You will build and run the operational and governance engine for a new business school in Dubai. This is a founding leadership role responsible for getting the institution ready to launch and scale - including accreditation readiness coordination, institutional policies and operating model, academic operations, board governance, and external partnerships support.
It is a builder/operator role with real accountability.
Founding institutional operator + governance lead + accreditation quarterback + partnerships hustler.
This person will:
- Build the operating system of the school (policies, committees, processes, templates, cadence)
- Run/coordinate licensing + accreditation workstreams with the Quality/Accreditation lead
- Build org structure + hiring plan (faculty + admin) with leadership
- Set up board mechanics (secretary role, agendas, minutes, actions)
- Drive international partnerships (MoUs, dual degrees, articulation, validation models)
- Support fundraising/external relations (donors, sponsors)
Must Have
- 15+ years in higher education operations / academic administration / institutional development.
- Proven track record in building institutional infrastructure (policies, governance, operating model) in a new or scaling environment.
- Hands-on experience supporting or delivering accreditation/licensing readiness (UAE and/or international frameworks).
- Strong board/committee governance experience (minutes, action tracking, confidentiality, compliance).
- Strong stakeholder management skills can influence senior leaders without formal authority.
- Fluent English; Arabic is an advantage.
