Director of Student Affairs

Riyadh University of Arts جامعة الرياض للفنون; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Riyadh University of Arts invites an experienced Student Affairs leader to drive an integrated student experience from admission to graduation, focusing on wellbeing, belonging and progression while boosting employability through career services, employer and alumni engagement.

You will oversee policies, budgets, people management, and project delivery across student life, advising, and compliance, shaping a student-centric culture that aligns with Vision 2030.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in student affairs or higher education administration, including at least 2 years in a managerial capacity
• Strong knowledge of career services, employer engagement, student support, and student-life operations
• Proven ability to use data, KPIs, and process improvements to strengthen student experience and retention
• Bachelor degree required; Master degree preferred in related fields

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end oversight of the student journey from application through graduation, driving satisfaction, belonging and success.
• Direct career services programs including employability training, CV and interview clinics, and placement tracking.
• Oversee development of employer and alumni partnerships to secure internships, mentoring, and recruitment pipelines.
• Oversee student life, clubs, events and student representation including the student council.

Skills

Creativity And Adaptability

Customer Orientation

Excellence Execution

Communication And Collaboration

Education

Bachelor degree

Master degree

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 Student Affairs function to deliver an integrated student experience that supports wellbeing, belonging, and successful progression while improving employability outcomes through structured career services, strong employer and alumni engagement, effective student governance, end-to-end oversight of the student journey, and data-driven continuous improvement.

General Accountabilities

Strategy and Planning

• Contribute to the development of Admissions, Registrar & Student Affairs department’s business plan from Student Affairs standpoint.
• Develop the operational plan for Student Affairs section in line with Admissions, Registrar & Student Affairs department’s business plan.
• Implement plans and provide input to enable achievement of Student Affairs section’s goals that support Admissions, Registrar & Student Affairs department’s plans.

Budget Management

• Participate in Admissions, Registrar & Student Affairs department’s budgeting exercise and provide input from Student Affairs 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 Student Affairs 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 Student Affairs 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.
• Foster a strong student-centric culture by ensuring teams are equipped with the right skills and capabilities to consistently deliver high-quality support and experience.

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

Student Journey, Career Services, and Employability

• Lead end-to-end oversight of the student journey from application through graduation, identifying and improving key touchpoints that drive student satisfaction, engagement, sense of belonging, and success.
• Direct career services programs including employability training, CV and interview clinics, and placement tracking.
• Oversee design and implementation employability and graduate attributes (skills) development tailored to student needs and disciplines.
• Ensure development and maintenance of employer and alumni partnerships to secure internships, mentoring, guest speakers, and recruitment pipelines.
• Assess outcomes from student touchpoints, placements, and partner engagement to strengthen career readiness and market relevance.

Student Support, Advising, and Case Management

• Oversee setting of advising workflows, service standards, and escalation paths for academic, personal, and financial student cases.
• Oversee delivery of counseling, grievance resolution, mediation, and disciplinary case management with appropriate confidentiality.
• Oversee safeguarding, welfare escalation, and crisis response for students at risk, working with relevant partners to support vulnerable students
• Develop interventions to promote an inclusive learning environment, ensuring accessible services, appropriate accommodations, and equitable participation across the university.
• Monitor at-risk student interventions and progression support to improve retention and student success.

Student Life, Clubs, and Events

• Oversee club governance, charter reviews, funding allocation, and compliance with approved policies.
• Direct planning and coordination of the annual calendar of career fairs, company presentations, student-life activities, and cross-functional events.
• Oversee graduation ceremony planning with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain oversight of student engagement initiatives that strengthen belonging, leadership, and wellbeing.
• Oversee the student representation, including the student council, and foster active dialogue with the student body to build positive relationships and ensure student voice informs decision-making.

Compliance, and Improvement

• Oversee policy reviews, process improvements, and compliance controls to align service delivery with institutional requirements and market expectations.
• Drive KPI reporting, feedback analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives with Academic Affairs, Finance, and D&T.

Skills Requirements

Creativity And Adaptability

Customer Orientation

Excellence Execution

Communication And Collaboration

Qualifications

Knowledge And Experience

• 7+ years of progressive experience in student affairs, higher education administration, or student services, including at least 2 years in a managerial capacity[DW1]
• Strong knowledge of career services, employer engagement, student support, academic advising, student records, and student-life operations
• Proven ability to use data, KPIs, and process improvement methods to strengthen student experience, retention, and operational performance

Education And Certifications

• Bachelor degree required in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Business Administration or a closely related field is required
• Master degree required in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Business Administration or a closely related field is preferred

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.