for the operational planning, strategic development, and hands-on execution of LA28’s signature cultural program.  

Held in the lead-up and adjacent to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Cultural Olympiad is a foundational deliverable and a core requirement mandated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), that transforms the host city into a living stage for arts, culture and human creativity alongside the Games. While early Olympic Games featured medal events in sculpture, painting, music, literature and architecture; the model for the Cultural Olympiad programming used today shifts from competitions to community focused arts festivals and public programming. The LA28 Cultural Olympiad will celebrate and uplift the diverse culture of Los Angeles through original programming, partner collaborations and community-led grassroots events in signature disciplines that include Fashion, Film, Food, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. More information can be found HERE. 

The ideal candidate is an established leader within the cultural sector, having successfully served at the helm of or in leadership at a major cultural institution or high-impact non-profit organization in the cultural space. This role requires a leader who is equally fluent in public speaking, civic advocacy, and community-centered education as they are in the rigorous operational mechanics, systems design, and project management frameworks necessary to deliver complex, large-scale cultural initiatives. The Director will ensure the program powerfully engages both Southern California’s diverse local communities as well as the international visitors attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Key Responsibilities  

Background and Requirements  

• Minimum 8+ years experience serving in a senior management role (e.g., Executive Director, Artistic Director or similar) within a prominent non-profit cultural organization or multi-disciplinary artistic institution
• A deeply embedded, verified professional network spanning the greater Los Angeles cultural sector, with a proven ability to bridge grassroots initiatives and large-scale institutional partners
• Technical mastery over complex logistical systems, process design, scheduling, and standard operating procedures required for programmatic cultural delivery
• Demonstrated experience working directly within and alongside marginalized communities, establishing peer-level partnerships with community-based organization leaders with humility and cultural responsiveness
• Success managing highly complex, multi-million dollar programmatic budgets, staffing plans, and vendor contracts with transparency, compliance, and fiduciary responsibility
• A track record of actively seeking out, negotiating, and executing high-impact strategic alliances with private, philanthropic, and public entities
• Proven capabilities as an outcome-focused, disciplined leader who excels in highly dynamic, evolving environments while keeping teams grounded in the core mission and organizational values
• Bachelor’s degree in the Arts, Arts Administration, Non-Profit Management, Public Policy, Business Administration, and/or a related field is required. However, a verifiable track record of exceptional, high-profile professional achievements within the cultural sector may be considered in lieu of specific formal degree pathways  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions  

• Ability to work on-site in an open office environment, based in Los Angeles, CA 
• Ability to lift and transport event materials (up to 50 lbs), including signage, branding materials, event delivery elements and equipment
• Comfortable working in various environments, including indoor venues, outdoor spaces, and large-scale event locations
• Must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule including some weekends and evenings during high-volume event dates
• Perform other duties as required; the role will evolve over time and may include operational responsibilities during the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Expectations  

• Prior experience with institutional fundraising, grant writing, or philanthropic cultivation is desirable. Must demonstrate creative resourcefulness in optimizing limited budgets and structuring professional volunteerism and philanthropic partnerships, where appropriate
• Experience directing or managing the launch of digital/online cultural platforms, applications, or interactive web spaces to capture broader global audiences is a plus
• Unwavering dedication to building organizational cultures centered on equity, consensus, and multi-perspective collaboration among diverse, sometimes competing stakeholders
• A profound, sophisticated understanding of the structural power of creativity and civic institutions, coupled with an authentic belief in arts-driven societal transformation
• Understanding and frequent use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). PowerPoint presentation deck-building and/or design skills a plus