Dean – School of Sustainability and Green Economy

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University; Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University seeks a Dean for its new School of Sustainability and Green Economy in Dubai. This senior role demands a visionary leader with a strong track record in sustainability, research, and institutional development, responsible for shaping educational programs and advancing strategic goals aligned with national sustainability agendas.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of academic leadership experience as Dean, Director, or equivalent.
• Experience in online learning environments and leading digitally enhanced programs.
• Demonstrated track record in research with publications in Scopus-indexed journals.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement strategic direction aligned with UAE national agendas.
• Lead design, launch, and accreditation of academic programs in sustainability.
• Drive research agenda and secure national and international funding.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Research

Program Development

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD in Sustainability or related discipline

Full Professor rank

Job description

Dean - School of Sustainability and Green Economy

Description:
Aligned with HBMSU strategic focus on sustainability, digital transformation, and future-readiness, we are seeking a full-time Dean to lead the newly established School of Sustainability and Green Economy.
This is a senior leadership role suited for a forward-thinking academic with a strong track record in leadership, research, innovation, and institutional development. The Dean will serve as a strategic and visionary leader, working closely with faculty and program chairs to advance the school's mission and strategic direction in alignment with HBMSU's overarching goals.
Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean holds full responsibility for the school's personnel, administration, budgeting, academic affairs, and development initiatives. The role includes leading the design and delivery of lifelong learning offerings (both academic and training programs), enhancing research output, forging strategic partnerships, and maximizing the school's national and global impact in sustainability.

Main roles & responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  Define and implement the school's strategic direction, ensuring alignment with UAE national agendas (e.g., UAE Vision 2031, COP28 legacy) and HBMSU's overall strategic plan.
• Program Development and Innovation
  Lead the design, launch, and accreditation of specialized academic and lifelong learning programs in sustainability, green economy, and circular economy. Embed AI, smart learning, and digital innovation into curriculum development.
• Research and Funding
  Drive a robust research agenda in climate policy, sustainable finance, renewable energy, and environmental innovation. Pursue and secure national and international research funding.
• Faculty Leadership and Development
  Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of faculty and researchers. Foster a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and measurable impact in both teaching and research.
• Academic Operations and Quality
  Oversee timetables, faculty workload planning, and assessment implementation. Ensure the effective delivery of academic programs and other lifelong learning offerings, development of digitized content, and maintaining excellence in learning outcomes.
• Learner Recruitment and Revenue Generation
  Collaborate with the Business Development team to support learner recruitment and revenue generation. Identify B2B opportunities and build partnerships with industry, government, and professional bodies to promote and expand HBMSU's lifelong learning offerings.
• Financial Stewardship
  Develop and manage strategic and operational plans, budgets, and financial strategies. Ensure the school's long-term sustainability and profitability by aligning resources with strategic priorities.
• Learner Experience
  Enhance the overall learner experience through their journey through strong academic advising, mentorship, and career support. Drive improvements in satisfaction, retention, and graduation rates.
• Graduate Outcomes
  Prepare learners for leadership roles through applied learning, industry engagement, and professional readiness, ensuring strong graduate employability.
• Partnerships and Community Engagement
  Establish impactful collaborations with industry, academia, and community stakeholders. Advance executive education, micro-credentials, and applied research focused on sustainability challenges.
• Operational Excellence
  Ensure effective day-to-day management, resource optimization, and operational efficiency to support the school's growth and strategic objectives.
• Institutional Alignment
  Work closely with the Vice Chancellor and fellow deans to advance HBMSU's mission, strategic goals, and cross-school initiatives.
• Governance and Compliance
  Ensure full compliance with HBMSU's Integrated Quality Management System, national accreditation standards, and internal governance processes.

Required qualification & skills

Candidates should possess the following qualifications and skills:

• A PhD in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Green Economy, or a closely related discipline, from a well-established university.
• Full Professor rank awarded by an accredited university.
• Minimum of 7 years of academic leadership experience as Dean, Director, or equivalent.
• Experience in online learning environments and leading interdisciplinary, digitally enhanced programs.
• Demonstrated track record in research, including publications in Scopus-indexed journals and successful research grant acquisition.
• Experience in curriculum design, accreditation, and managing academic programs at postgraduate and executive levels.
• Proven ability to foster industry partnerships, manage academic units, and drive use of AI in teaching and learning.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and strategic execution skills.

Rank and Appointment:

This is a senior academic leadership position at the Professor level. Evidence of promotion, to different academic ranks, will be required. Appointment is full-time and based in Dubai, UAE.

Remuneration:

Salary and remuneration will be communicated to the shortlisted candidates only by the Human Capital at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University.

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