AfrikaBurn is seeking an inspirational and visionary Executive Director for Culture (EDC). The position is focused on leading the organisation’s cultural development, people strategy, and creative direction. The EDC reports directly to the Board of Directors and works in close partnership with the Executive Director of Operations and the Executive Director of Development. 

AfrikaBurn is the strategic driver of Burning Man culture in the Southern African region and plays a significant role in the arts and culture sector of South Africa. Most known for its flagship event in the Tankwa Karoo, as a public benefit organisation, AfrikaBurn is the human scaffold that helps a diverse creative community propel numerous arts and development projects.  

We are seeking an experienced leader who combines vision with grounded management, guiding people and culture with empathy, clarity, and purpose. The EDC will provide strategic leadership across culture, human resources, creative programming, and communications, ensuring AfrikaBurn’s ethos and values are reflected in every aspect of organisational life.

The EDC will be responsible for nurturing AfrikaBurn’s creative and cultural frameworks,  including the 11 Principles, JEDI commitments, and PEaCE framework. They will foster an inclusive environment where people and art can thrive. Rooted in AfrikaBurn’s ethos, this position embodies servant leadership, prioritising collaboration, accountability, and the flourishing of the community and its culture.

Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with the EDO and EDD to align strategy, governance, and resource planning
• Provide leadership to embed AfrikaBurn’s ethos, values, and cultural vision across people, programmes, and communications
• Lead and mentor creative portfolio leads in Arts and Performance, DMV, Theme Camps, and Communications
• Lead organisational culture and HR strategy, ensuring effective recruitment, development, and wellbeing
• Oversee creative and cultural programming
• Represent AfrikaBurn publicly to strengthen its visibility in South Africa and the global Burning Man network
• Champion diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing across all organisational practices
• Foster community vibrancy and resilience through engagement and cultural initiatives
• Advance AfrikaBurn’s role as a creative and cultural leader in the South African arts landscape
• Support the EDD in developing narratives and partnerships that sustain creative and cultural projects

Minimum Requirements 

• At least ten years’ experience in senior leadership within cultural, creative, community, or people-focused organisations
• Participated in and holds extensive knowledge of both AfrikaBurn and Burning Man regional events
• A demonstrable history of creative endeavour including contribution to the creative landscape of AfrikaBurn’s binnekring and beyond
• A clear understanding of the cultural values framework within which AfrikaBurn exists, and which underpins the organisation’s way of working
• Demonstrated experience in human resources management, organisational development, or people and culture leadership
• Proven ability to lead creative or participatory programmes involving artists, volunteers, and community stakeholders
• Strong understanding of cultural strategy, communications, and creative production processes
• Relevant tertiary qualification in humanities, cultural management, leadership, or a related field advantageous
• Understanding of governance, policy development, and non-profit or PBO management in South Africa
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills across diverse communities
• Based in – or able to relocate to – Cape Town, South Africa 
• Good knowledge of the South African arts, cultural, and creative sectors 

Traits (We value these highly) 

• Embodies servant leadership – leading through service, empathy, and a commitment to collective success
• Empathetic, inclusive, and people-centred
• Visionary thinker who balances creativity with practical execution
• Grounded in integrity, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness
• Collaborative and respectful, fostering participation and shared purpose
• Self-aware, reflective, and committed to continuous learning
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, connect, and support a diverse community
• Adaptable and resilient, able to hold calm and clarity in dynamic or uncertain environments

Please apply with CV and cover letter to appointments@afrikaburn.com by close of business 21 November 2025.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. AfrikaBurn reserves the right to not appoint this position should a suitable applicant not be found.