President of the American International University (Position Requires Relocation to Kuwait)
President of the American International University (AIU)
Position Requires Relocation to Kuwait
This position accepts unaccompanied candidates only.
Reports To:
Chief Executive Officer
Position Summary:
The President of the American International University (AIU) serves as the chief academic and executive leader of the institution, responsible for advancing AIU’s mission to “improve and enrich lives” through excellence in education, research, and innovation. The President provides visionary leadership across all academic and research divisions, ensuring AIU remains the premier institution for technology, innovation, and next-generation learning in the Middle East.
The President oversees the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, all Deans, the Office of Academic Research, accreditation and quality assurance, academic budgeting, faculty recruitment and development, academic planning, new program design, student internship development, and industry engagement through advisory boards and partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Academic Leadership
- Lead the execution of AIU’s strategic vision in alignment with the directives of the CEO and the Board of Trustees.
- Oversee all academic departments and units to ensure program quality, rigor, and alignment with Kuwait’s Vision 2035 and global education benchmarks.
- Foster a culture of innovation, research, and continuous improvement that strengthens AIU’s position as the region’s most elite and forward-looking university.
- Drive institutional growth through strategic program expansion, global partnerships, and measurable academic outcomes tied to established KPIs.
- Ensure continued institutional and programmatic accreditation at national and international levels, maintaining AIU’s gold-standard reputation.
Academic Affairs Oversight
- Supervise all Vice Presidents, Deans, and academic leaders to ensure coherence and excellence in curriculum, instruction, and learning outcomes.
- Oversee the design, development, and launch of cutting-edge programs in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity, Nanotechnology, Digital Transformation, and Creative Media.
- Ensure alignment of all programs with accreditation standards (PUC, ABET, AACSB, and others) and AIU’s quality assurance frameworks.
- Lead efforts to integrate experiential learning, applied research, and industry collaboration across all colleges and institutes.
Research, Innovation & Accreditation
- Oversee the Office of Academic Research and promote interdisciplinary research that drives technological and societal advancement.
- Define short- and medium-term
research priorities consistent with institutional scale and strengthen institutional capacity to enable grant capture.
- Encourage research grant acquisition, faculty scholarship, and publication in high-impact journals.
Faculty Recruitment & Development
- Direct all faculty hiring, workload planning, and long-term faculty projections based on enrollment and program needs.
- Lead efforts to attract world-class faculty with expertise in advanced technology, applied research, and future-focused education.
- Oversee faculty performance evaluation, promotion, and professional development programs that enhance teaching excellence and research productivity.
Academic Budget & Resource Management
- Oversee the academic affairs budget, ensuring optimal resource allocation and financial sustainability.
- Work collaboratively with the CFO to align academic investments with institutional priorities.
- Implement data-driven forecasting for enrollment, faculty needs, and program development to ensure efficiency and accountability.
Industry Partnerships & Student Success
- Strengthen ties with private industry, government ministries, and international partners to expand internships, exchanges, cooperative education, and research opportunities.
- Establish and lead Industry Advisory Boards for each academic unit to ensure relevance and market alignment of curricula.
- Promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and career readiness through AIU’s ecosystem of high-impact events, research centers, and internship programs.
- Support initiatives that enhance student engagement, retention, and post-graduation employability.
Institutional Advancement & External Relations
- Serve as the principal academic ambassador of AIU to governmental agencies, accreditation bodies, and partner institutions.
- Represent AIU in regional and global academic forums, positioning the university as the premier hub for research, innovation, and leadership development in the GCC.
- Support the organization and delivery of AIU’s elite, high-impact events such as the GCC AI & Cybersecurity Forum, Space Week, and AI Film Festival.
Qualifications
- Doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education leadership (Dean, Vice President, Provost, or President level).
- Demonstrated record of success in academic administration, accreditation, program innovation, and research advancement.
- Proven ability to manage complex budgets and lead large, diverse academic teams and stakeholders.
- Strong record of external engagement with industry, government, and international partners.
- Superior communication, leadership, and change-management skills.
- Fluency in English required; Arabic proficiency strongly preferred.
Core Competencies
- Visionary and transformational leadership
- Academic and research excellence
- Financial and operational acumen
- Strategic program development
- Innovation and digital transformation mindset
- Stakeholder diplomacy and global partnership building
- Integrity, accountability, and mission-driven leadership
- Collaborative, collegial and decisive, as well as student-centered and culturally sensitive to the Gulf context.