Employability, Alumni and Industry Partnership Manager

American University; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

The American University in the Emirates is seeking an Employability, Alumni and Industry Partnership Manager to strengthen ties with industry partners, alumni, and students to boost employability outcomes. The role involves designing programs, organizing events, and fostering collaboration across university units and external partners.

The successful candidate will lead initiatives that provide internships, mentorship, and career development opportunities, while ensuring alignment with academic

Qualifications

• Master's or bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, education, or a related field.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with employers, alumni, and industry stakeholders.
• Experience in a higher education environment or similar sector.
• Preferably bilingual, with fluency in English and Arabic.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage comprehensive employability programs aligning with industry needs and student career goals.
• Develop strategies to enhance students' employability skills and networking opportunities.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with alumni to create mentorship, networking, and career advancement opportunities.
• Organize alumni events, workshops and initiatives to strengthen community and support among alumni and students.
• Identify and establish partnerships with local, national, and international industries for internships, placements, and networking.
• Collaborate with industry partners to develop experiential learning opportunities such as internships and industry-sponsored projects.
• Oversee student internship programs, recruit opportunities, placements, and monitor progress.
• Provide guidance to students throughout the internship process aligned with academic and career goals.
• Collaborate with academic departments to integrate upskilling into curriculum through project-based learning and industry collaborations.
• Identify trends in learning innovation and employability to enhance workforce readiness.
• Foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students through workshops, competitions, and events.
• Provide resources and support to student entrepreneurs and oversee initiatives in the Innovation Lab.
• Offer individualized career guidance, helping students explore paths, set goals, and create action plans.
• Deliver workshops on career exploration, job search strategies, and professional development.
• Collect and report data on employability outcomes, alumni engagement, and industry partnerships to improve programs.
• Use data-driven insights to inform planning and decision-making.
• Collaborate with campus units to integrate employability into curriculum and cocurricular activities.
• Coordinate with career services and student affairs to ensure delivery of services.
• Manage the office budget and develop operational plans to support initiatives.
• Participate in hiring for office staff and provide leadership and high-performance guidance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and identify opportunities for professional development.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Independence

Professional image

Leadership

Problem solving

Knowledge of university programs

Education

Master's or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

The American University in the Emirates is seeking an Employability, Alumni and Industry Partnership Manager who will be responsible for strengthening connections between the University, industry partners, alumni network, and students to enhance employability outcomes and build sustainable relationships.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Education, or a related field from an accredited university.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining relationships with employers, alumni, and industry stakeholders.
• Experience in a higher education environment or a similar sector.
• Preferably bilingual, with fluency in English and Arabic.

Skills / Training / Knowledge

• Familiarity with career development resources and best practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders.
• A very high degree of independence, responsibility, and sound judgment.
• Maintains a professional image and positive relationships with faculty, students, and all stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to guide teams while fostering a collaborative and motivated work environment.
• Ability to resolve daily matters effectively and independently.
• Knowledge of University programs and operations, including administrative and academic affairs, is preferred.

Job Description

• Design, implement, and manage comprehensive employability programs that align with industry needs and student career aspirations.
• Develop strategies to enhance students' employability skills and networking opportunities.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with alumni to create opportunities for mentorship, networking, and career advancement.
• Organize alumni events, workshops, and initiatives aimed at strengthening the sense of community and support among alumni and current students.
• Identify and establish partnerships with local, national, and international industries to provide students with internship, job placement, and networking opportunities.
• Collaborate with industry partners to develop experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, co-op programs, and industry-sponsored projects.
• Oversee student internship programs, including sourcing internship opportunities, facilitating placements, and monitoring students' progress and experiences.
• Provide guidance and support to students throughout the internship process, ensuring alignment with their academic and career goals.
• Collaborate with academic departments and faculty to integrate practical upskilling initiatives into the curriculum, such as project-based learning, industry collaborations, and hands-on workshops.
• Identify emerging trends in learning innovation and employability skills development to enhance student readiness for the workforce.
• Foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students by organizing workshops, competitions, and events focused on innovation, idea generation, and business development.
• Provide resources and support to student entrepreneurs, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding and incubation programs. Oversee and support students' entrepreneurial and innovative projects associated with the Innovation Lab.
• Provide individualized career guidance and support to students, assisting them in exploring career pathways, setting goals, and developing action plans.
• Deliver workshops and seminars on various career-related topics, including career exploration, job search strategies, and professional development.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on employability outcomes, alumni engagement, and industry partnerships to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Utilize data-driven insights to inform programmatic decisions and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with academic departments, faculty members, and campus units to integrate employability initiatives into the curriculum and co-curricular activities.
• Coordinate with career services, academic advising, and student affairs offices to ensure the seamless delivery of services and resources to students.
• Manage the office budget, including forecasting, resource allocation, and monitoring expenditures, to ensure the efficient use of funds and adherence to budgetary guidelines.
• Develop and implement operational plans to support the execution of office initiatives.
• Participate in the hiring process for office staff, including recruitment, selection, and onboarding.
• Provide leadership and direction to team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide feedback, and identify opportunities for professional development.

About the American University in the Emirates (AUE)

The American University in the Emirates (AUE) invites applications from well-qualified candidates for a range of faculty and administrative positions. AUE is located in Dubai International Academic City.

AUE is not just a place of learning but a hub of innovation and growth, where your expertise and aspirations find a welcoming environment.

At AUE, we believe Nothing is Impossible is the Pathway to Success.

AUE comprises eight dynamic colleges: College of Law, College of Education, College of Health Science, College of Design, College of Business Administration, College of Media and Mass Communication, College of Engineering and Technology, and College of Security and Strategic Studies. Each college boasts unique strengths and prestigious accreditations, reflecting our commitment to providing a world-class education.

The American University in the Emirates is accredited by SACSCOC (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) to award baccalaureate and master's degrees. Degree-granting institutions may also offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

The American University in the Emirates is officially licensed to operate as a higher education institution, and all its programs are accredited by CAA (the Commission for Academic Accreditation), Ministry of Education, United Arab Emirates.

The College of Business Administration is a proud member of AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), and its degree programs, including the Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Sport Management, have been accredited by AACSB since 2022.

The Bachelor of Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Technology is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

NASAD (The National Association of Schools of Art and Design) has granted the Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design, Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design, Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, and Bachelor of Science in Animation in the College of Design the designation of Substantial Equivalency with accredited programs in the United States.