Senior Manager, Faculty Outreach (Recruitment)

About RUA 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 Faculty Affairs department, within the Provost Division at RUA, is seeking an experienced higher education professional to join as Senior Manager, Faculty Outreach. The postholder will lead faculty outreach and recruitment, translating academic staffing needs into targeted hiring actions and coordinating end-to-end sourcing, evaluation, and appointment processes to secure high-quality academic talent for the University. The role also maintains faculty talent pipelines, monitors recruitment market intelligence, and supports accurate faculty data management to inform workforce planning and accreditation needs. As RUA is a start-up institution, the postholder will help establish the policies, procedures, and sourcing strategies that underpin the University's academic hiring for years to come. The postholder reports to the Dean, Faculty Affairs and leads the Faculty Outreach team, working closely with College leadership, Human Resources, and Faculty Development and Engagement. Faculty Outreach and Recruitment Responsibilities: ●Own academic staffing intake by consolidating College requests, translating demand into role profiles and recruitment mandates, and confirming that requisitions align with HR processes and approved budgets ●Validate and coordinate faculty recruitment and appointment frameworks and policies with HR, including hiring criteria, rank and status, workload norms, credentialing standards, and faculty handbook provisions ●Build and execute faculty sourcing strategies through academic networks, institutional partnerships, targeted outreach campaigns, and discipline-specific channels ●Maintain faculty talent pipelines and recruitment market intelligence to support future hiring needs and workforce planning ●Lead the academic evaluation process by coordinating subject-matter assessment, engaging selection panels, ensuring consistent evidence capture, and producing recommendations for appointment decisions ●Coordinate negotiation of academic appointment terms, including rank, level, salary band, and academic conditions, with the Dean of Faculty Affairs, the Provost, and College leadership in coordination with HR ●Perform regular data quality checks, apply access controls, and produce standardised reports on recruitment outcomes, cycle efficiency, and sourcing effectiveness to support planning, compliance, and accreditation ●Build and sustain relationships with partner universities, academic networks, and external recruitment partners and search firms Leadership and Management Responsibilities ●Contribute to the Faculty Affairs business plan and develop the operational plan for Faculty Outreach in line with it ●Participate in departmental budgeting, ensure effective use of the section's budget, and report accurately on progress and challenges ●Lead the implementation of Faculty Outreach policies and procedures, monitor day-to-day compliance, and review them periodically against RUA's requirements and evolving market trends ●Guide, mentor, and appraise members of the Faculty Outreach team, setting performance objectives and providing regular feedback ●Establish a high-performance working environment and promote RUA's values ● Lead and manage outreach and recruitment projects, ensuring delivery within agreed cost, budget, timelines, scope, and quality standards. Ideal Experience and Skills ● Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, human resources, business administration, public administration, education leadership, or a related field; a Master's degree in one of these fields is preferred ● 7+ years of experience in higher education administration, faculty recruitment, academic HR, or talent acquisition, including at least 2 years in a managerial position ● Strong experience managing end-to-end recruitment workflows, candidate evaluation, appointment coordination, and workforce reporting in a complex academic environment ● Demonstrated ability to partner with senior leaders, HR, and academic stakeholders while balancing service quality, compliance, and data accuracy ● Sound understanding of academic ranks, credentialing standards, and faculty appointment frameworks ● Strong data analysis and reporting skills ● Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and organisational skills ● International academic and/or professional experience preferred To Apply ● A cover letter addressing your suitability for the role ● A detailed curriculum vitae, including: full employment history, dates and positions held; experience in faculty or academic recruitment, talent sourcing, and appointment coordination; management and team leadership experience; experience with recruitment data, reporting, and policy development; relevant professional certifications, memberships, and international experience ● A brief statement (max. 2 pages) outlining your approach to faculty sourcing and outreach for a start-up university Applications should be submitted to: [email protected]. Applicants are requested to include the position title in the subject line of the application email Why joining RUA: 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. Show more