Director, Cultural Olympiad

la28careers

Los Angeles, California, United States · Los Angeles · United States

Posted Jul 28, 2026

Temporary
On-site
CUL - Cultural Olympiad

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Job description

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance. 

LA28 is the independent, non-profit, privately funded organizing committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are on a singular mission to create an Olympic and Paralympic Games that celebrate all that this city and country have to offer, delivering an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and our community.    

The 2028 Games mark the return of the Summer Games to the U.S. for the first time in 32 years and Los Angeles’ third time hosting an Olympic Games and first time welcoming the Paralympic Games. This presents the unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate our legacy with the Games and push the Olympic and Paralympic Movements forward, writing a new chapter of Games history in Los Angeles.  

 Putting on an Olympic and Paralympic Games is a team sport. To build a Games unlike any the world has seen before, we need the best team in place–a team full of perspectives, experiences and expertise. We are guided by the following set of values and behaviors–optimism, integrity, excellence, inclusion, co-creation and boldness–and look forward to hearing about how your past experiences align with them. 

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 

Direct, mentor, and oversee a multi-disciplinary team comprising Managers, Associates, Interns, and Fellows, ensuring highly coordinated operational workflows, clear accountability, and professional development
Translate the Cultural Olympiad’s strategic framework and overarching vision into detailed, actionable, and phased operational and project timelines to ensure flawless execution of all programming
Formulate and manage the formal guidelines, application process, vetting, and approval protocols of community stakeholder programming required for inclusion in the program
Work closely with the Vice President/Executive Director to identify, develop, and operationalize innovative programming across the Cultural Olympiad’s core disciplines: Fashion, Film, Food, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts
Collaborate with Vice President/Executive Director and lead the end-to-end project management for delivery of approved temporary public art installations across the greater Los Angeles area
Cultivate, formalize, and sustain deep, productive working relationships with grassroots creative initiatives, major cultural institutions, and regional community stakeholders in order to deliver meaningful programming
Serve alongside the Vice President/Executive Director as an active spokesperson and ambassador for the program, delivering compelling presentations to diverse public, private, and governmental audiences to foster educational outreach, co-creation, and strategic alignment
Coordinate extensively with internal LA28 Functional Areas (FAs) to ensure Cultural Olympiad activations seamlessly integrate with adjacent Games-time operations, logistics, security, marketing, and venues

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

The annual base salary range for this position is $126,000.00 - $182,000.00 The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law. 

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance. 

LA28 is committed to fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. LA28 will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and all applicable laws. We strive to build a team that is inclusive and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team. 