Senior Coordinator, Studio and Residency Programmes

Reports to: Studio and Residency Programmes Manager

Provide senior operational oversight for artist residencies and studio programmes, ensuring consistency, quality, and effective delivery across all phases. Act as the primary escalation point for artists, partners, and internal teams, resolving complex issues and ensuring a high standard of artist experience.

Team Supervision & Coordination

Supervise and mentor Coordinators, providing guidance, quality control, and workload oversight. Ensure clear task allocation, adherence to standards, and timely delivery of responsibilities. Act as first-line escalation for operational matters before referral to the Manager.

Artist Support & Programme Management

Oversee artist onboarding, in-residence support, and offboarding processes to ensure consistency across cohorts. Review and quality-check itineraries, research trips, site visits, and institutional engagements. Step in directly for high-sensitivity cases or complex logistical situations.

Studios & Facilities Oversight

Oversee studio spaces and residency apartments, ensuring readiness standards are met. Act as escalation point for facilities and maintenance issues, coordinating with internal operations teams and external vendors. Lead studio presentations and site visits for prospective renters, partners, and stakeholders.

Administration & Financial Oversight

Oversee contracts, invoices, stipends, and financial documentation related to studios and residency programmes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing. Coordinate closely with Finance and Legal teams on approvals, reporting, and exceptions. Identify and improve operational workflows.

Planning, Scheduling & Stakeholder Coordination

Lead planning structures for residency schedules, programme milestones, and artist engagements. Resolve scheduling conflicts and anticipate logistical challenges. Represent the organisation in selected meetings, partner engagements, and official visits as delegated.

Cross-Department Collaboration

Coordinate across Communications, Editorial, Translation, IT, Website, and other departments to ensure accurate, timely, and aligned information for open calls, programme announcements, and reporting.

Data, Systems & Reporting

Maintain and oversee databases for residency applicants, studio renters, and programme alumni. Generate reports on studio occupancy, residency demand, and operational performance. Use insights to recommend improvements to efficiency, utilisation, and artist satisfaction.

Job Key Accountabilities

Ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of artist residencies and studio programmes

Supervise and support Coordinators, ensuring clarity of roles and quality of outputs

Act as escalation point for complex artist, operational, and facilities issues

Maintain operational compliance, accuracy, and risk mitigation across programmes

Strengthen cross-department coordination and stakeholder relationships

Improve systems, workflows, and reporting to support programme sustainability

Required Qualification, Experience & Skills

Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, Cultural Management, Fine Arts, Humanities, or equivalent experience

4-6 years’ experience in arts administration, residencies, cultural institutions, or related programmes

Strong organisational, administrative, and operational management skills

Experience overseeing contracts, invoices, stipends, and financial workflows

Demonstrated ability to manage complex operations and multiple stakeholders

Experience supervising or mentoring team members preferred

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to work collaboratively across departments (Comms, Editorial, IT, etc.)

Proficiency in MS Office

Cultural sensitivity and adaptability when working with artists

Strong English required, Arabic or additional languages an advantage

Driving license desirable

Conditions of Work

The role is a full-time position based in Sharjah, with working hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Thursday, and occasional evening or weekend work as needed.