Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Purpose:
The Community Building Specialist enhances student life at MBZUAI by fostering leadership, teamwork, and community through sports, fitness, and recreational programs. This role oversees signature events, student societies, and sports teams while ensuring inclusive participation. Key responsibilities include managing campus activities, collaborating with UAE universities for intercollegiate sports, and optimizing MBZUAI’s gym and recreational facilities. The specialist also ensures accessibility for students of determination, maintains compliance with health and safety standards, and oversees vendor partnerships and budgets. By driving student engagement and wellbeing, this role contributes to a dynamic and inclusive university experience.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Development and Management:
- Design and implement community-building initiatives, including sports, recreation, team-building, and co-curricular activities for MBZUAI graduate students.
- Plan and oversee major campus events such as International Day, cultural celebrations, and large-scale student gatherings.
- Establish and manage MBZUAI sports teams, particularly in disciplines supported by Abu Dhabi sports councils and organizations.
- Support the formation and sustainability of graduate student societies.
- Collaborate with UAE universities to develop and participate in intercollegiate sports leagues and competitions.
- Organize sports events, tournaments, and recreational activities to ensure broad student participation.
- Optimize the use of MBZUAI gym and swimming pool facilities by coordinating fitness classes and indoor sports programs.
- Arrange outdoor and adventure experiences to introduce students to recreational opportunities across the UAE.
- Develop wellness initiatives and low-intensity fitness programs that promote physical activity for all students.
- Contribute to university-wide programs such as orientation, wellbeing initiatives, global observances, leadership training, and personal development events by integrating health and fitness components.
- Secure access to external sports and recreational facilities for MBZUAI activities.
- Develop and oversee budgets for events, sports, and recreational programs, ensuring compliance with MBZUAI financial policies.
- Assess program impact through participation data and student feedback, providing reports with recommendations for continuous improvement.
Student Engagement:
- Implement strategies to encourage student participation in sports and recreational activities, including social media engagement.
- Develop initiatives to ensure students of determination have equitable access to sports and physical recreation.
Community Engagement:
- Build partnerships with universities, Masdar City, and Abu Dhabi communities to promote shared sports and recreational initiatives.
Facility and Equipment Management:
- Oversee the maintenance and safe usage of the MBZUAI gym and swimming pool in collaboration with General Services.
- Procure and manage sports equipment and supplies for campus programs and activities.
- Arrange procurement and upkeep of team kits for MBZUAI sports teams and branded apparel for university representation in competitions.
Health and Safety Compliance:
- Ensure that all sports and recreational activities adhere to applicable safety standards including laws, government and sports council regulations, and MBZUAI policies and procedures.
Liaise with General Services to ensure sporting equipment meets applicable safety and maintenance standards.
Other Duties:
- Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.
Academic Qualifications:
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Sport, Physical Education, Outdoor Education, Sports Science, or similar qualification. A postgraduate degree in a related discipline is preferred.
- A postgraduate qualification in relevant discipline is preferred.
Professional Experience:
Essential
- At least four years’ experience working in relevant fields as a university sports coordinator, personal trainer, physical education teacher, and/or sports team manager.
- Up-to-date knowledge of sporting and wellness trends.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven ability to motivate individuals to participate and achieve in sporting activities.
- Experience effectively managing sports teams.
- Strong leadership qualities with proven ability to motivate, inspire, and lead a diverse team, and mold a cohesive team culture.
- Knowledge of game strategies, rules, and coaching techniques in a variety of sporting disciplines.
- Excellent organizational abilities to manage logistics, schedules, and administrative tasks efficiently.
- Experience in player development, identifying talent, and implementing training programs to enhance individual and team performance.
- Proven success in building and maintaining relationships with sponsors, media, supporters, and other key stakeholders to support team objectives.
- A record of personal achievement in a team or individual sporting discipline.
- Flexibility and adaptability to work irregular hours to support recreational activities, events, and competitions.
Preferred
- Experience working in the UAE.
- Professional credentialling in a relevant discipline such as coaching or personal training.
- First aid certification.
- Experience facilitating sports involvement for international students.
- Experience managing a budget.
- Exposure to and understanding of Middle Eastern business and cultural practices.
