Director of Foundation Year at Burjline Builders

Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

14 Aug, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

16 May, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Academic Leadership, Curriculum Design, Faculty Management, Quality Assurance, Accreditation Management, Student Success Strategies, Educational Pedagogy, Budget Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Academic Reporting, Learning Management Systems, English Language Instruction, Strategic Planning, Performance Review, Data-Driven Decision Making, Multicultural Leadership

Industry

Construction

Description

POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Foundation Year provides visionary academic and operational leadership for Kingdom University's Foundation Year programme — a critical gateway experience designed to prepare newly admitted students for the rigours of undergraduate study. Operating within a greenfield university environment, this role is responsible for designing, launching, and continuously improving a high-quality, student-centred Foundation Year that aligns with the academic standards of Arizona State University (ASU), the requirements of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC), and the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA). The Director leads a multidisciplinary team of instructors, coordinators, and academic support staff across General Education, English Language, Mathematics, and introductory discipline-specific tracks. This position is accountable for student readiness outcomes, curriculum integrity, faculty development, and accreditation evidence across all Foundation Year academic operations. In Year 1, the Director will serve as the primary architect of the Foundation Year model — building structures, policies, and quality systems from the ground up. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Academic Leadership & Programme Design • Design and oversee the full Foundation Year curriculum framework in alignment with ASU academic standards, ETEC licensing requirements, and NCAAA accreditation criteria. • Establish clear learning outcomes, progression standards, and academic policies governing placement, advancement, and exit from the Foundation Year. • Lead the development of course syllabi, assessment frameworks, and instructional materials in collaboration with academic department leads. • Ensure vertical alignment between Foundation Year outcomes and first-year degree programme requirements across all colleges. • Champion innovative, student-centred pedagogy including active learning, blended delivery, and experiential learning approaches. 2. Team Leadership & Faculty Management • Recruit, onboard, and lead a diverse team of full-time faculty, part-time instructors, and academic coordinators across General English, General Education, and introductory discipline tracks. • Establish a structured faculty development programme, including peer observation, coaching, and professional learning communities. • Conduct regular performance reviews and set clear, measurable objectives for all academic staff within the Foundation Year. • Foster a collaborative, high-performance academic culture grounded in evidence-based teaching practice and continuous improvement. 3. Student Success & Academic Support • Oversee English placement testing processes and ensure appropriate student grouping and section management. • Design and implement early-warning systems to identify and support students at academic risk. • Collaborate with the Manager of Student Success and Wellness to provide integrated academic and wellbeing support services. • Monitor student attendance, progression, and performance data — reporting regularly to the Provost on readiness and retention metrics. • Champion an inclusive, supportive learning environment that reflects Kingdom University's commitment to student success. 4. Operations & Administration • Develop and manage the Foundation Year academic calendar, timetabling, and section scheduling in coordination with the Registrar. • Oversee day-to-day academic operations of the Foundation Year, ensuring teaching quality, resource deployment, and issue resolution. • Manage the Foundation Year budget, ensuring cost-effective staffing models and resource allocation aligned with enrolment projections. • Administer and optimise the use of the Learning Management System (Canvas or equivalent) across all Foundation Year courses. 5. Quality Assurance & Accreditation • Build and maintain a robust evidence culture for ETEC and NCAAA accreditation readiness, ensuring all Foundation Year processes are audit-ready from Day 1. • Develop and implement a Foundation Year Quality Assurance framework including programme reviews, assessment moderation, and outcome tracking. • Produce regular academic reports for the Provost, President, and Board documenting student outcomes, programme health, and improvement actions. • Lead Foundation Year self-study contributions and accreditation submissions as required. 6. Stakeholder Engagement & Institutional Collaboration • Serve as the primary liaison between the Foundation Year and academic colleges, ensuring seamless student transition into degree programmes. • Collaborate with Admissions and Student Recruitment on enrolment planning, student profiling, and articulation pathway communications. • Engage with ASU academic partners to maintain curriculum alignment and leverage best practices from ASU's General Studies and preparatory frameworks. • Represent the Foundation Year in academic governance committees, faculty senate discussions, and external accreditation forums. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Education • A doctoral degree (PhD or EdD) in Education, Applied Linguistics, Curriculum & Instruction, or a closely related discipline is required. • A Master's degree with exceptional and extensive relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a doctorate in exceptional circumstances. Experience • A minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in higher education, with at least 3–5 years in an academic leadership or programme director role. • Demonstrated experience designing and managing Foundation Year, preparatory, or pathway programmes in a university setting. • Experience working within or alongside U.S.-affiliated or internationally accredited universities is highly desirable. • Prior experience in a greenfield or start-up university environment is a significant advantage. Technical & Domain Knowledge • Deep knowledge of Foundation Year and General Education curriculum design, outcomes based assessment, and academic support best practices. • Familiarity with ETEC and NCAAA accreditation standards, or equivalent international quality assurance frameworks. • Proficiency in Learning Management Systems (Canvas preferred) and academic reporting tools. • Strong understanding of English language instruction methodologies, placement testing, and EFL/ESL learning progression frameworks. Leadership & Interpersonal Skills • Proven ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary academic teams in a multicultural, high growth environment. • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills — able to work effectively with faculty, students, senior leadership, and external partners. • Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, with experience using student data to drive instructional improvement. • High levels of initiative, adaptability, and resilience — essential qualities for operating in a start-up institutional context. Language • Full professional proficiency in English is required (written and spoken). • Proficiency in Arabic is strongly preferred, facilitating effective engagement with students, faculty, and government partners

Responsibilities

The Director provides visionary leadership to design, launch, and manage the Foundation Year programme, ensuring alignment with ASU, ETEC, and NCAAA standards. This includes overseeing curriculum development, leading a multidisciplinary faculty team, and driving student readiness and retention outcomes.