Director of Preparatory Year Program
Description
Job location: Riyadh
The Director will:
Design and launch the entire Foundation Year programme from scratch.
Ensure students are academically prepared for undergraduate studies.
Align the programme with:
Arizona State University academic standards
Saudi accreditation bodies:
Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC)
National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA)
Key Responsibilities
Academic & Programme Leadership
Create curriculum, policies, assessments, and learning outcomes.
Oversee subjects like English, General Education, Mathematics, and introductory tracks.
Introduce modern teaching methods and student-focused learning.
Faculty & Team Management
Recruit and manage instructors and coordinators.
Conduct training, coaching, and performance evaluations.
Build a strong academic culture.
Student Success
Manage placement testing and student progression.
Develop systems to support struggling students.
Monitor attendance, performance, and retention.
Operations
Handle scheduling, timetables, budgets, and LMS systems (Canvas preferred).
Ensure smooth daily academic operations.
Accreditation & Quality Assurance
Prepare the programme for ETEC and NCAAA accreditation from Day 1.
Maintain documentation, reporting, and evidence tracking.
Stakeholder Collaboration
Coordinate with admissions, academic colleges, and ASU partners.
Represent the Foundation Year in university committees and accreditation discussions.
Requirements
Education
PhD/EdD in Education, Applied Linguistics, Curriculum & Instruction, or related field preferred.
Strong Master’s candidates may also be considered.
Experience
8–10 years in higher education.
3–5 years in leadership/programme management roles.
Experience with Foundation Year or pathway programmes required.
International/U.S.-affiliated university experience preferred.
Start-up university experience is a major advantage.
Skills Needed
Curriculum design and accreditation knowledge.
Leadership and stakeholder management.
Data-driven decision making.
LMS knowledge (especially Canvas).
Strong English required; Arabic preferred.