Head of Academic Appointments

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Faculty Affairs’ strategy and business plan to enhance teaching and research excellence across various programs.
• Align the strategic direction with the university’s objectives to promote academic success and faculty development.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices to continuously improve the academic affairs strategies and initiatives.
• Lead the identification, recruitment, appointment, and retention of qualified faculty members to support the university’s academic requirements.
• Collaborate with relevant teams to design and implement effective recruitment strategies and ensure a diverse and engaged academic population.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external institutions and organizations to attract top talent to the university.
• Implement retention strategies to enhance faculty satisfaction, engagement, and long-term commitment to the institution.
• Coordinate with the Education and Curriculum Development team to organize orientation activities for new faculty and academic administrators.
• Provide continuous support, guidance, and mentorship to faculty members on academic and non-academic matters to foster their professional growth and well-being.
• Implement initiatives to enhance faculty engagement, satisfaction, and overall academic experience within the institution.
• Facilitate professional development opportunities for faculty to enhance their teaching and research skills.
• Establish mentoring programs to support the career development of junior faculty members.
• Assist faculty in resolving conflicts with peers or students by providing necessary intervention and mediation to maintain a harmonious academic environment.
• Ensure that all faculty recruitment and appointment processes comply with university policies and regulations.
• Identify areas for process improvement, and develop and implement administrative processes to enhance operational efficiency and compliance with governing bodies’ requirements.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments to ensure adherence to best practices, regulatory standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership in academic affairs, working closely with senior academic leaders and administrative teams.
• Collaborate with the Associate Provost for Administrative Affairs and other key stakeholders to achieve academic goals and objectives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the academic affairs department.
• Lead and mentor a team of academic affairs professionals to ensure high performance and continuous professional development.
• Represent the university in academic forums, conferences, and other relevant events to promote academic excellence and reputation.
• Collect and analyze data related to faculty recruitment, retention, and performance to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Develop reports and presentations to senior management on key performance indicators, recruitment metrics, and faculty engagement.
• Utilize data insights to inform decision-making processes and enhance the effectiveness of academic affairs initiatives.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of recruitment and retention strategies on faculty satisfaction and academic outcomes.
• Implement data-driven approaches to optimize faculty recruitment processes and improve overall academic performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 to 12 years of progressive experience in academic affairs or faculty administration roles in a higher education institution of which 5 years should be in a management position showcasing the ability to lead and manage academic programs effectively.
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing faculty recruitment, appointment processes, promotions, and performance evaluations.
• Proven track record in strategic planning and implementation of academic programs to enhance teaching and research excellence.
• Experience in conflict resolution and mediation within an academic setting.
• Previous involvement in developing and implementing faculty development programs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common goals and foster positive relationships.
• A strong focus on meeting the needs of faculty members, academic administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure a supportive and conducive academic environment.
• Excellent communication skills to convey information clearly, facilitate understanding, and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work independently to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or equivalent.
• Experience working in a higher education setting
• Experience in a leadership role within an academic institution

Benefits

• Excellent communication skills to convey information clearly, facilitate understanding, and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work independently to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.

About the Company

MBZUAI is a leading university focused on artificial intelligence and innovation, dedicated to fostering academic excellence and research excellence. The university is committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment for faculty and staff to thrive and contribute to the advancement of AI technologies and applications.