Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Purpose:
The Associate Head of Academic Student Success will design and lead academic advising and student support operations for MBZUAI’s undergraduate program. Reporting to the Director of Undergraduate Academic Excellence, the role is central to strengthening student achievement, engagement, retention, and persistence. This position requires strategic experience that can build effective support structures, manage a professional advising team, and apply emerging technologies such as AI-enabled platforms to enhance advising practices. The Associate Head will oversee a comprehensive support ecosystem, including academic advising, peer mentoring, tutoring, writing assistance, and embedded skill-building programs. Working closely with faculty, academic departments, and Institutional Effectiveness, the role will use data-driven approaches to monitor student progress, implement targeted interventions, and promote continuous improvement in undergraduate success.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Leadership & Advising Framework:
- Partner with the Director of Academic Excellence to design and implement the undergraduate academic advising framework, aligned with MBZUAI’s mission and global best practices.
- Develop and maintain advising policies, protocols, and workflows to ensure consistent, high-quality support for diverse student needs.
- Manage and support a team of academic advisors, including training, resources, and assessment, to deliver proactive, developmental advising.
- Represent as advisors in institutional committees, professional networks, and conferences to position MBZUAI as a thought leader in academic excellence.
Student Success & Retention:
- Monitor student progress, persistence, and completion rates, leveraging data to design early alerts and targeted interventions for at-risk students.
- Launch and oversee initiatives such as first-year advising, academic recovery programs, and tailored support for high-achieving students.
- Ensure advising and programming foster holistic student development, including academic, personal, and career growth.
- Partner with Institutional Effectiveness and data analysts to create dashboards, predictive tools, and reports to guide evidence-based decision-making.
Peer Mentorship & Learning Support:
- Design and oversee structured peer mentorship programs to support student integration, transition, and success.
- Recruit, train, and supervise peer mentors, aligning mentorship activities with academic goals and faculty expectations.
- Oversee tutoring and writing centers, ensuring accessible, high-quality academic support in key subject areas.
- Integrate tutoring and writing support into courses and assignments, using feedback and performance metrics to enhance effectiveness.
Curriculum-Embedded Support Programs:
- Lead the development of foundational academic support initiatives (e.g., English language, math, coding) embedded within the undergraduate curriculum.
- Collaborate with faculty and departments to identify needs, embed support, and recommend enhancements or remedial strategies.
- Develop workshops, orientations, and seminars to promote academic skills, self-regulated learning, and student development.
Collaboration & Engagement
- Collaborate with faculty, academic departments, student life, and institutional leadership to ensure integrated student support.
- Work with Marketing & Communications (MARCOMMs) to ensure clear communication of student success services and resources.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and student-centered service across advising and academic support 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 education, higher education administration or a related field.
Professional Experience:
Essential
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience in academic advising and student support services, preferably within higher education.
- Proven track record in designing and managing student success initiatives, including advising strategies, peer mentorship, and tutoring programs.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams, drive change, and apply change management methodologies in dynamic environments.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and coaching skills, with experience in conflict resolution and delivering presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and influence senior leadership while effectively engaging diverse cultural communities.
- Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, reporting, and the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and superior written and verbal communication abilities.
Preferred
- Experience working in the UAE or similar multicultural environments, with an understanding of the needs of diverse student and staff populations.
- Knowledge of higher education frameworks for student support and/or excellence.
