Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences – American University in Dubai

Job Description

The American University in Dubai (AUD) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, with a preferred start date of January 2027.

This is a senior academic leadership opportunity based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at a time of significant institutional development and growth.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Opportunity

The School of Arts and Sciences combines academic rigor, interdisciplinary education, research, and external engagement within an international university environment.

The incoming Dean will join AUD’s senior leadership team and contribute to the implementation of the university’s strategic priorities.

Key opportunities include:

• Promoting student success.
• Expanding faculty research capacity.
• Strengthening local and international partnerships.
• Developing graduate education.
• Supporting the evolving academic identity of the School.
• Advancing interdisciplinary collaboration across international affairs, psychology, biology, humanities, mathematics, and related areas.
• Supporting continued implementation of AUD’s revised Core Curriculum.

The Dean will work with faculty and students representing more than 100 countries within AUD’s multicultural academic community.

The Position

The Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences serves as the School’s chief academic and administrative officer and reports directly to the Provost.

The Dean is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across the School, including:

• Academic programme development.
• Curriculum design and review.
• Academic assessment.
• Accreditation.
• Faculty recruitment and development.
• Research and scholarship.
• Student success.
• External partnerships.
• Budget and resource management.
• School-level operations.

The Dean will also play an important role in strengthening the School’s research profile and cultivating a student-centered and globally engaged learning environment.

AUD seeks a leader who can build upon the School’s existing strengths while ensuring that its programmes respond to a changing professional and academic environment, including developments in:

• Data science.
• Artificial intelligence.
• Hybrid and technology-enabled education.
• Interdisciplinary learning.

The successful candidate should combine strong academic credibility with practical leadership experience and demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarship, professional development, student advising, and service.

Key Responsibilities

The Dean will be expected to:

• Provide strategic leadership for the School in alignment with AUD’s institutional mission and strategic plan.
• Oversee curriculum design and academic programme development.
• Lead the development of new academic programmes.
• Oversee academic assessment and continuous improvement processes.
• Support and uphold the principles of liberal arts education.
• Steward AUD’s university-wide Core Curriculum.
• Advance faculty research and scholarly activity.
• Promote external research funding and grant initiatives.
• Lead national and international accreditation processes.
• Strengthen student success and alumni engagement.
• Develop partnerships with social, business, government, and other organizations in Dubai and internationally.
• Manage the School’s budget, staffing, and operational efficiency.
• Recruit, retain, develop, and support a diverse and high-performing faculty.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the university.
• Represent the School professionally within AUD and to external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate the following:

• A PhD in an arts or sciences discipline from a regionally accredited institution, preferably a Western institution.
• At least 10 years of teaching experience.
• Academic rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor.
• A proven record of academic leadership in higher education.
• Demonstrated excellence in research and scholarly contributions.
• Experience in curriculum development.
• Experience with accreditation processes.
• Strong team leadership and communication capabilities.
• Multicultural fluency.
• Experience working within international academic environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional desirable experience includes:

• Leadership of externally funded initiatives.
• Experience developing or managing public-private partnerships.
• Ability to develop strong academic-industry networks.
• Familiarity with the UAE and Gulf higher education environment.
• Demonstrated success in leading institutional change and academic innovation.

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Compensation and Benefits

AUD states that the position offers a competitive compensation package based on the expatriate model.

Benefits include:

• Tax-exempt basic salary.
• Housing.
• Annual round-trip airfare.
• Health and life insurance.
• Professional membership support.
• Conference attendance expenses.
• Assistance with children’s tuition.
• Other applicable benefits.

About the American University in Dubai

The American University in Dubai is a private and academically and culturally inclusive institution founded in 1995.

AUD states that it was the first American university established in the Gulf region.

The university is accredited in the United States by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and in the United Arab Emirates by the Commission for Academic Accreditation.

AUD serves more than 2,300 students from over 100 countries across six existing schools:

• School of Architecture, Art & Design.
• School of Arts & Sciences.
• School of Business.
• School of Engineering.
• Graduate School of Education.
• Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication.

A School of Medicine is also under development in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

About the School of Arts and Sciences

The School of Arts and Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programmes designed to prepare students for leadership in international and interdisciplinary environments.

Undergraduate Programmes

The School currently offers:

• Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
• Bachelor of Science in Biology.

It also offers minors in:

• History.
• Humanities.
• Literature.
• Middle Eastern Studies.
• Politics.
• Social Sciences.
• Mathematics.

The School also offers an undergraduate Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies.

Graduate Programmes

At postgraduate level, the School offers a Master of Arts in International Affairs, with concentrations in:

• International Law and Diplomacy.
• Global Governance and Sustainability.
• Security Studies.

Core Curriculum

The School is home to AUD’s 36-credit Core Curriculum, which is required for all undergraduate students.

The revised Core Curriculum includes:

• Gateways to Higher Education.
• Big Questions courses.
• Core Experience courses.

Faculty teaching within the Core Curriculum are organised across:

• English.
• Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Mathematics.

External and Interdisciplinary Engagement

The School works with AUD’s Center for Executive Programs and Professional Services (CEPPS) to provide tailored professional education and development programmes for public and private sector organisations across the UAE.

It also collaborates with the AUD Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (AEIC) to support entrepreneurial leadership across the university.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Interested candidates should apply through the American University in Dubai Recruitment Portal under the position:

Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences

Applicants should provide:

• Cover letter.
• Updated curriculum vitae.
• Statement of teaching philosophy.
• Contact information for three academic or professional references.

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted for an interview.

Applicants should verify all vacancy information and application requirements through AUD’s official recruitment portal before submitting their application.