Dean - School of Architecture & Design

PositionRequiresRelocationtoKuwait

Thispositionacceptsunaccompaniedcandidatesonly.

Classification:Executive/AcademicLeadership

ReportsTo: VicePresidentforAcademicAffairs(VPAA)

AboutThe American InternationalUniversity

American InternationalUniversity(AIU)isaprivateinstitutionin Kuwait,foundedin 2019,offeringundergraduateprogramsbasedontheAmericanmodelofhighereducation. AIUprovidesdegreesinEngineering,ArchitectureandDesign, and BusinessAdministration,withEnglish asthelanguageofinstruction. TheUniversityiscommittedtofosteringintellectual, cultural, and personalgrowth,preparinggraduatesforleadershiproles in a globalsociety.

For moreinformation,visit:

The SchoolofArchitectureandDesignattheAmerican InternationalUniversityin KuwaitcomprisesthedisciplinesofArchitecture, InteriorDesign, andGraphicDesign. The Schooloffersundergraduateprogrammesdesignedtopreparestudentsforprofessionalpracticethroughacombinationofcreativeinquiry,technicalexpertise, andappliedlearning.

Scopeof Work

The DeanoftheSchoolofArchitectureandDesignservesasthechiefacademicofficer,providingstrategicvisionandoperationalleadershipfortheSchool. The Deanpromotesexcellenceinteaching,scholarship, andcommunityengagementsupportsinnovativeacademicprograms andadvancesdiversityinfacultyandstudentrecruitment. The rolealsoinvolvesfosteringinterdisciplinarycollaboration,strengtheningconnectionswithlocal andinternationalcommunities, andenhancingtheSchool'svisibilityand resourcestosupportitsacademicmissionand futuregrowth.

KeyResponsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the School of Architecture and Design, including faculty, academic programs, budgets, and administrative functions.
Lead faculty recruitment, evaluation, mentoring, and professional development while fostering a culture of research, scholarship, and creative activity.
Maintain engagement with the Industry Advisory Committee and strengthen partnerships with industry, professional organizations, and community stakeholders to support internships, experiential learning, and graduate employability.
Support studio-based learning, student exhibitions, competitions, portfolios, and professional practice opportunities.
Ensure effective representation of the School in university leadership activities and maintain accurate public communications regarding programs, achievements, and student opportunities.
Lead institutional and programmatic accreditation, quality assurance, assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives, with knowledge of American higher education accreditation standards.
Manage strategic planning, resource allocation, and budget oversight for the School.
Oversee Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design programs, ensuring academic excellence through curriculum development, assessment, scheduling, accreditation, and continuous improvement.

MinimumQualifications:

The ideal candidateshalldemonstrateexperienceinprofessionalandacademicpositions, aswellas astrongrecordinteachingandoutstandingacademicachievementsattheinternationallevel. The candidateisexpectedtodemonstrateongoingcontributionsintheirfieldofspecializationthroughpublishedresearchinrecognizedinternationalscientificjournals, aswellasparticipationinexhibitions,conferences, andsymposiums, inadditiontopossessingthefollowingdegrees,qualifications, andprofessionalexperience:

Ph.D. or equivalent from a recognized university.
Rank of Professor in Architecture, Interior Design, Graphic Design, or a related discipline.
Distinguished record of teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, and/or professional practice, with ongoing contributions through publications, exhibitions, conferences, and professional engagement.
Proven academic leadership experience, preferably at Dean level or equivalent, with a demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and School development.
Experience with accreditation, assessment, quality assurance, and continuous improvement processes within architecture, design, or related disciplines.
Familiarity with credit-hour and semester-based academic systems.
Knowledge of higher education administration, including budgeting, human resources, and operational management.
Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and partnership-building skills.
Experience working within American or internationally accredited higher education systems preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead creative, design-oriented academic disciplines.
English proficiency required Arabic proficiency is an advantage.

AdditionalQualifications

Prioritywillbegiventoapplicantswiththefollowingqualifications:

Managerialexperienceandtheskillsnecessarytolaunchpioneeringprojects.

Multi-culturalskills.

Activeparticipationinreputableorganizations.

Knowledgeofthemethodsofevaluationandrelatedmatters.

Documentationdemonstratingsupportfortheachievementsofteachersandstudents.

Understandingofthelatestteachingmethods,includingtheuseoftechnologyintheteachingprocess.

Demonstrationofacommitmenttoenrichingtheeducationalexperienceofstudents.

HowtoApply

InterestedcandidatesshouldvisittheJobOpportunitiessectiononourwebsiteandsubmita resume andcoverlettervia:

Applicationswillbereviewedonarollingbasisuntilthepositionisfilled. ThesuccessfulcandidateisexpectedtocommenceemploymentonAugust 30, 2026.

Dean –School of Architecture & Design (Position Requires Relocation to Kuwait)