Manager of Continuing Education Centre

JOB PURPOSE : The Manager of Continuing Education Development (CEC) will drive the promotion, development, sustainability and execution of innovative, high-quality continuing education and professional development programs. This role focuses on building strong industry partnerships, expanding the training portfolio, overseeing program delivery and generating revenue. In collaboration with the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics Affairs, the Manager of CEC ensures that programs align with the evolving needs of learners, businesses, and the community and the goals of the Strategic Plan, while supporting the growth and enhancement of CEC’s offerings.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy and Program Management

• Develop and set short-term and long-term priorities for the CEC development, aligned with the University's Strategic Plan.
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of high-quality continuing education programs.
• Expand the CEC portfolio by launching new programs that meet evolving public and private entities and learners’ needs.
• Conduct feasibility studies on the launch of potential new programs.
• Collaborate with academic departments, industry leaders, and government agencies to tailor programs eensuring the programs align with industry needs, trends, and best practices.

Business Development and Outreach

• Drive business development efforts for the CEC by acquiring new clients, maintaining relationships with existing clients, and generating profits.
• Engage with companies and organizations to assess their needs for academic programs and collaborate with academic departments to design tailored new programs.
• Cultivate corporate partnerships with private companies and public organizations to establish agreements for the annual enrolment of their employees in SUAD academic programs.
• Develop and maintains strong professional relationships with industry associations, advisory committees, and key stakeholders to assess and address their evolving professional development needs.
• Secure sponsorships and financial support to assist current students and attract prospective students to CEC programs.
• Lead contract negotiations and manages licensing agreements to ensure program support and compliance.
• Identify opportunities to generate new revenue streams, contributing to the financial growth of the CEC.

Marketing and Recruitment

• In collaboration with Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs develop and implement marketing strategies to promote CEC programs to target audiences through various channels, including digital media, partnerships, workshops and community engagement initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify trends, competitor offerings, and customer demands, and establish competitive and sustainable program pricing based on this analysis.
• Develop and execute targeted recruitment strategies to attract a diverse pool of students, ensuring alignment with the program’s objectives and the university’s goals and strategic plan.

Program Delivery

• Oversee the delivery and quality assurance of CEC programs, ensuring they meet the expectations of learners, businesses, and community stakeholders.
• Identify, recruit, and evaluate qualified trainers and instructors, ensuring they possess the necessary expertise and experience to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant education and training aligned with CEC program objectives.
• Propose curriculum and supporting instructional design mechanisms and technology.
• Oversee the selected trainers and instructors and provide them with all relevant information related to the students, their schedule and express the students’ needs and expectations.
• Implement mechanisms for ongoing assessment and evaluation of program effectiveness, student satisfaction, and learning outcomes, leveraging data-driven insights to foster ongoing improvement.

Budget Management

• Oversee the budget and financial resources of the CEC, ensuring optimal revenue generation while maintaining cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Finance department to manage the annual budget for various CEC programs, ensuring alignment with financial targets.
• Conducts financial analysis and forecasting for both new and existing programs, providing data-driven insights to inform decision-making and strategic planning.

Day-to-day Operations

• Supervise the activities and work of direct reports by providing formal and informal feedback to ensure that all work is carried out in an efficient manner and in accordance with set individual targets.
• Discuss and report on the plans of the CEC with the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to ensure alignment with SUAD’s strategy and inform requirements for the office’s budget.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS:

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum of 5-8 years professional experience in business development within the UAE and the GCC region within the higher education sector
• Strong network within the corporate, government, or non-profit sectors in the UAE and broader GCC region

Job-Specific Skills:

• Business Development and Marketing Skills
• Project Management
• Customer Service Oriented
• Organizational Skills
• Communication skills
• Networking and Relationship Building Skills
• Proficiency in digital tools and platforms
• Languages: full proficiency in English and Arabic, French would be an advantage