Dean of the School of Business | American University in Dubai | Senior Leadership Opportunity

Job Description

The American University in Dubai (AUD) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Business. Therefore, this is a pivotal leadership opportunity at a time of strong institutional momentum as AUD celebrates its 30th anniversary. Furthermore, the School of Business stands at the forefront of innovation in business education across the region—combining academic rigor, interdisciplinary thinking, and deep industry engagement in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

About AUD:
The American University in Dubai is a private, academically and culturally inclusive institution of higher learning, providing a globally recognized American education. Notably, when it was established in 1995, AUD became the first American university in the entire Gulf region. Additionally, it is accredited:

• In the United States by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• In the United Arab Emirates by the Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)

University Overview:
AUD’s 2,200+ students come from 100+ countries and are enrolled in one of its six 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

Additionally, a School of Medicine, under development now with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, will be the university’s seventh.

About the School of Business:
The School of Business at AUD is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare students for leadership in the global marketplace. Furthermore, the School offers:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with majors in:
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications
  • AI in Business
• IAA Certificate in Marketing Communications
• Certificate in Management Accounting
• Dual-degree program with Manchester Metropolitan University
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in Finance, Management, and Marketing
• Master of Science in Innovation Management (MSIM)
• Nine-credit graduate certificate in Entrepreneurship and Management (delivered in partnership with Amazon, launching Summer 2026)

The Position:
The Dean of the School of Business serves as the School’s chief academic and administrative officer and reports directly to the Provost. Additionally, the Dean is responsible for:

• Overseeing program development and accreditation
• Recruiting and supporting faculty
• Managing school-level operations
• Expanding external partnerships
• Enhancing the School’s research profile
• Cultivating a student-centered, globally engaged learning environment

Key Responsibilities:

• First and foremost, provide strategic leadership for the School, aligned with AUD’s institutional mission and strategic plan
• Additionally, oversee curriculum design, development of new programs, and academic assessment processes
• Furthermore, advance faculty research, scholarly activity, and external grant initiatives
• Moreover, lead AACSB and national accreditation processes
• In addition, strengthen student success and alumni engagement
• Furthermore, cultivate partnerships with business and government organizations in Dubai and beyond
• Additionally, collaborate with AUD’s Center for Executive Programs and Professional Services on outreach and training
• Moreover, manage the School’s budget, staffing, and operational efficiency
• Furthermore, recruit, retain, and support a diverse and high-performing faculty
• Additionally, promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the university
• Finally, represent the School internally and externally with professionalism and purpose

Required Qualifications:

• To begin with, candidates must have a Ph.D. in a business discipline from a regionally accredited (preferably Western) institution
• Furthermore, at least ten years of teaching experience, including significant graduate-level instruction and attainment of the rank of Associate or Full Professor
• Additionally, a proven track record of academic leadership in higher education
• Moreover, demonstrated excellence in research and scholarly contributions
• Furthermore, experience in curriculum development and accreditation (e.g., AACSB)
• Additionally, strong team leadership and communication skills
• Finally, multicultural fluency and experience in international academic settings

Preferred Qualifications:

• Executive education, consulting, or business practice experience
• Experience managing externally funded initiatives and/or public-private partnerships and ability to build robust academic-industry networks
• Familiarity with the UAE and Gulf business environment
• Demonstrated success leading change and innovation in academic setting

Compensation & Benefits:
The compensation package for this position is competitive and is based on the expatriate model. Benefits include:

• Tax-exempt basic salary
• Housing allowance
• Annual round-trip ticket
• Health and life insurance
• Professional memberships
• Conference attendance expenses
• Assistance with children’s tuition
• Additional components

Application Requirements:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications through AUD’s Recruitment Portal with the subject line “Dean of the School of Business,” where they can create their profiles and provide the necessary documents:

• First, a cover letter
• Second, an updated CV
• Third, a statement of teaching philosophy
• Fourth, contact information of three (3) academic/professional references

Important Dates:

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

Location:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates