Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Purpose:
The Associate Director for Faculty Excellence and Advancement is responsible for the operational leadership and execution of the Office of Faculty Excellence and Advancement’s (OFEA) mandate across its three-pillar framework: Advancement, Excellence, and Community & Belonging. The role ensures that faculty lifecycle processes, excellence programs, and community initiatives are delivered consistently and efficiently, in alignment with the university’s strategy. The Associate Director oversees specialist teams, drives process improvement, and ensures data-informed evaluation of programs and outcomes to enhance faculty success, retention, and institutional excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership and Office Management
- Lead the day-to-day operational execution of OFEA’s pillar framework, translating strategic direction into effective programs, processes, and services.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of all OFEA specialists and consultants, ensuring clarity of roles, accountability, and high performance.
- Establish clear operating workflows, service standards, and escalation paths across the office.
- Support the Vice Provost with operational planning, prioritization, and progress reporting.
Faculty Advancement and Review Processes
- Oversee the effective delivery of faculty lifecycle processes, including probation, annual reviews, midterm reviews, promotion, tenure, contract renewal, and related reviews.
- Ensure procedural integrity, policy compliance, documentation accuracy, and consistent application of faculty review frameworks.
- Identify risks or compliance gaps and implement corrective actions in coordination with Faculty Review Specialists.
Faculty Excellence Programs and Talent Development
- Oversee the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of faculty excellence initiatives, including mentoring, leadership development, grant writing support, awards, and academic development programs.
- Ensure programs align with university priorities, faculty needs, and national and international best practices.
- Support the integration of excellence programs with faculty career progression and recognition frameworks.
Community, Belonging, and Faculty Engagement
- Oversee initiatives that foster faculty inclusion, belonging, and community engagement, including spousal and family networks, dual-career support, and faculty networks.
- Ensure community building activities that enhance faculty experience, retention, and integration within MBZUAI and the UAE.
- Monitor participation, feedback, and outcomes to ensure initiatives deliver meaningful impact.
Policy Development and Governance
- Oversee the development, review, and maintenance of faculty-related policies, guidelines, and procedures.
- Ensure policies remain current, evidence-based, and aligned with institutional governance, accreditation requirements, and global best practices.
- Support internal and external communications related to faculty policies, programs, and recognition initiatives.
Data, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement
- Establish data informed evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of OFEA programs and services.
- Monitor key performance indicators related to faculty advancement, excellence, engagement, and retention.
- Use insights and evidence to recommend improvements, scale successful initiatives, and inform leadership decision-making.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
- Act as a key operational liaison with academic leadership, HR, Research, Graduate and Undergraduate Academic Division, and other university departments.
- Support partnerships with external stakeholders, where relevant, to advance faculty development, recognition, and talent pipelines.
- Ensure consistent messaging, coordination, and alignment across OFEA initiatives.
Other Duties
- Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.
Academic Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Education, or related discipline.
- A doctoral degree in a related discipline will be preferred, but not mandatory.
Professional Experience:
Essential
- Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in faculty affairs, academic administration, talent management, or a related higher education function.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex operational functions, including supervision of multidisciplinary specialist teams and consultants.
- Proven track record overseeing faculty lifecycle processes, such as probation, annual review, promotion, tenure, contract renewal, or equivalent academic review frameworks.
- Strong experience in programme design, implementation, and evaluation, including faculty development, mentoring, leadership, or excellence initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into processes, supported by clear governance, service standards, and performance measures.
- Experience developing, reviewing, or implementing policies, procedures, and institutional guidelines.
- Strong analytical and data-informed decision-making skills, with experience using metrics to assess effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work credibly with senior academic leaders and central administrative departments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of reports, briefings, and policy documentation.
Preferred
- Experience in a research-intensive or internationally oriented university environment.
- Exposure to faculty excellence, promotion, tenure, grants support, or academic career progression frameworks.
- Experience supporting faculty engagement, community, or inclusion initiatives.
- Familiarity with the UAE’s higher education governance & academic contexts.
- Experience managing or contributing to institutional change initiatives within academic environments.
