Associate Vice President, Students

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology); Jeddah; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Saudi Arabia is seeking an Associate Vice President for Students to shape the future of student development and engagement. This role involves overseeing the entire student lifecycle, from recruitment to alumni engagement, and requires vision, influence, and strategic leadership to enhance the academic and operational framework. The ideal candidate has a doctorate and a decade's experience in student affairs within an international context, along with strong skills in building partnerships and leading change.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in student affairs.
• Experience in an international or research university setting is highly desirable.
• Proven track record in building student support operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee student lifecycle from recruitment to alumni engagement.
• Develop recruitment strategies aligning with KAUST's mission.
• Design integrated frameworks for student experience.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Global partnerships

Financial acumen

Change leadership

Interpersonal skills

Education

Doctorate in a relevant academic field

Job description

Join KAUST as the Associate Vice President, Students—one of the most influential leadership roles in shaping the future of a world-class research university. In this strategic position, you will oversee the entire student lifecycle—from global recruitment to alumni engagement—driving KAUST’s mission to attract top STEM talent, elevate the student experience, and strengthen the university’s impact in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. This is a rare opportunity to lead innovation, build global partnerships, and shape the next generation of scientific and entrepreneurial leaders at a pivotal moment in KAUST’s growth.

This role requires vision, influence, and the ability to design and implement integrated strategies that strengthen KAUST’s reputation globally and within the Kingdom, align with institutional priorities, and prepare students to thrive as future leaders in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Major Responsibilities

Student Recruitment and Admissions

• Develop and execute a bold recruitment strategy to attract high-potential students both in-Kingdom and worldwide, aligning pipelines with KAUST’s research priorities and growth areas.
• Forge and sustain partnerships with in-Kingdom and global universities, research centers, scholarship programs, and ministries to secure talent pipelines and strengthen KAUST’s footprint.
• Use data-driven forecasting and market intelligence to set long-term enrollment targets and optimize the applicant portfolio for excellence and diversity.
• Ensure admissions processes are rigorous, equitable, and reflective of KAUST’s standing as a world-leading research institution.
• Develop and execute a plan for recruiting sponsored/funded students. Responsible for achieving student recruitment targets for Saudi and international students.

Student Development and Services

• Design an integrated student experience framework that advances academic readiness, personal well-being and global citizenship.
• Drive innovations in student support services, ensuring KAUST remains a leader in supporting international student populations.
• Shape policies and programs that build community resilience, student leadership, and engagement with research, translational and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by leveraging data, student feedback, and benchmarking against global peers.

Career Development

• Position KAUST as a talent hub by forging strategic relationships with in-Kingdom ministries and industry leaders, as well as global corporations and universities.
• Oversee the development of career pathways that link students with high-impact opportunities in academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and public service.
• Embed professional skills, career readiness, and employer engagement into the student journey, ensuring KAUST graduates are globally competitive.
• Establish career services as a strategic connector between KAUST research strengths and workforce needs in the Kingdom and beyond.

Alumni Strategy and Global Engagement

• Lead the creation of a robust alumni affairs strategy that strengthens KAUST’s global network of graduates as ambassadors, partners, and supporters.
• Develop mechanisms to track and showcase alumni achievements, reinforcing KAUST’s reputation and influence both in-Kingdom and worldwide.
• Leverage alumni networks to enhance student recruitment, internships, career placements, and institutional advancement, especially in-Kingdom and within the region.
• Position KAUST’s alumni engagement as a driver of long-term institutional impact, influence, and philanthropy.

Registrar and Academic Operations

• Ensure registrar services are strategically aligned to support evolving academic programs, new modes of learning, and future accreditation needs.
• Champion digital transformation and innovative platforms to enhance academic services, student data analytics, and institutional reporting.
• Maintain the highest standards of compliance, integrity, and global best practices in student records and credentialing.

Additional Responsibilities

• Partner with the National Transformation Institute (NTI), KAUST Academy, and academic divisions to achieve objectives.
• Supervise key institutional events like Commencement and Winter Enrichment Program (WEP), including planning, programming and budgeting.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in a relevant academic field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in student affairs, enrollment management, or academic administration, preferably in an international or research university setting.
• Experience building or scaling student support operations in a new or growing academic program is highly desirable.

Required Skills

• Visionary leadership with the ability to align student affairs with institutional strategy and national priorities.
• Proven ability to build global partnerships and represent the university on international platforms.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, with experience in resource allocation, scaling operations, and driving efficiency.
• Cultural fluency and skill in building inclusive, high-performing teams across diverse contexts.
• Change leadership experience, with a track record of introducing innovation and elevating student success outcomes.
• Deep understanding of the student lifecycle and the integration of academic and non-academic support.
• Strong operational and strategic planning skills, with a track record of leading change across complex organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural, and communication skills, with a student-first mindset.
• Knowledge of registrar functions, student data systems, and compliance requirements.