Vice Provost Of Academic Excellence

Riyadh University of Arts جامعة الرياض للفنون; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Riyadh University of Arts is seeking a senior leader to oversee Academic Excellence, quality standards, and accreditation readiness across programs. You will guide governance, assessment, and curriculum governance, coordinating with faculty and external accrediting bodies to ensure top-tier educational outcomes.

The role emphasizes stakeholder coordination, continuous improvement, and aligning with regulatory requirements and Saudi Vision 2030.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in higher education quality and accreditation.
• Strong collaboration with academic leaders and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead policy and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accreditation plans, evidence collection, and submission readiness.
• Maintain a centralized audit-ready repository of accreditation documents.
• Coordinate with deans and faculty to implement standards and policies.
• Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and institutional strategy.

Skills

Creativity & Adaptability

Customer Orientation

Excellence Execution

Professional Maturity

Education

PhD/Terminal degree

Quality assurance/ accreditation cert

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 design and oversight of academic quality standards, assessment governance, learning technology evaluation, interdisciplinary education, program offering management, and accreditation readiness. The role ensures policies, processes, and systems align with institutional strategy, regulatory requirements, local cultural practices, and quality expectations, while monitoring implementation, driving continuous improvement, and coordinating internal and external stakeholders to improve learning outcomes.

General Accountabilities

Strategy and Planning

• Oversee the design and implementation of Academic Excellence department’s strategic plan, objectives, and goals ensuring alignment with RUA's strategy.
• Direct and approve the department’s operational plans and oversee implementation securing achievement of identified objectives.
• Develop the department’s performance objectives and indicators and continuously monitor progress towards realization of objectives.

Budget Management

• Participate in budgeting process for Academic dvision and provide input from Academic Excellence standpoint.
• Ensure effective utilization of the department’s budget and report accurately on progress made and challenges encountered.

Policies, Processes, and Procedures

• Oversee the design and set up of Academic Excellence 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

Academic Standards and Teaching Capability

• Oversee the establishment and annual review of teaching standards and frameworks aligned with program learning outcomes and accreditation requirements.
• Oversee design and delivery of teacher training workshops to embed standards and strengthen instructional practice.

Assessment Governance

• Maintain assessment policy, standardized grading rubrics, exam security protocols, and faculty training on valid, reliable assessment design and grading.
• Review faculty training needs on assessment design, grading practice, and consistent academic quality implementation.
• Validate assessment implementation and follow up on corrective actions where standards are not met.

Learning Technology and Curriculum Management

• Review learning and assessment technologies through market research, feasibility studies, and controlled pilots.
• Coordinate procurement, system integration, deployment, and readiness activities with Digital & Technology and academic stakeholders.

Academic Materials Review

• Set guidelines for regular reviews of academic materials across schools and colleges to maintain compliance with established teaching and learning standards.
• Monitor academic materials compliance data and recommend corrective actions where gaps are identified.

Interdisciplinary Education and Shared Resources Governance

• Set and govern university-wide standards for interdisciplinary education by defining required learning outcomes, associated academic policies, and enabling guidelines aligned with local cultural practices.
• Support consistent implementation of interdisciplinary standards through coordination with Program and Course Leadership across colleges.

Accreditation and Quality Assurance

• Oversee accreditation plans, evidence collection, and submission readiness for accrediting bodies.
• Ensue maintenance of a centralized, version-controlled, audit-ready repository of accreditation and quality documentation and a register of relevant accrediting bodies, standards, and deadlines.
• Oversee development and management of accreditation plans, collection and validation of required evidence, and implementation of tracked corrective actions.

Stakeholder and Governance Support

• Facilitate cross-functional coordination with deans, faculty leaders, and support functions to implement academic standards and policies.
• Brief senior leadership on risks, progress, and decisions required to sustain academic excellence.

Ensure academic quality initiatives remain aligned with institutional goals, regulatory requirements, and compliance expectations.

Skills Requirements:

Creativity & Adaptability

Customer Orientation

Excellence Execution

Professional Maturity

Qualifications:

Knowledge And Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in higher education, academic quality, curriculum oversight, accreditation, or related academic operations, including at least 6 years in a managerial position
• Strong knowledge of teaching standards, assessment governance, quality assurance, accreditation processes, and teacher training practices within an arts university
• Demonstrated experience partnering with academic leaders

Education And Certifications:

• Phd/Terminal degree in a relevant discipline is required
• 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.