Associate Director, Academic Appointments - Office of Academic Appointments

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint an Associate Director of Academic Appointments reporting to the Director, Office of Academic Appointments.

The Associate Director of Academic Appointments, serving as the operational lead, supervises the team of Academic Appointments Partners and reports to the Director. This role entails leadership, policy development, and implementation to advance NYUAD's mission. As a senior leader in the Office of Academic Appointments, the incumbent crafts and implements policies aligning with the institution's strategic objectives. They provide expert guidance to the appointment partners to facilitate seamless coordination with faculty members from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. In the Director's absence, the Associate Director assumes leadership responsibilities, ensuring continuity and effective management within the Office of Academic Appointments for academic recruitment and appointment functions across all divisions and units. Focused on enhancing faculty and academic staff quality and retention, the Associate Director spearheads initiatives to streamline recruitment and appointment procedures and enhance operational efficiency. They serve as a pivotal figure in fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration within the Office of Academic Appointments and NYUAD's academic community.

Dean’s Office: Within the Dean's Office, the incumbent assumes a pivotal role in providing comprehensive support to the Deans, Associate Deans, Diversity Liaisons, and Assistant Deans, overseeing the entire career cycle of NYUAD's faculty. This includes implementing best practices in faculty recruitment, managing various facets of faculty appointments such as re-appointments, renewals, global appointments, joint appointments, associations, and affiliations across NYUAD's divisions and NYU campuses in Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, and New York. They are also responsible for faculty review, promotion, tenure, and post-tenure evaluations, alongside coordinating annual faculty activity reporting and facilitating sabbatical leave and other requests for leaves; requests for NYUAD fellowships internal opportunities. Additionally, they oversee the review and promotion procedures for academic staff and undertake a breadth of other responsibilities as needed, in line with their seniority within the team.

Process and Policy: The Associate Director assumes a critical and senior role in ensuring seamless operations to meet the Dean's objectives. This encompasses executing critical tasks such as generating detailed reports and analyses, orchestrating review processes in accordance with established protocols, crafting divisional academic hiring strategies, and meticulously overseeing the implementation and tracking of approved hiring plans. With a keen awareness of the importance of confidentiality in handling HR-related matters, the Associate Director adeptly educates their team on NYUAD policies and procedures, enabling effective communication with the Deans. Furthermore, they demonstrate proactive leadership by driving progress and adeptly navigating obstacles to ensure the smooth functioning of operations.

Problem-Solving: The Associate Director and their team plays a crucial role connecting faculty members with multiple departments including HR, Immigration, Payroll, and Benefits. Their collaborative approach ensures seamless coordination and effective resolution of issues, particularly for faculty members hailing from diverse global backgrounds who may be less familiar with the intricacies of the American-style university system. By providing comprehensive support and problem-solving assistance, the team enables faculty members to concentrate on their primary duties of conducting cutting-edge research and delivering top-tier education and mentorship to NYUAD students.

Moreover, the Associate Director assumes responsibility for overseeing faculty-data initiatives utilizing various NYU business systems. They spearhead the implementation of innovative system enhancements and design modifications to streamline business processes and administrative duties. Demonstrating a deep commitment to empathy and intercultural competence, they actively embody the principles of the TACT goals within the community. Additionally, the Associate Director plays a pivotal role in organizing and participating in faculty orientations held every August and January, ensuring new faculty members are seamlessly integrated into the NYUAD community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and provide strategic guidance to Deans, Associate Deans, Program Heads, and other senior leadership on complex and confidential HR matters
• Lead the provision of comprehensive human resource advisory and support services to academic division(s)/unit(s), ensuring compliance with UAE laws, HR best practices, and NYUAD policies
• Cultivate and nurture strong business relationships with all NYUAD academic divisions/units through effective management of their respective Appointments Partner
• Serve as the primary liaison between internal HR teams and academic divisions/units, representing their interests and needs to ensure effective communication and collaboration
• Supervise and oversee the administrative support functions provided by staff to academic divisions/units, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in operations
• Collaborate with the Provost Office of Finance on academic headcount budgeting, research fund management, equipment and personnel allocation, and other financial matters
• Influence and guide strategic thinking and planning among stakeholders while ensuring alignment with University vision, mission, and the goals and objectives of academic divisions/units
• Demonstrate comprehensive mastery of University Academic and HR policies, serving as a subject matter expert for AHRPs, senior leadership, and internal HR
• Provide authoritative interpretation of NYU academic policies to AHRPs, senior leadership, and internal HR, ensuring clarity and consistency in implementation
• Lead the review of existing policies, proactively identifying necessary revisions to maintain the relevance and effectiveness of University policies and procedures
• Spearhead the development of new policies, strategies, and procedures in collaboration with process owners, with a specific focus on academic practices, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and sustainability
• Direct the execution of research, studies, and surveys to support policy development, analyzing key findings and leveraging them to drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Establish and manage record keeping procedures, overseeing the maintenance of accurate and comprehensive records and policy documentation in accordance with applicable regulations, policies, and standards
• Cultivate a collaborative and innovative work environment, fostering a culture of creativity and teamwork
• Serve as a prominent advocate and ambassador for the Academic Appointments model, promoting its value and significance both internally and externally
• Manage the Annual Activities within the team, coordinating individual responsibilities, setting deadlines, assigning tasks, and overseeing timelines to ensure seamless execution
• Introduce novel procedures to enhance the efficiency of activity cycles across divisional units while maintaining consistency and adherence to established processes
• Provide comprehensive oversight and guidance on university policies and functional matters to the team, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
• Offer strategic advice to other AHRPs on academic HR matters, NYU network policies, and HR best practices, leveraging expertise to drive informed decision-making
• Foster a deep understanding among team members of NYUAD's institutional vision and the objectives of Academic Appointments, guiding them in aligning their efforts with organizational goals
• Coach the team to exercise sound judgment and facilitate continuous improvements to existing processes and policies, aiming to streamline operations and enhance efficiency
• Provide expert guidance in creative problem-solving to assigned academic division(s)/unit(s), ensuring compliance with University regulations and fostering innovative solutions
• Conduct regular team meetings for knowledge sharing, updates, and brainstorming sessions, facilitating collaboration and collective problem-solving
• Facilitate the growth and development of team members by leveraging available university resources and external tools/platforms, nurturing their professional skills and expertise
• Ensure that appointments-related administrative tasks align with university policies and functional departments, establishing efficient workflows and minimizing duplication of duties
• Provide comprehensive support to team members and their respective academic division(s)/unit(s) in all aspects of recruitment activities, including strategic planning, candidate sourcing, and selection processes. In the absence of the Director, the Assistant Director assumes leadership responsibilities, ensuring continuity and effective management within the Office of Academic Appointments
• Supervise and coordinate NYUAD HR Information sessions aimed at prospective faculty and academic support candidates, ensuring effective communication of the institution's values, opportunities and expectations
• Serve as the primary liaison between Principal Investigators (PIs), the Manager of Research Appointments, and relevant stakeholders, facilitating seamless coordination and communication regarding Research Support hires as needed
• Assume responsibility for overseeing the comprehensive onboarding process for new joiners within divisions/units, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and objectives
• Collaborate with the team to develop, review, and oversee the distribution of all correspondence related to new hires and changes in employment status, maintaining accuracy and compliance with relevant regulations
• Monitor and facilitate the timely completion of personnel actions, including academic reviews, to ensure efficiency and adherence to established timelines.
• Provide strategic support for academic activities such as promotion and tenure processes, leave management, performance evaluations, international employment, and administrative appointments, contributing to the overall success and effectiveness of these initiatives
• Lead the reclassification request process, obtaining necessary approvals, and coordinating submissions to HR, while providing expert consultation on documentation and submission requirements
• Manage compensation-related matters, including pay adjustments and supplemental pay, ensuring fairness and consistency in compensation practices
• Collaborate with the University's Compensation and Benefits department to provide guidance and assistance in administering and reviewing the annual performance appraisal process and employee merit process, aligning with organizational goals and objectives
• Proactively troubleshoot and address pay-related issues, working closely with Payroll to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate compensation management
• Take charge of managing and maintaining comprehensive records within employee files, ensuring compliance with regulations and organizational standards
• Assume ownership of data analytics within academic division(s)/unit(s), offering strategic insights and recommendations to Deans, academic and administrative senior leadership, and internal HR teams to drive informed decision-making and enhance organizational effectiveness
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of employee records in Workday, maintaining meticulous attention to detail and adherence to data privacy regulations
• Act as the primary point of contact for providing employee-related records upon request from academic division(s)/unit(s), demonstrating responsiveness and reliability in meeting organizational needs
• Take full ownership of the comprehensive planning and execution of all faculty orientation events, overseeing every aspect from inception to completion. This includes but is not limited to orchestrating in person orientations held annually in August and January, ensuring seamless coordination and delivery of impactful experiences for faculty members joining the institution
• Serve as the primary representative of academic division(s)/unit(s) in various forums, including meetings, discussions, and search committees, advocating for the division's interests and strategic priorities
• Spearhead efforts to enhance the quality and effectiveness of HR services offered to the University, driving continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and standards
• Play a pivotal role in the development and implementation of new initiatives within the department, leveraging expertise to contribute to the overall success and growth of the organization. Additionally, assume responsibility for performing any other duties as necessary to support departmental objectives and organizational needs

Required Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Preferred Education:

• Master’s Degree

Required Experience:

• More than 7 years of work experience in providing comprehensive client-focused HR services in the Higher Education sector
• Demonstrated adaptability and resilience in navigating ambiguity and embracing change within a dynamic academic environment
• Exceptional consultancy and influencing abilities to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and drive strategic initiatives forward
• Proficiency in crafting clear and concise written and verbal communications, capable of delivering complex information promptly and effectively
• Comprehensive understanding of UAE labor law regulations and their implications for organizational operations
• Outstanding proficiency in written and verbal English communication, with the ability to engage with individuals across all organizational levels
• Strong cross-functional communication skills, enabling effective collaboration and coordination across diverse teams and departments
• Proven track record of complex problem-solving capabilities and a commitment to teamwork and delivering exceptional customer service
• Effective time management and prioritization skills to efficiently handle multiple tasks and deadlines
• Advanced proficiency in Google Suite and experience with HR Information Systems such as Workday, PeopleSoft, or similar platforms

Preferred Experience:

• CIPD/ SHRM HR certification 
• Demonstrated competency working within an internationally diverse team
• Knowledge of Arabic 
• A demonstrated interest in Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, and Equity (IDBE) 

NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai, form the backbone of NYU’s global network university, an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought, advanced research, knowledge creation, and sharing, through its academic, research, and creative activities.