Dubai Student Success & Wellbeing Advisor

Heriot-Watt University; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Heriot-Watt University in Dubai is seeking a Student Success Advisor on a two-year fixed-term contract. The role supports undergraduate and postgraduate wellbeing, focusing on engagement, belonging and retention across pre-arrival to graduation.

The successful candidate will work with the Wellbeing team and liaise with colleagues across Student Life, including Edinburgh links, to deliver a proactive, coherent student support approach.

Qualifications

• Educated to first degree level.
• Recent HWU graduate with honours.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to present to large groups (students and HWU colleagues).
• Excellent IT skills (MS Office) and ability to use institutional student systems.
• Empathise with and understand needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
• Able to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to build relationships with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support a wide range of pre-arrival, induction and transition activities.
• Support activities related to student success, engagement and retention (workshops, information sessions, peer support).
• Identify students at risk of non-continuation and provide advice and support.
• Monitor and act on at-risk and low-engagement indicators.
• Liaise with Schools and Professional Services to ensure a proactive, integrated approach.
• Provide lifecycle support including suspensions, mitigating circumstances, and financial/academic support.
• Offer drop-in sessions and appointments for all students.
• Deliver targeted support to designated student groups; contribute to school/discipline retention initiatives.
• Develop content for student communications across multiple media.
• Manage and advance the WattBuds programme.
• Analyze student data to inform initiatives.

Skills

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

IT skills - MS Office

Empathy

Stakeholder relationships

Education

First degree level

Honours degree (HWU)

Tools

MS Office

Student information systems

Job description

Heriot-Watt University in Dubai is seeking a Student Success Advisor on a two-year fixed-term contract. The role supports undergraduate and postgraduate wellbeing, focusing on engagement, belonging and retention across pre-arrival to graduation.

The successful candidate will work with the Wellbeing team and liaise with colleagues across Student Life, including Edinburgh links, to deliver a proactive, coherent student support approach.