Registrar

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) seeks a Registrar to provide strategic oversight of academic records, registration processes, and data governance during its transition to the University of the Arts, Sharjah (UAS). You will lead on data integrity, policy alignment, and reporting to senior leadership.

The role requires coordinating with Programme Leaders, Admissions, IT, QA, Finance, and other departments to ensure secure, efficient records management and graduation verification across SPAA

Qualifications

• Experience in academic records management and governance.
• Ability to lead data protection and confidentiality standards.
• Experience coordinating across academic units during institutional transition.

Responsibilities

• Maintain official academic records for SPAA and UAS structures.
• Oversee SIS data governance, enrolments, grades, progression, and status changes.
• Coordinate registration processes and exceptions across transitioning programmes.

Skills

Clear communication

Strategic thinking

Integrity/confidentiality

Organisational leadership

Change management

Stakeholder management

Resilience/adaptability

Tools

Student Information System (SIS)

Learning Management System (LMS)

eMada

Job description

Reporting to: Deputy Director/Deputy Director

Responsible for: Supporting academic administration from application to graduation

Works closely with: Programme Leaders, Admissions, Student Services Team, IT, Quality Assurance, Finance and wider University departments.

The Registrar is a senior academic leader responsible for the strategic oversight, governance, and operational management of the Registrar’s Office.

The role ensures the integrity, accuracy, security, and effective management of student academic records and registration processes.The Registrar will play a critical role in supporting the transition from Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) to the University of the Arts, Sharjah (UAS), including alignment of academic processes, policies, and systems across performing and visual arts programmes.

The role will also lead on student data governance, system optimisation, and institutional reporting to support decision‑making and compliance.

(1) Academic Records & Student Information Management:

• Maintain and secure official academic records for current and former students across SPAA and UAS structures.
• Ensure accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of student data within the Student Information System (SIS).
• Oversee data entry, validation, and updates including enrolments, grades, progression, and status changes.
• Establish and enforce data governance standards aligned with institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and manage semester-based registration processes, including course enrolment, add/drop, withdrawals, and progression tracking.
• Coordinate with academic departments to ensure effective course scheduling and resource allocation.
• Approve and manage registration exceptions, overrides, and special cases.
• Ensure smooth coordination of registration processes across transitioning programmes and institutions.

• Lead and manage semester-based registration processes, including course enrolment, add/drop, withdrawals, and progression tracking.
• Coordinate with academic departments to ensure effective course scheduling and resource allocation.
• Approve and manage registration exceptions, overrides, and special cases.
• Ensure smooth coordination of registration processes across transitioning programmes and institutions.

• Oversee verification of degree requirements and eligibility for graduation.
• Ensure accurate and timely issuance of transcripts, diplomas, and academic certifications.
• Support planning and execution of graduation ceremonies across SPAA and UAS.
• Ensure consistency and standardisation of academic awards during the institutional transition.

(4) Policy, Academic Governance & Calendar:

• Develop, implement, and review academic policies related to registration, progression, and records management.
• Lead the development and coordination of the academic calendar across programmes and academies.
• Ensure alignment of policies with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a key liaison between academic units, quality assurance, and institutional leadership.

• Develop, implement, and review academic policies related to registration, progression, and records management.
• Lead the development and coordination of the academic calendar across programmes and academies.
• Ensure alignment of policies with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a key liaison between academic units, quality assurance, and institutional leadership.

• Lead the optimisation and management of the Student Information System (e.g., eMada) and its integration with other platforms such as the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Support data migration, system alignment, and process standardisation during the transition to UAS.
• Work closely with IT to enhance system functionality, reporting capabilities, and user experience.
• Ensure data integrity and continuity during any system changes or institutional restructuring.
• Lead and supervise Registrar’s Office staff, including Assistant Registrars and administrative personnel.
• Provide training, performance management, and continuous professional development.
• Drive process improvements, efficiency, and service excellence within the Academic Services function.

• Lead and supervise Registrar’s Office staff, including Assistant Registrars and administrative personnel.
• Provide training, performance management, and continuous professional development.
• Drive process improvements, efficiency, and service excellence within the Academic Services function.

• Prepare and deliver institutional reports for senior leadership, accreditation bodies, and government authorities.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and institutional requirements.
• Monitor and report on key academic operations and student data metrics.
• Uphold strict confidentiality and data protection standards.

As part of the Academic Services team, the Registrar will work closely with Programme Leaders, the Student Services and Professional Practice Manager, Admissions, IT, and academic and administrative staff to ensure students receive the highest levels of support throughout their studies.

Through effective coordination across SPAA and the emerging University of the Arts, Sharjah (UAS), the Registrar plays a central role in ensuring academic processes are aligned, efficient, and scalable, supporting both institutional growth and a high‑quality student experience.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• High level of integrity and confidentiality
• Strong organisational and leadership skills
• Ability to manage change and institutional transformation
• Stakeholder management and collaboration skills
• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic environment

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is an independent Academy established by His Highness, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, to address a growing demand in the UAE and MENA region for formal quality education and professional training in the performing arts sector. SPAA is the only performing arts conservatoire in the MENA region, offering quality undergraduate and graduate degree programmes taught in English.

In 2026, Sharjah Performing Arts Academy is merging with a new higher education institution – The University of the Arts, Sharjah (UAS). The new HEI will have two Academies, the Academy of Performing Arts (formerly SPAA), and the Academy of Visual Arts (formerly the College of Fine Arts and Design in University of Sharjah).

Each academy has distinct colleges and operates on separate campuses. Performing arts colleges comprise Theatre, Music and Film and Visual arts have Fine Arts and Design.

The transition will be completed by the end of 2026 and all employees from SPAA will become employees of the new university.

The terms and conditions of employment will remain the same for staff employed within the transition period.

The purpose-built Academy comprises one 432-seat theatre, two fully equipped studio performance spaces, TV/recording studios, twelve sprung rehearsal studios, twelve singing tutorial spaces, a resource library, gymnasium and cafe.

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy specialises in training graduates for work in the international professional performing arts industry. The faculty working at SPAA are highly experienced practitioners within their respective fields. The focus of the Academy is practical rather than academic. The central value for a SPAA graduate is arming them with the highest levels of practical skills for their field and giving them the tools to be able to successfully generate their own work or practice.

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy is a complex performing arts institution. Effective coordination between departments and courses is a high priority to ensure that resources are appropriately shared and quality in teaching and learning is maintained.

• The individual in this position is responsible for ensuring compliance with all SPAA policies and procedures, including the Workplace Health and Safety and Confidentiality policies.
• This position is full‑time based at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
• The Staff Handbook is an important resource and sets out the expectations and conditions of employment. Prospective candidates for this position can request the Faculty Handbook, which will be sent to them via email.