Programme Director 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 programmes 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 programmes, 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 atRUA is seeking an experienced academic leader to support the development and delivery of programmes in visual arts, and pathways that couldinclude art history and theory including Islamic and pre-Islamic art, traditional crafts and contemporary art, photo and film, painting,digital arts, printmaking, sculpture and 3D making, and animation and moving Image. Reporting to the College Director, the ProgrammeDirector will contribute to the establishment of contemporary and interdisciplinary visual arts programmes that combine creative practice,technical knowledge, research-led teaching, and innovation in visual arts education. This position is expected to includeapproximately 30% teaching as part of the overall academic leadership portfolio. The successful candidate will help shape programmesaligned with global standards while responding to the rapidly evolving cultural and urban landscape of Saudi Arabia. They will play a keyrole in programme and faculty development, academic quality control, and the creation of a distinctive student experience. Key Responsibilities Lead curriculum development, enhancement, and academic planning for Visual Artsprogrammes Ensure alignment with accreditation, quality assurance, and institutional standards Support facultyrecruitment, mentoring, academic coordination, and programme delivery Contribute to student progression and programme monitoring Build partnerships with design industries, cultural organisations, policymakers, and external stakeholders Lead on thedevelopment of a rich creative culture within the programme and provide support for the broader college and university community throughprogramming, events, publications, and online dissemination. Oversee programme operations, scheduling, and resource planning Support student recruitment and engagement initiatives Contribute to interdisciplinary and practice-based learninginitiatives across the University Academic Leadership Promote innovation andexcellence in visual arts education Support studio-based and research-led teaching that is at the forefront of the field Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and industry engagement Mentor faculty and contribute to academic developmentinitiatives Support the development and implementation of new programmes Help shape a future-oriented vision for theCollege Operations and Management Coordinate day-to-day programme operations andfaculty support Monitor assessment practices, learning outcomes, and student progression Support accreditationdocumentation, reporting processes, and academic governance Assist with planning for facilities, studios, and technical resources Research Contribute to the development of a strong and collaborative research culture within the College Undertake and disseminate high-quality research Ideal Experience and Skills PhD in visual arts or a related field Significant experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, andprogramme delivery Experience of quality assurance, accreditation, and validation Excellent understanding ofcontemporary visual arts practice Experience working with interdisciplinary and studio-based learning environments Evidence of faculty mentoring and academic team leadership Excellent communication and organisational skills Evidenceof an active research practice Experience of industry engagement and partnership development International academicand/or professional experience preferred 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. To Apply A cover letter addressing your suitability for the role Adetailed academic curriculum vitae, including: full employment history, including dates and positions held; academicleadership and management responsibilities; curriculum, programme, or course development experience; teachingexperience; quality assurance, accreditation, validation, or academic governance experience; research, publications,funded projects, exhibitions, or significant professional practice, as applicable; staff mentoring, faculty development, or teamleadership experience; relevant professional registrations, memberships, awards, and international experience. Aportfolio including a maximum of 3-5 examples of relevant academic or professional practice work A statement of teaching,research, and programme development strategy (max. 3 pages) Applications should be submitted to: FacultyCareer@rua.edu.sa Applicants are requested to include the position title in the subjectline of the application email.