Head of Academic Appointments

Job Purpose:

The Head of Academic Appointments at MBZUAI oversees activities crucial for the academic success of faculty, academic support staff, and research support staff. Responsibilities include managing faculty recruitment, appointment processes, promotions, performance reviews, and academic hiring procedures. This role collaborates closely with senior academic leaders and reports to the Associate Provost for Administrative Affairs, providing strategic leadership and upholding excellence, honesty, and integrity. Key duties involve developing Faculty Affairs’ strategy, ensuring the recruitment and retention of qualified faculty members, offering support and mentorship to faculty, and resolving conflicts as needed. Overall, the Head of Academic Appointments plays a vital role in fostering academic excellence and success within the university community.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Implementation:

• 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.

Faculty Recruitment and Retention:

• 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.
• Analyze recruitment data and trends to optimize recruitment processes and ensure the selection of high-quality faculty members.

Orientation and Support:

• 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.

Conflict Resolution and Mediation:

• Assist faculty in resolving conflicts with peers or students by providing necessary intervention and mediation to maintain a harmonious academic environment.
• Implement strategies to address conflicts effectively and promote a positive and collaborative academic culture within the institution.
• Implement initiatives to enhance faculty engagement, satisfaction, and overall academic experience within the institution.

Compliance and Process Improvement:

• 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.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• 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.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• 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.

Academic Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or equivalent.

Professional Experience:

Essential

• 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.
• 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

• 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