Vacancy General Director

Leuven & Beyond has been designated European Capital of Culture 2030. Through our inspiring theme HumanNature, we are set to transform our region. Now that the title is ours, we are looking for the visionary manager to turn this ambition into a world-class reality. Are you the leader we need?

About LOV2030 – Leuven & Beyond

In 2030, Leuven will serve as Belgium’s European Capital of Culture. Together with the wider East Brabant region, and under the banner LOV2030 – Leuven & Beyond, the city successfully secured the title.

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.

Your role in shaping history

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: we 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.

Are you our new General Director?

• You have at least 7 years of experience leading large-scale, complex projects.
• You are an entrepreneurial pioneer who delivers. You combine big-picture vision with decisive action.
• You are an experienced people manager who inspires trust in teams and stakeholders.
• You speak and write Dutch and English fluently. Candidates who do not yet fully master Dutch commit to achieving the required level within one yearof starting employment. Fluent French is an asset.
• You bring at least 4 years of experience in managing teams.
• You have demonstrable experience in managing substantial budgets and complex partnership-based projects; experience working with (local) government bodies is essential.
• Familiarity with the cultural and societal ecosystem of Leuven and the wider region is an advantage.

Information about the selection procedure

In every job, we strive for the best possible match. Both for you and for us. You will go through these steps. You must pass each step in order to proceed.

1. Screening of candidates

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

2. Interview with the jury

   This step is reserved for the 6 to 8 highest-scoring candidates from the screening.
   During this interview, we would like to get to know the person behind your CV. We will focus on a dialogue that centres on your intrinsic motivation and leadership skills. We are curious about your vision for the role and how your experience and skills can contribute to the success of LOV2030.

    

3. Timing of interviews

   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.
    

4. Assessment centre

   We simulate situations in which you demonstrate behaviour that is relevant to this job.
   The assessment for General Director will take place in mid-February 2026. The date will be set in mutual consultation.
   Location: Brussels (Diegem)
    

5. Job offer or recruitment reserve

   We will rank all candidates who pass the interview and assessment centre. The highest-ranked candidate will be offered the job.

Jury Interview

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. Your intrinsic motivation, competencies and vision for the role will be central. We are particularly interested in how your experience and skills will contribute to the success of LOV2030.

The jury interview of the top 6 to 8 candidates will take place on Monday 9 February 2026. Location: Leuven, Belgium. 

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

Assessment Centre

The assessment centre involves simulated situations designed to observe behaviour and competencies relevant to the role. The assessment centre for the position of General Director will take place in mid-February. Location: Brussels (Diegem).

Appointment or Reserve List

All candidates who successfully complete the interview and assessment centre will be ranked. The highest-ranked candidate will be offered the position.

Candidates who meet the requirements but are not selected will be placed on a recruitment reserve. Should a similar vacancy arise, they may be contacted without the need to reapply.

LOV2030 selects candidates based on competencies and motivation and does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, origin, culture or belief.

How to Apply

Apply by Saturday 24 January 2026 (i.e. no later than Friday 23 January at 11:59 p.m.).

Please send the following documents to email hidden; JavaScript is required

• Curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter
• A brief explanatory note demonstrating how you meet the following experience criteria (for application screening purposes)
  • You have a proven track record in leading large-scale, complex projects or organisations, with at least 7 years of relevant senior leadership experience in a multi-stakeholder environment (public, private or international).
  • You bring at least 4 years of experience in managing teams.

Further Information

If you have any questions regarding the procedure or the content of the positions, you may contact the following persons as from Monday, 5 January 2026:

• Piet Forger, Director of Culture, City of Leuven, via email hidden; JavaScript is required
• Geertrui Vanloo, General Director, City of Leuven, via email hidden; JavaScript is required

In case of any issues with the dates or the location, please contact us and we will look for a suitable solution.