Head of Career Development & Experiential Learning

About the Role

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is seeking a Head of Career Development & Experiential Learning. This full-time position is responsible for developing and leading KAUST’s comprehensive strategy for career development, internships, and industry engagement. The role aims to enhance student employability and strengthen pathways from education to meaningful career opportunities for Saudi and international students across KAUST’s graduate and academic programs.

Strategic Leadership and Partnerships

The Head will provide strategic leadership for career development services, ensuring students are equipped with the necessary skills, networks, and experiences for successful transitions into industry, academia, entrepreneurship, and other professional pathways. This involves building and managing strategic relationships with Saudi industry, government entities, and key ecosystem partners to create opportunities for internships, experiential learning, and full-time employment for KAUST graduates. The role also oversees visiting student engagement pathways, ensuring a high-quality KAUST experience and meaningful connections for participants.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive career development strategy aligned with KAUST’s institutional priorities, Vision 2030, and Saudi workforce development needs.
• Lead the design and delivery of career development programs, resources, and initiatives for Saudi and international students.
• Establish a structured career development framework including coaching, professional skills development, industry preparation, networking, and employment readiness.
• Collaborate with the Office of Alumni Affairs and Graduate Employment to enhance career programming, workshops, employer events, and professional development initiatives.
• Utilize data, student feedback, employer insights, and employment outcomes to measure impact and improve career services.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Saudi industries, corporations, government entities, research organizations, and innovation ecosystems to expand career and internship opportunities.
• Build an employer engagement strategy to increase internship placements, graduate recruitment pipelines, and industry collaboration.
• Identify emerging workforce needs and collaborate with academic leaders to ensure students develop relevant skills.
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive internship and experiential learning strategy, establishing processes and partnerships to increase access to high-quality opportunities.
• Lead the strategic development and management of visiting student engagement pathways, collaborating with academic divisions, admissions, and student services.
• Establish career services metrics, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to monitor engagement, internship outcomes, employment results, and employer partnerships.
• Represent KAUST at external events, industry forums, and professional networks.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic career development and employability programs within a higher education environment.
• Strong knowledge of STEM career pathways, workforce trends, and industry talent needs.
• Strong understanding of the Saudi higher education, industry, and innovation ecosystem.
• Proven experience building and managing relationships with corporate, government, and institutional partners.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to operate strategically while managing complex programs and initiatives.
• Experience working with culturally diverse student populations and international environments.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive decision-making and measure impact.

Collaboration and Impact

Working collaboratively with Academic Divisions, Faculty, Student Affairs, Alumni Affairs and Graduate Employment, KAUST National Transformation Institute (NTI), and external partners, this role is pivotal in positioning KAUST as a leading institution for developing STEM talent aligned with Kingdom priorities and Vision 2030.

Additional Responsibilities

The Head will also support student recruitment, orientation, commencement, and other major University activities as needed, undertaking additional responsibilities as assigned by leadership.