Specifically, Leuven is looking for a general manager, an artistic director and a communications, brand and partnership manager. All three calls for applications close on 23 January.

As for the artistic director, Leuven is looking for an expert who, through the theme of their dossier, HumanNature, knows how to transform their region.

LOV2030 represents a unique opportunity to position Leuven and its region as a cultural and societal frontrunner in Europe, acting as a catalyst for cultural, social, economic, tourism-related and sustainable development policies. Through imagination and experimentation, LOV2030 seeks to shape a new narrative for the future - one that is grounded in a fair, inclusive and sustainable way of living together.

Under the central concept HumanNature, LOV2030 addresses major societal challenges such as polarization and the climate crisis, positioning culture as a driver for systemic change.

Following the bid book phase, LOV2030 is now entering the planning and delivery phase. We are therefore seeking committed and visionary leaders who combine strategic insight with collaborative leadership. The open positions are part of a transparent and open recruitment process. With strong attention to continuity between the bid book phase and the years ahead, we are building a robust management team to deliver LOV2030 as a distinctive, ambitious and lasting European project.

General Director

“As General Director, you are the heart and the face of LOV2030. You manage the project strategically and operationally towards an ambitious festival year. You lead the team and foster radical connections. Together, you ensure lasting social impact”.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic manager and ambassador
You make sure LOV2030 delivers on its ambitions. You drive the mission and vision, representing LOV2030 with the city Leuven and the region, other levels of governments, and international partners.
Inspiring leadership 
You lead a multidisciplinary management team and together with them you scale the organization from a core team to over 40 professionals. You empower and inspire, coordinate and coach.
Diplomatic bridge-builder 
You navigate effortlessly between the city, the region, Flanders, Belgium, Europe, and the hundreds of stakeholders
Financial stewardship 
You hold final responsibility for robust financial management and a sustainable funding mix (public, private, and European).
Impact & resilience 
You safeguard sound governance and transparent and robust management, to ensure the success of this unique project.
What’s in it for you?

Once-in-a-lifetime: a unique key leadership role in this European project with huge societal impact.
Permanent employment: they offer an open-ended contract with vzw LOV2030. Formally, this is currently the non-profit organisation vzw KU[N]ST Leuven, which will be restructured and rebranded as vzw LOV2030 in the coming months.
Salary: a competitive salary package (indicative A9 scale for local government in Flanders, with a gross monthly salary ranging between €8,300 and €9,650), complemented with an attractive package of extra-legal benefits. The overall remuneration package will be aligned with your experience, expertise and proven track record.
Employment percentage starting at a minimum of 80%, increasing to 100% by 1 April 2027 at the latest.
 

The interviews for General Director will take place on Monday 9 February 2026 in Leuven.
The top 3 candidates from the interview will be invited to the assessment centre.
The jury interview is reserved for the shortlisted candidates. This interview focuses on a meaningful dialogue, allowing us to gain insight into the person behind the CV.

Only the three highest-ranked candidates following the jury interview will be invited to the assessment centre.

 

Artistic Director

 

“As Artistic Director, you are the driving force behind the creative and societal vision and content of LOV2030. Together with your team, you will further develop the winning bid into a all encompassing program that is both artistically surprising and deeply rooted in society. In the legacy of LOV2030, artistic innovation and social relevance go hand in hand. With your team, you use LOV2030 and culture as a lever for radical connection, innovation, experimentation, and dialogue. You are a member of the four-person Management Team (MT)”.

Key Responsibilities

Artistic Vision 
You translate the ambitions of the bid (Human, Nature, Innovation) into a groundbreaking program with international stature and broad appeal.
Radical Connection
Innovation, connection, and broadening are in the DNA of LOV2030. You make LOV2030 a project by, for, and with everyone. Together with your team, you realize a powerful legacy of innovation and inclusion in Leuven & Beyond.
Impactful Collaboration
Together with your team, you have an open mindset, and you build bridges between artists, scientists, the social sector, education, economic actors, citizens, and European partners.
Inspirational Leadership
You inspire and challenge. You coach and motivate a multidisciplinary team of creators, curators, and connectors, and help build an open organizational culture with guts.
International Figurehead
You position Leuven as a European cultural leader and pioneer, maintaining strong ties with international institutions and partners.
Managing the delivery
Ensure realistic planning and effective delivery of the artistic programme within the approved financial framework.
What’s in it for you?

Once-in-a-lifetime: a unique creative leadership role in a European flagship cultural project with invaluable societal impact.
Permanent employment: an open-ended contract with vzw LOV2030. Formally, this is currently the non-profit organisation vzw KU[N]ST Leuven, which will be restructured and rebranded as vzw LOV2030 in the coming months.
Salary:  a competitive salary package (indicative A4a to A5b scale for local government in Flanders, with a gross monthly salary ranging between €6,100 and €8,600), complemented with an attractive package of extra-legal benefits. The overall remuneration package will be aligned with your experience, expertise and proven track record.
Network: the opportunity to work with topnotch colleagues and driven changemakers across Leuven and the region, Flanders, Belgium and Europe.
 

They will screen candidates during the week of 27 January.
They will select the 6 to 8 highest-scoring candidates from the screening and invite them to an interview with the jury.
They will inform candidates by Friday 30 January at the latest whether they have been selected for an interview with the jury.
 

The interviews for Artistic Director will take place on Tuesday 10 February 2026 in Leuven.
The top 3 candidates from the interview will be invited to the assessment centre.
 

Director of Marketing, Communication & Partnerships

"Become the strategist of our brand and the architect of engaging communication. Build powerful partnerships and put Leuven & Beyond on the world map as European Capital of Culture 2030. Realize substantial supplementary financing through partnerships and sponsoring. Grasp a unique opportunity to drive societal impact through innovative storytelling and alliances".

Your key responsibilities

Strategic Mastery
You fuel our results with a powerful local, national, and international marketing strategy and communication plan. You work in synergy with existing channels and the (international) strategy of the city and region, Flanders, Belgium, and Europe.
Partnerships & Sponsoring 
You close strategic alliances and partnerships, thereby guaranteeing a solid funding mix through supplementary financing. You develop the sponsorship strategy and an engaging value proposition.
Communication with Impact
You build enthusiasm and resonance around LOV2030. You increase our reach and social relevance by telling compelling content in an impactful and innovative way.
Connection & Reach
You achieve broad involvement, connection and reach. With your team, you purposefully design campaigns to not only reach different target audiences but also actively engage.
Leadership 
You manage and coach a growing team of both experts and young potentials.
What can you expect?

One-in-a-lifetime: a unique key leadership role  in a European top project with profound  societal impact.
Permanent employment: an open-ended contract with vzw LOV2030. Formally, this is currently the non-profit organisation vzw KU[N]ST Leuven, which will be restructured and rebranded as vzw LOV2030 in the coming months.
Salary: a competitive salary package (indicative A4a to A5b scale for Flemish local government, with a gross monthly salary ranging between €6,100 and €8,600), complemented by an attractive package of extra-legal benefits. The overall remuneration package will be aligned with your experience, expertise and proven track record.
Network: the opportunity to work with top-tier teams and driven change makers across Leuven, the region, Flanders, Belgium, and Europe.
 

The interviews will take place on Monday 23 February 2026 in Leuven.
The top 3 candidates from the interview will be invited to the assessment centre.

More info here. 

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