Director of STEM Career Development & Experiential Learning

King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital; Thuwal; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) seeks a visionary Head of Career Development & Experiential Learning to lead a university-wide strategy for student employability, internships, and industry engagement. You will build partnerships with Saudi industry, government, and ecosystem players while overseeing visiting student engagement pathways and high-quality KAUST experiences.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will design programs, measure outcomes with data, and align

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in career services, higher education, industry partnerships, talent development, employer relations, alumni engagement, or a related field.
• Fluency in Arabic and English; familiar with the Saudi education ecosystem.
• Demonstrated success developing partnerships with employers, industry organizations, or external stakeholders.
• Experience creating internship, professional development, or graduate employment programs.
• Experience working in a research-intensive university, STEM-focused institution, or innovation ecosystem preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive career development strategy aligned with Vision 2030 and workforce needs in Saudi Arabia.
• Lead the design and delivery of career development programs for Saudi and international students throughout KAUST's journey.
• Establish a structured career development framework including career coaching, professional skills development, industry preparation, networking, interview preparation, and employment readiness.
• Work with alumni and graduate employment offices to develop and improve career programming (workshops, employer events, career academies).
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Saudi industries, government entities, research organizations, and ecosystem partners to expand opportunities for KAUST students and graduates.
• Track internship participation, outcomes, employer satisfaction, and student career progression.

Skills

Fluency in Arabic and English

Stakeholder management

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship building

Strategic leadership

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) seeks a visionary Head of Career Development & Experiential Learning to lead a university-wide strategy for student employability, internships, and industry engagement. You will build partnerships with Saudi industry, government, and ecosystem players while overseeing visiting student engagement pathways and high-quality KAUST experiences.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will design programs, measure outcomes with data, and align