Academic Appointments Partner

MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence); Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

MBZUAI in the United Arab Emirates seeks an Academic Appointments Partner to oversee end-to-end appointment processes and collaborate with faculties and administrative offices for a smooth candidate experience.

The role coordinates recruitment initiatives, interviews, documentation, contracts, and onboarding while ensuring policy compliance and data integrity. Strong collaboration and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, business administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in academic administration, HR operations, or related roles in higher education.
• Knowledge of academic appointment processes, recruitment practices, and higher education operations.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in using HRIS, workflow systems, and data management tools.

Responsibilities

• Administer the end-to-end academic appointments processes, including recruitment support, appointment documentation, contract preparation, and reappointments.
• Assist in planning and executing recruitment initiatives, events, and on-campus interviews, ensuring professional coordination and delivery.
• Manage interview scheduling and communications with candidates and search committees to provide efficient, transparent, and welcoming candidate experience.
• Prepare interview materials and support search committees in evaluating candidates and compiling feedback.
• Serve as the primary liaison for candidates throughout the recruitment and appointment cycle, providing timely updates and maintaining positive engagement.
• Provide operational support to Deans, Department Chairs, and academic leadership by guiding them through appointment procedures and institutional requirements.
• Collaborate with HR, Legal, Research, and other administrative offices to coordinate contracts, onboarding, visa processing, relocation, and benefits administration.
• Ensure all academic appointment activities comply with university policies, procedures, and applicable accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in applicant tracking and appointment systems, ensuring data integrity and compliance.
• Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries from faculty, administrators, and candidates, ensuring clear and consistent communication.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying process gaps and recommending enhancements to appointment workflows and systems.
• Support international and strategic recruitment efforts by fostering consistent, high-quality candidate engagement and experience.
• Assist in developing and delivering training sessions, reference materials, and communication tools to build institutional awareness of appointment procedures and best practices.
• Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in higher education administration

Master's degree preferred

Tools

HRIS

Workflow systems

Data management tools

Job description

Job Description:

Job Purpose

The Academic Appointments Partner plays a key operational role in supporting academic appointment processes. Reporting to the Head of Academic Appointments, the role is responsible for the accurate, timely, and professional execution of appointment-related activities. The Partner works directly with academic departments and administrative offices to ensure smooth processes, clear communication, and high-quality experience for candidates and faculty.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer the end-to-end academic appointments processes, including recruitment support, appointment documentation, contract preparation, and reappointments.
• Assist in planning and executing recruitment initiatives, events, and on-campus interviews, ensuring professional coordination and delivery.
• Manage interview scheduling and communications with candidates and search committees to provide efficient, transparent, and welcoming candidate experience.
• Prepare interview materials and support search committees in evaluating candidates and compiling feedback.
• Serve as the primary liaison for candidates throughout the recruitment and appointment cycle, providing timely updates and maintaining positive engagement.
• Provide operational support to Deans, Department Chairs, and academic leadership by guiding them through appointment procedures and institutional requirements.
• Collaborate with HR, Legal, Research, and other administrative offices to coordinate contracts, onboarding, visa processing, relocation, and benefits administration.
• Ensure all academic appointment activities comply with university policies, procedures, and applicable accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in applicant tracking and appointment systems, ensuring data integrity and compliance.
• Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries from faculty, administrators, and candidates, ensuring clear and consistent communication.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying process gaps and recommending enhancements to appointment workflows and systems.
• Support international and strategic recruitment efforts by fostering consistent, high-quality candidate engagement and experience.
• Assist in developing and delivering training sessions, reference materials, and communication tools to build institutional awareness of appointment procedures and best practices.
• Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.

Academic Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in academic administration, HR operations, or related roles in higher education.
• Knowledge of academic appointment processes, recruitment practices, and higher education operations.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in using HRIS, workflow systems, and data management tools.

Preferred

• Working proficiency in additional languages is an advantage.