Director of Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Riyadh University of Arts جامعة الرياض للفنون; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Riyadh University of Arts (RUA) seeks a senior professional to lead accreditation readiness and academic quality improvements across its programs. The role maintains accreditation registers, coordinates evidence collection and site-visit preparation, manages corrective actions, and monitors quality data to drive continuous improvement aligned with RUA's strategic priorities.

The incumbent will guide faculty and staff readiness, maintain audit-ready documentation, and support reliable reporting

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in quality assurance, accreditation, or higher education administration.
• Experience coordinating accreditation cycles with evidence management and reporting.
• Ability to lead teams and work with senior stakeholders.
• Strong data analysis to identify issues and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Academic Excellence department’s business plan from Quality Assurance & Accreditation standpoint.
• Develop the operational plan for Quality Assurance & Accreditation section in line with Academic Excellence department’s business plan.
• Implement plans and provide input to enable achievement of Quality Assurance & Accreditation section’s goals that support Academic Excellence department’s plans.
• Participate in Academic Excellence department’s budgeting exercise and provide input from Quality Assurance & Accreditation section’s standpoint.
• Ensure effective utilization of the section’s budget and report accurately on progress made and challenges encountered.
• Lead the design and implementation of Quality Assurance & Accreditation related policies and procedures covering all areas of activity so that all relevant procedural / legislative requirements are fulfilled.

Skills

Creativity and adaptability

Customer orientation

Excellence execution

Communication and collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment and Evaluation, or closely related field

Doctoral degree preferred

Professional certification in QA/accreditation or project management advantageous

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 accreditation readiness and academic quality improvement across the programs/courses offered within the university. The role maintains accreditation registers and plans, coordinates evidence collection and site visit preparation, manages corrective actions, and monitors quality data to identify improvement opportunities. It also guides faculty and staff readiness, maintains audit-ready documentation, and supports the delivery of reliable reporting and continuous improvement aligned with RUA's strategic priorities.

General Accountabilities

Strategy and Planning

• Contribute to the development of Academic Excellence department’s business plan from Quality Assurance & Accreditation standpoint.
• Develop the operational plan for Quality Assurance & Accreditation section in line with Academic Excellence department’s business plan.
• Implement plans and provide input to enable achievement of Quality Assurance & Accreditation section’s goals that support Academic Excellence department’s plans.

Budget Management

• Participate in Academic Excellence department’s budgeting exercise and provide input from Quality Assurance & Accreditation section’s standpoint.
• Ensure effective utilization of the section’s budget and report accurately on progress made and challenges encountered

Policies, Processes, and Procedures

• Lead the design and implementation of Quality Assurance & Accreditation related policies and procedures covering all areas of activity so that all relevant procedural / legislative requirements are fulfilled.
• Stay up to date on leading practices and new trends related to Quality Assurance & Accreditation and identify recommendations for corrective measures.
• Monitor day-to-day activities to ensure compliance with stipulated policies and procedures.
• Periodically review policies, processes, guidelines and procedures to ensure alignment with RUA's requirements and evolving market trends.

People Management

• Participate in the identification and recruitment of key talent.
• Guide, mentor and support direct reports to execute duties according to set policies and processes.
• Develop individual performance objectives, provide necessary support, evaluate/appraise team and provide regular feedback on performance.
• Establish a high-performance working environment and promote RUA's values.

Project Management

• Lead and guide project management teams in planning and organizing functional or organizational projects.
• Manage and control projects to ensure project cycle completion and commitment to guidelines, i.e. cost, budget, timelines, scope, and quality, and monitor and maintain RUA's quality and standards.

Job Specific Accountabilities

Accreditation Governance

• Maintain a register of relevant accreditation bodies and track their standards, deadlines, and applicability to RUA programs and units.
• Develop and maintain an accreditation plan with clear timelines, responsibilities, and submission milestones.
• Manage accreditation feedback through root-cause analysis and tracked corrective action plans, ensuring timely closure and evidence of remediation.

Accreditation Coordination and Evidence Management

• Coordinate accreditation implementation across schools and colleges within university.
• Oversee collection, validation, and submission of required documentation for accreditation reviews and submissions.
• Maintain a centralized, version-controlled, audit-ready repository of accreditation and quality documentation for easy retrieval and ongoing updates.
• Ensure the section serves as the single point of contact with accreditors and coordinate follow-up actions.

Quality Improvement and Reporting

• Design and administer regular quality data collection activities, including surveys and performance metrics on teaching, research, and student experience.
• Analyze results to identify specific quality gaps and emerging risks.
• Translate findings into prioritized, measurable quality initiatives and monitor their effectiveness through assessments and reporting.
• Publish clear outcomes to support transparency, governance, and continuous improvement.

Institutional Readiness and Capability Building

• Build institutional readiness by delivering targeted training, mock reviews, and guidance to faculty and staff on accreditation expectations and requirements.
• Map accreditation and quality workflows, identify process gaps or bottlenecks, and recommend improvements to strengthen institutional preparedness and efficiency.
• Support school and colleges in preparing for site visits and maintaining readiness between review cycles.

Skills Requirements:

Creativity And Adaptability

Customer Orientation

Excellence Execution

Communication And Collaboration

Qualifications:

Knowledge And Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in quality assurance, accreditation, academic administration, or higher education compliance, including at least 2 years in a managerial position
• Strong experience coordinating accreditation cycles, evidence management, corrective action tracking, and quality improvement reporting within arts university
• Proven ability to lead teams, work with senior stakeholders, and analyze data to identify issues and recommend practical improvements

Education And Certifications:

• Master degree required in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment and Evaluation, or a closely related field
• Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline is preferred
• Professional certification in quality assurance, accreditation, or project management 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.