The newly created role will involve McColgan leading a team of 25 people to deliver the city council's cultural programme.
McColgan is currently the executive producer for Liverpool Culture Company, which will cease to exist by the end of this year as Liverpool's European Capital of Culture status comes to an end.
"The success of 2008 was all about partnership working and along with other cultural organisations in the city we can start thinking about new ways to keep the amazing momentum going and build on the legacy of the year," said McColgan.