Head of Culture 

Position: Head of Culture
Type of employment: Full-time. Two years contract with the possibility of extension.
Starting date: 5 January 2026 
Location: Consulate General of Denmark in New York, 666 Third Avenue, 11th Floor, 10017-2201 New York
Deadline for application: 10 October 2025

The Consulate General of Denmark in New York is looking for a visionary, dynamic and knowledgeable Head of Culture to take ownership of and further develop our Cultural Diplomacy efforts in New York City and across the US East Coast.

The Consulate advises and facilitates cultural partnerships and projects as well as nation branding initiatives within the strategic framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Culture. The Consulates Cultural Diplomacy and Public Diplomacy efforts are closely coordinated and both aspire to generate synergies with our Economic Diplomacy efforts - in alignment with Denmark’s foreign policy and priorities.
  
The Head of Culture will therefore collaborate closely with both the Public Diplomacy responsible and our local Economic Diplomacy Team and coordinate with the Cultural Diplomacy efforts at the Danish Embassy in Washington – as well as with other Danish missions in the US and with the broader initiatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when relevant. 


Main tasks and responsibilities: 

• Implementing Denmark’s international cultural exchange strategy with emphasis on New York City and also covering 21 US East Coast states and two territories.
• Engaging and expanding the Consulate General’s network of local and international stakeholders within arts and culture, media, local government, as well as non-profits and private sector organizations. 
• Advising and coordinating Cultural & Public Diplomacy initiatives and special projects, including outreach, partnerships, project management, implementation, grant reporting and evaluation.
• Coordinating cultural efforts with implementation of MFA communications, press and digital diplomacy strategies, as well as with other Danish Missions in the US and relevant institutions and funding bodies in Denmark.
• Developing synergies with the Economic Diplomacy Team.
• Supporting official and high-level visits in regard to programming and communication for Ministers, MPs, Royal Family, city and regional representatives as well as special delegations.
• Fundraising, grant management, financial accountability and reporting

Required Qualifications: 

• Relevant university degree (or equivalent professional training), i.e. within the fields of Arts or Culture/Humanities.
• Deep professional knowledge of the Danish and international cultural sectors and stakeholder fields.
• Demonstrated experience working with international cultural exchange and strategic partnerships.   
• Visionary, proactive and natural networker with a keen eye for cultural and societal trends, partnership opportunities and cross-cutting synergies.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills, as well as ability to work independently and efficiently.
• A structured mind-set, solid planning and coordination skills.
• Excellent command of English – both oral and written.

Desired qualifications: 

• Proficiency in Danish language, culture, history and society.
• Special knowledge of the US and international cultural sectors as well as personal connections or prior collaborations with New York-based arts institutions.
• Fundraising, branding and/or strategic communications training. Experience with cross-sector collaboration between non-profit, government and private stakeholders, including economic and political diplomacy. A large personal network within the cultural sector.

Official working language: English


Employment conditions

• You will be offered two years full time employment until 31 December 2027 - with the possibility of extension.
• Your standard working hours will be 37 hours per week.
• You will be entitled to 5 weeks (25 working days) of paid vacation days per year.
• You will be offered reasonable coverage of sickness expenses. So will your spouse/partner/children under the age of 26 if you provide for him/her/them.
• As part of your salary, you will be covered by a workplace pension scheme
• The gross yearly salary for the position – for an employee subject to US income taxation – is $97,000. For a tax-exempt employee (non-US) the yearly net salary is $77,600. Depending on the candidate’s qualifications, an additional individual allowance may be added.

Application and recruitment process 
To apply for the position, please send your application (cover letter, CV, proof of relevant education, recommendations and 2-3 references) in English to the Consulate General. You can either send your application by mail (see address at top right corner) or by email to [email protected] marked “Head of Culture Application. Your name”. Your application should be in our possession no later than 10 October, 2025. 

Selected candidates will be invited for interviews – expected to take place in October. 

The Royal Danish Consulate General in New York attaches great importance to equal opportunities for all and therefore welcomes applications from all qualified persons. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, age, national origin and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability

The chosen candidate must present a “No Criminal Record” and pass security clearance by the Danish authorities prior to appointment.


Questions
For any questions regarding this position, please contact Viceconsul, Head of Culture Maiken Tandgaard Derno on [email protected] or +1 212 705 4938 or Consul General Helle Meinertz on [email protected]. 


About the Consulate General of Denmark 
The Consulate General of Denmark in New York is part of the Danish Foreign Service. The Consulate General is an ambitious, high-paced and dynamic workplace with approximately 45 employees. 

About us (um.dk)

Consulate General of Denmark in New York (um.dk)