Festival Director – Dubai Lynx & Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity

Motivate Media Group is seeking an exceptional Festival Director to lead Dubai Lynx and Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity, two of the Middle East's most influential festivals celebrating excellence in advertising, marketing, media and creative communications.

This is a unique leadership opportunity for a commercially driven events professional with a proven track record of delivering large-scale, world-class events. You will be responsible for shaping the strategic direction of both festivals, driving commercial growth, overseeing exceptional event delivery, and building strong relationships with industry leaders, partners and stakeholders across the MENA region.

What you will be responsible for

• Develop and execute the overall strategy for Dubai Lynx and Athar, ensuring long-term growth, profitability and a premium customer experience.
  
• Drive all commercial revenue streams, including sponsorship, awards entries, delegate sales, awards tables and new business opportunities.
  
• Identify and launch new revenue-generating initiatives throughout the year.
  
• Build and strengthen relationships with key industry stakeholders, clients, partners and sponsors across the MENA region.
  
• Lead the ongoing development of the awards programmes, ensuring categories remain relevant and aligned with industry trends.
  
• Oversee the planning and delivery of exceptional festival experiences from concept through execution.
  
• Curate high-quality festival content that reflects emerging trends, innovation and thought leadership.
  
• Manage budgets, forecasting revenue and maintaining strong commercial performance.
  
• Negotiate with venues, suppliers and partners to optimise costs while maintaining premium quality.
  

Requirements

Requirement:

• At least 10 years' experience leading large-scale events, conferences or festivals.
  
• A proven track record of driving commercial success through sponsorship, delegate sales, awards entries and other revenue streams.
  
• Strong knowledge of the advertising, media, marketing or creative communications industry.
  
• Experience leading cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams.
  
• Excellent commercial awareness, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Outstanding organisational and project management abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
  
• A natural relationship builder with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and industry leaders.
  
• A strategic mindset with the ability to identify new business opportunities and deliver measurable growth.
  
• Strong leadership, presentation and communication skills.
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and event management systems.
  

Motivate Media Group, the region’s leading multi-platform content producer with a diverse portfolio of media interests comprising magazines, digital, social, video, exhibitions and events, cinema, OOH and books, is the joint organiser and producer of Dubai Lynx, the MENA region's premier festival celebrating creativity and effectiveness in communications. Motivate Media Group also organises Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity, Saudi Arabia's leading festival for the creative marketing industry, delivered in partnership with key regional stakeholders. Together, these flagship festivals provide world-class platforms for learning, networking, recognition and industry advancement, bringing together the region's brightest creative, marketing and media professionals. The Festival Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the continued growth, reputation and success of both festivals while working closely with regional and international partners.

Interested candidates may apply attaching a copy of their CV and a one-page cover letter.