Program Director - Heritage

Riyadh University of Arts جامعة الرياض للفنون; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 400,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Riyadh University of Arts (RUA) in Saudi Arabia is seeking an experienced academic to join the College of Heritage at Associate or Full Professor level, with concurrent appointment as founding Programme Director for Heritage programmes. This senior role combines teaching, research/practice, curriculum development, and student supervision.

The appointee will oversee programme delivery, lead accreditation efforts, and shape a future-focused heritage curriculum reflecting local traditions and

Qualifications

• PhD in Heritage, Museum Studies, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Public History, or related field.
• Appointment at Associate Professor or Professor.
• Established teaching record in heritage or related field at higher education.
• Active research or professional practice profile.
• Experience in curriculum development, programme leadership, quality assurance, and accreditation.
• Strong understanding of heritage practice, preservation, and cultural policy.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships across academic and cultural sectors.
• Evidence of student supervision and mentoring.
• Strong communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• International academic and/or professional experience preferred; Arabic language skills advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design, deliver, and continuously improve practice-based and theory teaching within the Heritage programmes.
• Ensure teaching materials, course materials, and assessment methods support learning outcomes and regulations.
• Contribute to curriculum development and enhancement for the Heritage programmes and related programmes.
• Supervise student research and projects, and support student progression.
• Undertake and disseminate high-quality research and/or professional practice, contributing to a strong research culture.
• Mentor and support junior faculty and contribute to academic development initiatives.
• Build relationships with heritage and cultural organisations, industry partners, and external collaborators.
• Lead accreditation planning and quality assurance processes, and maintain audit-ready programme records.
• Represent the programme in interdisciplinary coordination with other Programme Directors and units.
• Lead development and review of curriculum and academic programming; contribute to future-oriented vision.

Skills

PhD in Heritage

Programme leadership

Teaching in HE

Research activity

Curriculum development

Quality assurance

Partnership building

Student supervision

Leadership

International experience

Arabic language advantage

Education

PhD in Heritage/Museum Studies/Archaeology/Cultural Heritage/Public History or related field

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.

About the Role

The College of Heritage at RUA is seeking an experienced academic to join the faculty of Heritage at Associate or Full Professor level. This is a senior faculty appointment: teaching, research/practice, curriculum development, and student supervision form the core of the role for the duration of the appointment.

Academic leadership at RUA is organised on a rotational model: senior faculty members (Associate and Full Professors) serve periodic terms as Programme Director for their programme, during which they receive 80% teaching release time and an additional academic leadership stipend, before rotating back to a full teaching and research load. Programme Director duty is therefore a recurring service responsibility of the senior faculty role, not a one-off promotion or a separate career track.

The successful candidate will be appointed concurrently as the founding Programme Director for the College's Heritage programmes, for an initial term of two years with the possibility of renewal.

The successful candidate will contribute to the establishment of a future-focused programme that reflects both local heritage traditions and international approaches to heritage studies, preservation, interpretation, and cultural sustainability.

The postholder reports to the College Director in both capacities: as senior faculty, and as Programme Director for the Heritage programmes during the founding term.

Core Faculty Responsibilities (continuing)

• Design, deliver, and continuously improve practice-based and theory teaching within the Heritage programmes


• Ensure teaching approaches, course materials, and assessment methods support approved learning outcomes and academic regulations


• Contribute to curriculum development and enhancement for the Heritage programmes and related programmes


• Supervise student research and projects, and support student progression


• Undertake and disseminate high-quality research and/or professional practice, contributing to a strong research culture within the College


• Mentor and support junior faculty and contribute to academic development initiatives within the College


• Build relationships with heritage and cultural organisations, industry partners, and external academic collaborators


• Contribute to interdisciplinary, practice-based learning initiatives across the College and University


• Lead academic delivery, coordination, and continuous improvement of the Heritage programmes, including student recruitment and performance against enrolment, retention, progression, and completion metrics


• Lead the development and review of curriculum and academic programming, and contribute to a future-oriented academic vision for the College


• Contribute to the College's business planning and provide budget input, including monitoring day-to-day programme expenditure


• Manage the design and implementation of programme-level policies and procedures, and oversee day-to-day compliance


• Ensure programme structures, schedules, and delivery requirements are in place each term, coordinating with faculty and enabling functions


• Lead accreditation planning and quality assurance processes, and maintain audit-ready programme records


• Foster industry engagement and partnerships across the heritage and cultural sectors


• Represent the programme in interdisciplinary coordination with other Programme Directors and academic units, and in relevant academic and professional forums

Ideal Experience and Skills

• PhD in Heritage, Museum Studies, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Public History, or a related field


• Appointable as either the Associate Professor or Professor


• An established teaching record in heritage or a related field at higher education level


• An active and evidenced research and/or professional practice profile


• Experience in curriculum development, academic programme leadership, quality assurance, and accreditation


• Strong understanding of heritage practice, preservation, and cultural policy


• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships across academic and cultural sectors


• Evidence of student supervision and mentoring


• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills


• International academic and/or professional experience preferred


• Experience engaging with cultural and heritage practices within Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, or the broader Arab world is considered a strong asset


• Arabic language skills are considered 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.