College Director: College of Visual Arts

About Riyadh University of Arts (RUA) Riyadh University of Arts (RUA) is a newly established institutiondedicated to arts education, creative practice, and cultural development in Saudi Arabia. As part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative,RUA is being developed as a national centre for arts education and a driver of the country's growing cultural and creative sectors. RUA brings together academic and industry expertise to deliver practice-based, interdisciplinary programs that prepare students forcareers in the creative economy. The University is designed to serve as a regional and global hub for cultural exchange, supportingcollaboration between artists, scholars, and industry partners. As a start-up institution, RUA offers a unique opportunity tocontribute to the design and development of academic programs, shape institutional culture, and play a foundational role in building a newmodel for arts education in the region and globally. About the Role The College of Visual Arts at RUA isseeking an experienced and innovative academic leader to shape and lead its academic strategy, programs, and partnerships. Reportingto the School Dean, this role will play a central part in establishing a high-quality, future-focused visual arts college with a strongemphasis on studio practice, creative research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and partnerships with the cultural and creativeindustries. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of a dynamic academic environment that supports artisticexperimentation, innovation, and successful and sustainable career pathways for students across the visual arts sector. They will play a keyrole in programme and faculty development, academic quality control, and the creation of a distinctive student experience. Key Responsibilities Academic Leadership Lead the development and delivery of academic programs,including education and creative research strategy Ensure alignment of academic plans with School Board guidance andinstitutional priorities Oversee academic performance and provide strategic direction for the college Advanceteaching, creative practice, research, and interdisciplinary initiatives Build and strengthen partnerships with industry,galleries, museums and cultural institutions. Lead on the development of a rich creative culture within the College and providesupport for cultural programming within the broader university community. Be an active advocate for the arts within the widercreative community nationally and globally Academic Responsibilities Facilitate thedevelopment of innovative research-led teaching programs that prepare students for sustainable careers in the visual arts and creativeindustries Ensure academic rigor, quality assurance, and accreditation compliance across all academic offerings Leadfaculty planning, staffing, and academic workforce development Develop and support initiatives that connect students and facultywith national, regional, and international industry opportunities Strengthen student experience and professional developmentthrough mentorship, exhibition opportunities, and industry engagement Contribute to teaching on a limited basis, whereappropriate, to support program delivery and maintain engagement with students Advance scholarly and creative activities,including interdisciplinary and practice-based research initiatives Research Ensure the development of astrong, sustainable and collaborative research culture within the College Support on the review and governance of Collegeresearch activity Lead on the development of the College Research Strategy ensuring alignment with National and Regionalpriorities within the 2030 plan. Undertake and disseminate high-quality research Operations andManagement Oversee academic operations, faculty recruitment, and professional development Manageresources and budgets effectively Support student recruitment, outreach, and public engagement initiatives in collaboration withrelevant teams Ensure compliance with university policies, academic regulations, and quality assurance standards Monitor performance metrics, academic outcomes, and partnership activities Ensure alignment and integration of academic andtechnical provision within the college. Ideal Experience and Skills Academic and ProfessionalExperience 15+ years of experience in senior academic and/or leadership roles within visual arts, fine arts, design,or related creative disciplines Advanced degree required; terminal degree or PhD preferred Internationally recognizedfor academic, scholarly, and/or professional creative achievement Proven leadership in academic strategy, curriculum development,teaching quality, and creative research activity Experience building partnerships across cultural, artistic, and creativeindustry sectors Strong understanding of contemporary visual arts practice, global visual arts sector, and emerging trends increative education Leadership and Management Proven ability to inspire and leadcollaborative academic teams Demonstrated experience developing and implementing academic strategy within a higher educationenvironment Strong understanding of quality assurance, accreditation, and academic governance processes Experiencemanaging faculty performance, staffing, and resource allocation Commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, andstudent-centered learning Interpersonal Skills Excellent communication andrelationship-building skills Ability to work collaboratively across diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, faculty,students, industry partners, and government entities Strong intercultural communication skills and the ability to workeffectively in an international environment Compensation and Benefits The University offers acompetitive, tax-free compensation package in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The package includes a base salary, housing allowance, educationallowance (where applicable), and relocation support, along with additional benefits in line with University policy and international bestpractices. Application Process To apply, please submit: A cover letter detailing youralignment with the key components of the role A current CV A professional portfolio of research and/or creativepractice Applications should be submitted to: FacultyCareer@rua.edu.sa Applicants are requested to include the position title in the subject line of the application email.