Director of Common Courses

Riyadh University of Arts جامعة الرياض للفنون; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 230,000 - 370,000; Full time

Job summary

Riyadh University of Arts (RUA) seeks a senior leader to head the Common Courses department. You will plan, deliver, and continually improve core courses, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, quality standards, and student outcomes.

You will supervise faculty, coordinate course delivery, monitor performance, and drive improvements across programs to strengthen learning experiences and academic quality in a leading cultural university in Saudi Arabia.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in leading common courses, preparatory years and/or humanities department within a university.
• Strong knowledge of higher education academic operations, curriculum coordination, and student learning support.
• Experience leading faculty, managing course delivery, and improving teaching and assessment quality across multiple programs.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement the Common Courses department's strategic plan, objectives, and goals ensuring alignment with the overall academic plan and strategy.
• Set the Common Courses department's operational plans and direct implementation securing achievement of identified objectives.
• Develop performance objectives and indicators and monitor progress toward realization of objectives.
• Participate in budgeting, ensure effective utilization of the department's budget, and report progress and challenges.
• Oversee development and implementation of policies, processes and procedures to align with standards and market developments.
• Inspire and mentor the team, recruit and develop staff, and enhance engagement and motivation.
• Assign instructors, manage teaching loads, and guide syllabus implementation and assessment quality.
• Review assessments, ensure moderation and grading consistency, and improve student outcomes.
• Prepare reports on delivery, performance, and improvement actions; track issues and escalate where needed.

Skills

Creativity

Adaptability

Customer Orientation

Excellence Execution

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in the arts or humanities

Job description

RUA is a forward-thinking institution for cross-cultural arts education and creative innovation in the Middle East that fosters bold ideas that inspire progress and transform society by cultivating industry and academic collaboration and rethinking creative education, all while creating a space for global ideas to flourish in a culturally inspiring environment.

• Our Vision
• To be an inspiring beacon of knowledge for future generations, integrating culture and arts, empowering students to discover passions and develop talents while fostering creativity and cultural exchange.
• Our Mission
• To cultivate an innovative educational environment in culture and arts, delivering cutting-edge programs that foster cultural and artistic engagement, enriching both the Saudi and global communities.
• Our Aspirations
• The leading cultural university across the Middle East and North Africa.
• Ranked among top 50 universities worldwide specializing in cultural education.
• A global hub for cultural education and knowledge exchange.

Job Summary

Leads the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of common courses department. The role ensures consistent academic quality, faculty readiness, and student support while aligning course delivery with institutional priorities, quality standards, and student learning outcomes.

General Accountabilities

Strategy and Planning

• Design and implementation of Common Courses department's strategic plan, objectives, and goals ensuring alignment with overall academic plan and strategy.
• Set the Common Courses department's operational plans and direct implementation securing achievement of identified objectives/
• Develop the Common Courses department's performance objectives and indicators and continuously monitor progress towards realization of objectives.

Budget Management

• Participate in the Common Courses department's budgeting cycle and provide input to the budgeting process.
• Ensure effective utilization of the department's budget and report accurately on progress made and challenges encountered.
• Investigate and propose initiatives that result in positive financial impact for the common courses department and mitigate financial and operational risks.

Policies, Processes, and Procedures

• Oversee the development and implementation of the department's policies, processes and procedures to align with and exceed best-in class standards
• Oversee the implementation of procedures and controls to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability across all business areas within the function
• Oversee regular reviews of policies, processes, guidelines, and procedures to confirm alignment with RUA requirements and market developments, and coordinate corrective actions where needed

People Management

• Inspire the team and provide guidance, delegation and mentorship to create a performance-driven culture
• Ensure availability and qualification of team through recruitment, training, development and performance management
• Take actions to enhance employee engagement and motivation
• Provide clear top-down communication to employees and bottom-up feedback to senior management

Job Specific Accountabilities

Common Course Strategy and Planning

• Set the annual plan for common courses in line with school priorities.
• Define course delivery timelines, faculty needs, and classroom and resource requirements.
• Monitor implementation and adjust plans when student demand or operational needs change.

Faculty and Course Coordination

• Assign instructors and manage teaching loads for common courses.
• Guide faculty on syllabus implementation, assessment design, and teaching quality.
• Coordinate with academic teams to resolve scheduling, coverage, and delivery issues.

Quality Assurance and Student Performance

• Review assessment results, course evaluations, and student achievement trends.
• Ensure moderation, grading consistency, and compliance with academic standards.
• Recommend improvements to strengthen course effectiveness and student outcomes.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Prepare regular reports on course delivery, performance, and improvement actions.
• Track issues, risks, and escalation items with relevant stakeholders.
• Lead initiatives that improve consistency, quality, and responsiveness across common courses.

Skills Requirements:

Creativity And Adaptability

Customer Orientation

Excellence Execution

Communication And Collaboration

Qualifications:

Knowledge & Experience:

• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in leading common courses, preparatory years and/or humanities department within a university
• Strong knowledge of higher education academic operations, curriculum coordination, and student learning support
• Experience leading faculty, managing course delivery, and improving teaching and assessment quality across multiple programs

Education & Certifications:

• Terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in the arts or humanities is required.
• Professional training or certification in higher education teaching, curriculum design, assessment, or academic quality assurance is an advantage

RUA represents a platform for discovery, a space where talent is nurtured, and a gateway for Saudi art and culture to the world. We welcome you to join us on this exceptional journey. Together, we will shape the ambitious cultural future of the Kingdom and inspire the world.

As the first of its kind in the MENA region, RUA serves as a center of creativity, knowledge, and innovation, contributing to shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s cultural ecosystem and creative economy, driving the growth of Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.