Dean of Media & Mass Communication | AUE Dubai

Job Description

The American University in the Emirates (AUE) invites applications for the position of Dean of the College of Media and Mass Communication (CMMC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

This senior academic leadership role is responsible for advancing the College’s academic mission, strategic growth, research performance, student success, industry engagement, and operational effectiveness. The Dean will work closely with faculty, senior University leadership, government stakeholders, international organisations, and media and communication industry partners.

Employer: American University in the Emirates
College: College of Media and Mass Communication (CMMC)
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Employment Type: Full Time
Position: Dean of the College of Media and Mass Communication
Level: Senior Academic Leadership

Dean of Media and Mass Communication – Position Overview

The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Media and Mass Communication.

The role carries responsibility for:

• Strategic planning.
• Academic quality.
• Faculty development.
• Research advancement.
• Student success.
• Operational effectiveness.
• Industry engagement.
• Academic and professional partnerships.
• Accreditation.
• Financial and resource management.

The Dean is expected to align College initiatives with AUE’s institutional mission and strategic priorities while strengthening the College’s position in media, communication, and digital innovation at regional and international levels.

Strategic Leadership

The successful candidate will provide a clear and forward-looking vision for the College.

Responsibilities include:

• Advancing the College’s mission and long-term goals.
• Developing strategic academic priorities.
• Aligning College initiatives with national, regional, and global developments.
• Supporting innovation in media and communication education.
• Working with senior University leadership.
• Engaging faculty and external stakeholders.

Particular attention will be given to developments in media, communication, and digital innovation.

Academic Excellence and Programme Quality

The Dean will oversee academic standards and programme quality across the College.

Responsibilities include:

• Curriculum development.
• Academic standards.
• Programme quality.
• Continuous academic improvement.
• Alignment with international benchmarks.
• Alignment with media and communication industry expectations.

The successful candidate should have substantial experience in academic programme development and quality assurance.

Faculty Development

The Dean will provide leadership for faculty recruitment, development, evaluation, and scholarly productivity.

Responsibilities include:

• Recruiting academic staff.
• Mentoring faculty members.
• Evaluating faculty performance.
• Supporting teaching excellence.
• Encouraging research.
• Supporting professional practice.
• Promoting continuing professional development.

The role also requires the ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing academic culture.

Research and Innovation

The successful candidate will strengthen the College’s research environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Building a strong research culture.
• Encouraging interdisciplinary research.
• Promoting industry-based research projects.
• Supporting applied research.
• Helping faculty and students secure research funding.
• Encouraging publication in high-impact venues.

The College is particularly interested in academic leadership capable of connecting research with contemporary developments in media and communication.

Digital Media and Emerging Technologies

AUE identifies familiarity with emerging developments in media and communication as an important advantage.

Relevant areas include:

• Digital Media.
• Artificial Intelligence in Communication.
• Journalism Innovation.
• Media Technologies.

Candidates with experience integrating these areas into teaching, research, programme development, or industry engagement may be particularly well aligned with the role.

Student Success and Employability

The Dean will lead initiatives designed to strengthen student engagement and professional preparation.

Responsibilities include:

• Improving student engagement.
• Supporting retention.
• Strengthening career readiness.
• Developing internship opportunities.
• Supporting experiential learning.
• Expanding mentorship.
• Building industry-placement opportunities.

The role therefore places significant emphasis on connecting academic programmes with professional practice and graduate employability.

Industry, Community and Government Partnerships

The successful candidate will build and maintain strategic relationships with:

• Media organisations.
• Creative industries.
• Government agencies.
• International institutions.
• Professional partners.

These partnerships should support learning outcomes, applied projects, professional opportunities, and wider societal impact.

Resource and Financial Management

The Dean will oversee the College’s financial and operational resources.

Responsibilities include:

• Budget management.
• Financial planning.
• Resource allocation.
• Revenue development.
• Sponsorship opportunities.
• External funding.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate substantial administrative and financial-management capability.

Policy, Ethics and Advocacy

The successful candidate will contribute to discussions relating to:

• Media policy.
• Media ethics.
• Communication practices.
• Responsible media.
• Academic freedom.

The Dean is expected to promote innovation while supporting responsible professional and academic practice.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The role includes responsibility for promoting:

• Diversity.
• Equity.
• Inclusion.
• Culturally responsive education.

The Dean will help create an inclusive learning and working environment across academic programmes, faculty activities, and student initiatives.

Accreditation and Compliance

The successful candidate will lead academic quality and compliance activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring compliance with institutional policies.
• Supporting accreditation requirements.
• Meeting relevant regulatory standards.
• Leading accreditation reviews.
• Supporting continuous improvement.

Experience with regional or international accreditation relevant to media and communication programmes is preferred.

Advancement and Fundraising

The Dean will support AUE’s wider advancement strategy.

Responsibilities include:

• Building relationships with donors.
• Engaging sponsors.
• Developing external partnerships.
• Securing support for academic programmes.
• Supporting research funding.
• Supporting student initiatives.

Experience in fundraising, grant acquisition, and partnership development is therefore highly relevant.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must hold a:

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Media Studies, Mass Communication, Journalism, Digital Media, Strategic Communication, or a closely related field.

Required Leadership Experience

Candidates must demonstrate:

• At least five years of senior academic leadership experience.
• Leadership experience at Associate Dean level or higher.
• Experience gained at an accredited university.

Academic Profile

Applicants should have a distinguished record in:

• Teaching.
• Research.
• Scholarly publication.
• Media and communication disciplines.

Candidates should also demonstrate experience in:

• Strategic planning.
• Academic programme development.
• Quality assurance.

Professional Networks

Applicants should demonstrate strong professional relationships with:

• Media organisations.
• Government entities.
• Industry partners.

These networks are important for advancing partnerships, employability, applied research, and the external profile of the College.

Leadership and Management Skills

Candidates should demonstrate excellent:

• Leadership skills.
• Communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Decision-making ability.

The role requires the ability to lead a complex academic unit and work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

The following are preferred:

• Experience with regional or international accreditation in media and communication.
• Knowledge of digital media developments.
• Knowledge of AI in communication.
• Experience with journalism innovation.
• Familiarity with contemporary media technologies.
• Budget-management experience.
• Fundraising experience.
• Grant-acquisition experience.
• External partnership development.
• Experience in multicultural and international higher education environments.

Reporting and Supervision

The Dean provides leadership and supervision to:

• Associate Dean(s).
• Department Chair(s).
• Programme Director(s).
• College Coordinator(s).
• Faculty.
• Administrative staff within the College.

The Dean reports directly to the University’s senior leadership.

About the American University in the Emirates

The American University in the Emirates (AUE) is located in Dubai International Academic City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

AUE states that it is accredited by SACSCOC – the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The University is also officially licensed to operate as a higher education institution, with its programmes accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Education, United Arab Emirates.

AUE includes colleges covering areas such as:

• Law.
• Education.
• Design.
• Business Administration.
• Health Sciences.
• Media and Mass Communication.
• Engineering and Technology.
• Security and Strategic Studies.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official American University in the Emirates recruitment system.

The current online application form asks candidates to provide information including:

• Highest qualification.
• Degree specialisation.
• Awarding university.
• Graduation year.
• Academic rank.
• Teaching experience.
• Scopus Author Identifier.
• Number of Scopus-indexed peer-reviewed journal articles during the previous five years.
• Current location.
• Current and expected salary.
• CV/resume.

The application form specifically states that only PhD holders are accepted.

Applicants should verify all requirements and the current recruitment status through AUE’s official careers portal before submitting their application.

Job Summary

Field	Details
Employer	American University in the Emirates
College	College of Media and Mass Communication (CMMC)
Location	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Employment Type	Full Time
Position	Dean of the College of Media and Mass Communication
Level	Senior Academic Leadership
Required Qualification	PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Media Studies, Mass Communication, Journalism, Digital Media, Strategic Communication, or closely related field
Leadership Experience	Minimum 5 years at Associate Dean level or higher in an accredited university
Core Areas	Strategy, academic quality, faculty development, research, student success, accreditation, industry engagement
Preferred Expertise	Digital media, AI in communication, journalism innovation, media technologies
External Engagement	Media organisations, government entities, industry and international partners
Financial Responsibilities	Budgeting, resource allocation, fundraising and external funding
Supervisory Responsibility	Associate Deans, Chairs, Programme Directors, Coordinators, faculty and administrative staff
Application Deadline	Not stated