Head of Content - LIONS Riyadh

About the Role
The Head of Content will lead the creative and editorial vision for LIONS Riyadh, shaping the ideas, conversations, voices, and experiences that define the Festival. This is not a traditional conference production role. The Head of Content will be a curator, storyteller, creative strategist, and industry connector—someone with exceptional editorial judgment, deep curiosity, and the ability to recognize the ideas and people capable of moving the industry forward.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall strategic direction of the entire content strategy, working in close partnership with LIONS. The role translates the global authority, creative standards, and cultural relevance of the LIONS brand into a program that feels unmistakably LIONS while being genuinely rooted in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. They will create a Festival program that goes beyond stages and panels, connecting content, creativity, culture, learning, brand experiences, networking, and extraordinary talent into one compelling Festival journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall content strategy and direction for LIONS Riyadh, ensuring it reflects the LIONS brand, global standards, and regional relevance.
• Develop and curate the overall program across creativity, marketing, media, culture, technology, and the future of the industry, including stages, talks, workshops, masterclasses, and other Festival formats.
• Build and manage the speaker strategy, securing leading global and regional CMOs, creative leaders, brands, agencies, creators, and cultural figures.
• Manage the content budget, including speaker costs, travel, moderators, producers, and program-related expenditure.
• Build strong relationships with local and international creative communities, industry leaders, advisory board members, and strategic content partners.
• Lead and develop the content production team, including resourcing, scheduling, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Work with Marketing and PR to use content, speakers, and thought leadership to build audience demand and strengthen the Festival brand.
• Provide sponsorship direction and sales briefings to the wider team to ensure they understand the objectives and USPs when pitching to clients to secure deals.
• Liaise with government and manage technical aspects across all relevant projects.
• Collaborate closely with Event, Marketing, Creative, Commercial, and Operations teams to ensure content is fully integrated into the overall Festival experience.
• Work with department heads to develop year-round content strategies that increase audience engagement, commercial value, and long-term impact.
• Manage the overall team, including appropriate resourcing, coaching, and mentorship of team members.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely delivery and quality of conference programs.
• Strategy development and successful delivery.
• Quality and strength of the speaker lineup.
• Audience engagement and satisfaction across content sessions.
• Successful delivery of LIONS-aligned content and creative standards.
• Contribution of content to PR, marketing, and audience growth.
• Strength of relationships with key industry leaders, speakers, and creative communities.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Own the content production timeline, ensuring key program, speaker, and delivery milestones are achieved on time.
• Manage the content budget effectively, ensuring strong value across speakers, agencies, and content delivery.
• Monitor departmental performance, using financial, commercial, and delivery data to track progress against agreed objectives and identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with Commercial and Partnerships teams to identify relevant content opportunities while protecting editorial quality and the LIONS brand.
• Ensure content supports the wider commercial objectives of LIONS Riyadh, including audience growth, partnerships, and ticket demand.

People Management

• Mentor and provide necessary training to the entire team, ensuring all team members have the appropriate tools and methods to meet their required KPIs.
• Develop, communicate, and manage the bonus structures and KPIs for all team members.
• Plan and allocate resources to effectively staff and accomplish the work to meet departmental productivity and quality goals.
• Lead, coach, and inspire the content team to maintain high standards of research, creativity, storytelling, and delivery.
• Create a culture that encourages strong ideas, fresh thinking, and continuous improvement.

Reporting and Communication

• Manage the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to carry out the functions of the department.
• Maintain transparent communication, effectively communicating organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and regular interpersonal communication.
• Collaborate closely with the marketing department to ensure the quality of attendees to the conferences by reviewing data selection and ensuring quality data build for new conferences.
• Work closely with Marketing and PR to maximize the impact of speakers, content announcements, and thought leadership.
• Develop new content ideas, formats, and themes through research, industry engagement, and collaboration with LIONS.
• Identify key global, Saudi, and regional industry leaders, institutions, and organizations to support the program and advisory network.
• Develop new conference ideas, formats, and content through brainstorming sessions and feedback from the healthcare community.
• Maintain strong communication with LIONS and internal functional teams to ensure alignment across content, brand, commercial, and Festival delivery.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Degree or professional background in media, marketing, communications, journalism, creative industries, business, or a related field is advantageous.
• Relevant senior-level experience may be considered in place of formal qualifications where appropriate.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrate good teamwork with co-workers/peers.
• Flexibility to perform tasks outside of the overall remit when required.
• Significant experience in conference production (plus delegate sales experience/knowledge).
• Extensive experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Capable of speaking and writing clear and fluent English to both individuals and groups.
• Computer literate and proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Possess commercial awareness.
• Research-oriented with copywriting/marketing skills.
• Willingness to work longer than normal office hours as needed.
• Effective negotiation skills.
• Ability to remain calm and approachable under pressure.
• Promote a learning environment through leadership and example.

Additional Information
Core Benefits:

• Medical Insurance for individual and family
• Annual leave – 28 days
• Remote working on Sundays
• Working anywhere – 2 months every year
• School fees contribution, 40,000 SAR per child per year (up to a max of three children)
• Wellbeing Benefits
• Residency visa including yearly dependent fees
• Individual annual flight allowance for expats

Local Relocation Package (If eligible):

• Paid flight to Riyadh – individual and family
• 30 days accommodation or suitable serviced apartment from arrival date or a one-off payment of SAR 5,000
• Up to SAR 2,500 reimbursement of shipping goods/excess baggage costs

International Relocation Package (If eligible):

• Paid flight to Riyadh – individual and family
• 60 days accommodation or a suitable serviced apartment from your arrival date, or a one-off payment of SAR 5,000
• Up to SAR 2,500 reimbursement of shipping goods/excess baggage costs
• Paid flight home for individual and end-of-service gratuity payment when leaving the company (if applicable)

We work hard to make sure life is rewarding, supportive, and enjoyable for everyone at the company. We focus not just on a checklist of skills but also on energy and ambition, looking for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in, and help make things happen. We celebrate diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and circumstances, basing hiring decisions on relevant qualifications and merit. We are proud to provide a disability-friendly environment, and if you require any support or adjustments to participate in our interview or selection processes, please let us know.