Position Summary
The Assistant Dean works closely with the Dean and Associate Deans to develop, manage, and lead the Division, in efforts to faculty support, developing and managing key relations with in-Kingdom and international partners, collaborating with NTI, and liaising with relevant administrative departments across KAUST.
Major Responsibilities
Divisional Strategy
- Work collaboratively with the Dean and divisional leadership team to develop and implement the divisional strategy.
- Identify and explore opportunities for strategic projects and initiatives.
Faculty Support
- Be the “go-to” person for all faculty requests related to research and academic operations that need to be coordinated with relevant departments.
- Oversee the faculty onboarding process and initiate laboratory and office space allocation.
- Support faculty in setting up laboratories: Guide new faculty to navigate KAUST system, assist them in space and equipment requests through ASEPC processes, coordinate with FM/PDEC/LEM and relevant departments to speed up lab fit-out for new faculty, train new faculty to manage bio-procurement at KAUST, guide new faculty to set up their research group web site.
- Advise new faculty on administration, student admission and research recruitment process.
Research Operations and Governance
- Oversee planning of BioMed laboratory and office space allocation and manage the ASEPC processes at divisional and University levels.
- Oversee BioMed research equipment and asset management and ensure compliance with the policies and procedures.
- Partner with the Procurement Department to improve procurement performance for biomedical research.
- Assist in developing, interpreting, and disseminating research policies and guidelines.
- Liaise with Risk Management, Information Security, Health, Safety & Environment and ensure BioMed research operations comply with the policies and procedures.
- Coordinate with relevant departments to seek improvements and optimization of various KAUST policies impacting research operations and governance.
Academic Operations
- Work collaboratively with the Associate Deans, Program Chairs, and Graduate Program and Student Advisors to oversee and enhance the BioMed student lifecycle.
- Assist in developing, interpreting, and disseminating academic policies and guidelines.
Faculty Affairs
- Assist the Dean and Associate Dean in implementing the divisional faculty recruitment strategy.
- Support the Dean in the annual faculty evaluation process and provide information on scientific performance metrics.
Communications
- Oversee divisional communications, including the website, social media, content creation, and BioMed brand development and promotion.
Outreach
- Develop and manage key relations with in-kingdom and international partners and proactively contribute to external network development.
- Partner with the National Transformation Institute on matters related to technology transfer, translational research efforts, and industrial collaborations.
Reporting
- Work with relevant stakeholders on institutional reporting.
- Development and writing of high-level reports and briefings for the Dean and executive management in the relevant subjects.
Personal Requirements
Competencies
- Excellent leadership skills.
- Sound strategic thinking and analytical skills.
- Demonstrable organizational and time management skills.
- Professional project management skills.
- Demonstrated skills in establishing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
- Ability to work in teams and independently.
- Flexible approach to work.
- Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Experience
- MS in relevant field (PhD strongly preferred)
- Minimum 10 years of combined scientific and administrative experience in a similar environment
- Experience in academic operations role
- Experience in providing process directions and training
