Head of Academic Planning (Relocation to UAE)

Mark Williams Recruitment; Paris; Sur place; EUR 100 000 - 125 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading government-affiliated think tank seeks an Education and University Strategy Specialist to drive academic reforms in the UAE. Candidates should have a strong leadership background in education, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and a minimum of 10 years in higher education leadership. The role requires relocation to the UAE and involves engaging with stakeholders to shape future education strategies.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in higher education leadership or education strategy.
• 3–5 years in a senior role at a top-tier management consulting firm.
• Experience with GCC or UAE education systems is a strong advantage.

Responsabilités

• Lead long-term academic strategy development.
• Design, launch, and evaluate university programs.
• Serve as the primary liaison with government bodies.

Connaissances

Leadership in education transformation

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Strategic problem-solving

Executive-level communication

Formation

Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Public Policy, Strategy

Master’s/PhD in relevant field

Outils

Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel)

Description du poste

Join a leading government-affiliated think tank at the forefront of national education transformation. We are seeking an Education and University Strategy Specialist to lead the design and execution of high-impact academic strategies that shape the future of higher education in the UAE and beyond.

This senior role blends strategic consulting with deep academic expertise to drive system-wide reform, program innovation, and policy alignment.

Relocation to the UAE is mandatory.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead long-term academic strategy development aligned with national and global education goals.

- Design, launch, and evaluate university programs ensuring quality, relevance, and accreditation compliance.

- Apply consulting-grade methodologies to complex education challenges, including institutional reform and partnerships.

- Use data analytics and forecasting to guide capacity planning and strategic decisions.

- Serve as the primary liaison with government bodies, universities, and international stakeholders.

Candidate Profile:

We seek a strategic leader with a strong track record in education transformation.

Essential:

Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Public Policy, Strategy, or related field (Master’s/PhD preferred).

Minimum 10 years in higher education leadership, or education strategy.

At least 3–5 years in a senior role at a top-tier management consulting firm (education focus) OR equivalent leadership experience in a university (e.g., academic planning, quality assurance, institutional effectiveness).

Proven success in leading academic reform, program development, or system-level initiatives.

Strong stakeholder engagement skills with ministries, regulators, and international partners.

Expertise in data analysis, strategic problem-solving (MECE, hypothesis-driven), and executive-level communication.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel.

Experience with GCC or UAE education systems is a strong advantage.