Summary
American University of Sharjah is seeking a Head of Department for its Department of Media Communication, beginning in Fall 2027. The role leads departmental strategy, curriculum and accreditation, faculty recruitment and development, student success, budgets, facilities, and course scheduling. Applicants need a doctoral or similar terminal degree in media and communication or a related field, a strong record of scholarship, teaching, and academic service, and preferably academic leadership experience. The position is in Sharjah; applications are due by December 10, 2026, and compensation is commensurate with experience, with free housing and paid utilities.
The posting
As published on aus.edu. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Head of Department Position in Media Communication at American University of Sharjah
The Department of Media Communication at American University of Sharjah invites applications for the Head of Department position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, beginning in Fall 2027. The department seeks a collaborative and visionary leader with a record of excellence in teaching, research and service, and a strong commitment to student success and faculty development.
The department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Media Communication and a Master of Arts in Media Studies and Practice. Successful applicants should hold a doctoral degree or similar terminal degree in media and communication, or a related field, from an accredited, internationally recognized university and have an established record of scholarly publications commensurate with rank, together with a record of teaching excellence and academic service.
Preference will be given to candidates with administrative and leadership experience, such as serving as a department head or chair, program director, or in a comparable academic leadership role, and to candidates with experience in international and multicultural academic settings.
Department Head Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and foster a collegial, collaborative, and professional departmental environment characterized by mutual respect and constructive communication.
- Oversee curriculum development and coordinate program accreditation and quality assurance
- Recruit high-quality faculty, support their professional development and promote strong performance in teaching, scholarship, creative work, and service.
- Promote student success and high-quality academic experience.
- Manage department’s budget, facilities, staff, and course scheduling;
- Cultivate relationships with the media and communication industries, alumni, and department’s advisory board, including internship and partnership opportunities that raise the department’s regional and international profile.
- Represent and advocate for the department within the college and university.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should fill out an online application form at https://acg-apps1.aus.edu/cas/empapp/apply.php?p=MAS-DH-27-01 and upload the following documents (combined into a single PDF file):
- A cover letter describing teaching, research and administrative experience, and articulating vision for the department’s development and success.
- A current curriculum vitae including the names and contact information at least three referees (references will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates).
- A statement of administrative philosophy.
- A statement of teaching philosophy.
- A statement of research philosophy.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received no later than December 10, 2026. Review of completed applications will begin immediately after and will continue until the position is filled.
About American University of Sharjah
American University of Sharjah (AUS) invites applications from accomplished scholars committed to excellence in teaching, learning and research within an American-style, globally recognized institution. Successful candidates will be offered a salary commensurate with experience, along with free housing, paid utilities and other attractive benefits.
As a comprehensive, independent, non-profit, coeducational university, AUS is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the Arab region and among the top 17 percent of ranked universities in the world (QS, 2027). The university fosters a diverse community of over 6,000 students from more than 100 nations, with English as the language of instruction and the workplace.
Located in Sharjah's University City, AUS is directly adjacent to the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, providing faculty with significant opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary research and contribute directly to the UAE’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem. The campus is set in a vibrant and cosmopolitan area, offering abundant opportunities for travel, entertainment and cultural experiences, with Sharjah International Airport minutes away and Dubai International Airport only 30 minutes from campus. A number of schools aligned with various international curricula are located nearby.
AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. AUS has been accredited in the United States of America by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801 USA) since June 2004.
For more information, please visit www.aus.edu.