Chanel Head of Region: Africa & Middle East
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Director
- Department
- Corporate Affairs, Sustainability & CSR
- Posted
- Jul 16, 2026
About Chanel
Chanel is one of the world’s most revered luxury houses, founded by Gabrielle Chanel and distinguished by an enduring vision of elegance, freedom, and modernity. As an employer, the House brings together métiers ranging from haute couture, fashion and leather goods to fragrance, beauty, watches, and fine jewelry, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship and creative audacity. Chanel values excellence, discretion, collaboration, and long-term development, fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and heritage is continually reinterpreted for contemporary clients. Its teams are united by a commitment to quality, innovation, and the timeless spirit of the brand.
Chanel Fondation is seeking a Head of Region to lead Africa & Middle East operations from London. Senior philanthropic leadership role.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all Fondation CHANEL activities and strategic initiatives across the Africa and Middle East region
- Develop and execute regional grant-making strategies aligned with the Foundation's core pillars
- Build and maintain relationships with government bodies, cultural institutions, NGOs, and private partners
- Oversee programme implementation, monitoring, and impact assessment across the portfolio
- Represent the Foundation at high-level stakeholder engagements and public events
- Manage the regional team and budget allocation
- Report on regional performance and contribute to global Foundation strategy
Qualifications
- Extensive executive experience in philanthropy, development, or international relations
- Proven track record in leading regional operations within Africa and/or the Middle East
- Deep understanding of the cultural, social, and economic landscapes of the region
- Strong stakeholder management and diplomatic skills
- Strategic planning and programme management expertise
- Fluency in English; French highly advantageous
Skills
Experience
Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience in a foundation, NGO, government, or international development context, with substantial experience working in Africa and/or the Middle East.
Education
Bachelor's degree in international relations, development studies, business administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
Workplace
This position is based in London, England, UK.
Culture
Chanel fosters a culture of timeless creativity, exacting craftsmanship, and quiet excellence, where employees are encouraged to uphold the house’s heritage while contributing to its continued innovation. The workplace environment is refined, collaborative, and deeply committed to quality, offering professionals the opportunity to grow within a globally respected maison that values discretion, artistry, and long-term vision.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Chanel, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Regional Director, Africa & Middle East», «Regional Head, Foundation Operations», «Regional Executive, Philanthropic Affairs», «Foundation Regional Manager», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.