Director of Administration

About the role

The University of the Arts Sharjah is recruiting a Director of Administration, a senior institutional leadership role reporting to the President. The post-holder provides strategic and operational leadership across the University's administrative and support functions, ensuring professional services, campus operations, administrative policies and enabling systems support academic excellence, institutional growth, regulatory compliance and an outstanding experience for students, staff, faculty and visitors. The start date is 4 January 2027 and the application deadline is 21 November 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for administrative services and lead the development and review of administrative policies, procedures, systems, service standards and governance controls
• Provide senior administrative support to the President, senior leadership, executive management and key committees, including agendas, minutes and follow-up on decisions
• Develop administrative policies and procedures in line with University requirements, UAE regulations and governance expectations, and maintain records, document control and information governance
• Coordinate campus administration, facilities readiness, maintenance, security, cleaning, transportation and access control, and support space planning and event coordination
• Oversight of key service providers and outsourced functions, including specifications, tenders, contracts and supplier performance monitoring
• Lead the planning and monitoring of the Administration Department's annual budget in partnership with Finance, and manage administrative resources and asset controls
• Lead, develop and coach the administrative team, set performance measures and support succession planning
• Build relationships with faculty, staff, students, government entities and suppliers, and act as a key point of contact for administrative matters

Required profile

• Proven experience in complex institutional environments
• Sound judgement, political acuity and strong people leadership
• Financial awareness and the ability to turn strategic priorities into operating models, service standards and measurable outcomes