Executive Director Emirati Pathway Programs

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint an Executive Director for Emirati Pathway Programs, reporting to the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Planning.

This Executive Director Emirati Pathway Programs will develop, implement and oversee delivery of the Emirati pathway programs outlined below:

• The NYUAD Summer Academy (SA): a two-year program designed to enhance the academic profiles of highly motivated Abu Dhabi-based Emirati high school students by preparing them for entry into top-tier English-language universities.
• The Sheikh Mohamed Scholars Program (SMSP): a program that is open to top students at the three national UAE universities; Zayed University (ZU), the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT); and provides unique access to specially designed courses, lectures, leadership experiences, networking.
• The Academic Enrichment Program (AEP): provides degree-seeking NYUAD Emirati students with additional support, enrichment activities, and the skills needed to excel and thrive in a world-class research and liberal arts institution.
• The PhD pathway program: a new program that aims to address the challenge of underrepresentation of Emirati PhDs and professors.
• Work with other units on other programs that target Emirati students, such as Kawader, a-Research Assistant & Post-Doc development program

These programs form the core of NYU Abu Dhabi’s Emirati Pathway Programs, which offer rigorous educational, cross-cultural, and leadership development experiences to Emirati students, from the prospective college stage through the PhD and postdoc, and equip students from local institutions for admission to the world's top undergraduate and graduate programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Spearhead the development and revision of the Emirati pathway programs, current and new
• Support the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Planning in overseeing programs and initiatives in support of academic success and outstanding learning experiences for all students and developing, reviewing, and implementing the policies and academic integrity frameworks for the Emirati Pathway Programs
• Contribute to the long and mid-range strategy as well as provide day-to-day stability for supported programs
• Lead on special projects as assigned by the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Planning
• Design the long and mid-range strategy as well as providing day-to-day stability for supported programs
• Work with faculty to provide resources to support the learning environments, including reviews of curricula, syllabi, and pedagogical methods to ensure a rich diversity of perspectives, as well as interdisciplinary options, across our educational offerings
• Plan initiatives to ensure student success; promote an environment that creates a campus culture that appreciates, respects and celebrates the cultural norms and values of an international community of scholars in resident in Abu Dhabi
• Anticipate the changing needs of students, keeping abreast of evolving initiatives and programming priorities, and fostering student mentoring
• Collaborate with faculty and advisors to develop policies, responses and solutions to student issues, concerns and problems
• Prepare the programs’ annual operating budget, monitor budget performance, and assure that all expenditure is administered in compliance with NYUAD approved policies and requirements
• Collaborate with NYUAD Senior Administration and NYU administrators in New York and on NYU’s global sites to develop the supported programs’ exposure to the global sites
• Hire all faculty, participate in student candidate selection, manage all staff responsible for the program, deliver and develop the programmatic activities and manage the budget
• May also lead courses

Required Education:

• PhD degree

Required Experience:

• 15 + years of experience working with high level leadership in higher education with a proven track record of enhancing the quality of life for students in and out of the classroom, working creatively and effectively with students and colleagues throughout the institution
• Demonstrated ability to envision, develop and implement creative programs that enhance the quality of students’ educational journey
• Excellent communication skills; ability to work with colleagues at all levels
• Outstanding problem solving skills and the ability to reconcile differences in a way that reflects a collaborative approach and sensitivity to different views
• The ability to anticipate issues and take pre-emptive action
• Ability to lead multiple projects at once and execute multiple initiatives simultaneously and effectively
• Willingness to prioritize and adapt as necessary
• Well-developed cultural sensitivity
• Enthusiasm and energetic desire to carry out specific mission of programs.
• Demonstrated success in adapting to rapidly changing business circumstances in a complex environment
• A self-starter, with the drive and passion to complete complex tasks within a matrix environment, and help build an institution in a multi -jurisdictional environment

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working directly with students or relevant training. Experience working in a cross-cultural environment
• Knowledge and familiarity with the UAE and local customs and educational institutions