Senior Officer – Career Development & Industry Engagement

Job Summary:

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is seeking a motivated, organized, and highly interpersonal Senior Officer – Career Development & Industry Engagement to join its Alumni and Career Services Department.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Alumni and Career Services, the role leads and coordinates the University’s work experience, internship, career development, and industry engagement initiatives. The position will develop and maintain strong relationships with employers, industry partners, professional organizations, and other external stakeholders while supporting students in gaining meaningful work experience, developing career readiness skills, and transitioning successfully into the workforce.

The role will also contribute to career services programs, community and industry engagement initiatives, departmental communications and social media activities, special projects, and other initiatives that support the strategic objectives of the Alumni and Career Services Department.

Job Description:

Senior Officer – Career Development & Industry Engagement

Alumni and Career Services Department

American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), UAE

General Information About Institution

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is an independent co-education institution of Higher Education that provides an integrated American-style, undergraduate and graduate education. All programs are accredited by the Ministry of Education of the UAE; additionally, it is accredited by the U.S. regional accreditation association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The American model of higher education ensures not only skills in specific academic fields, but also a general education curriculum that exposes students to new ideas and ways of thinking critically about local and global issues. AURAK is a young and rapidly growing university. AURAK is located in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the Northern Emirates and a rapidly growing region. The beauty of Ras Al Khaimah is reflected in its traditions and diverse landscapes — its white sandy beaches, the majestic Hajjar Mountains, the expansive desert and its sand dunes, and the many historical sites.

AURAK values diversity, inclusiveness and cultural authenticity where all individuals are treated based on their merits and abilities. AURAK is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all qualified applicants irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or age.

About the Role

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is seeking a motivated, organized, and highly interpersonal Senior Officer – Career Development & Industry Engagement to join its Alumni and Career Services Department.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Alumni and Career Services, the role leads and coordinates the University’s work experience, internship, career development, and industry engagement initiatives. The position will develop and maintain strong relationships with employers, industry partners, professional organizations, and other external stakeholders while supporting students in gaining meaningful work experience, developing career readiness skills, and transitioning successfully into the workforce.

The role will also contribute to career services programs, community and industry engagement initiatives, departmental communications and social media activities, special projects, and other initiatives that support the strategic objectives of the Alumni and Career Services Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the University’s work experience and internship program, including developing and maintaining relationships with suitable employers, organizations, and industry partners.
• Identify and secure quality internship and work experience opportunities aligned with students’ academic programs, interests, and career goals.
• Facilitate the internship placement process by coordinating with students, academic departments, employers, and other relevant stakeholders from opportunity identification through placement and completion.
• Maintain an up-to-date database of participating employers, industry partners, internship providers, and available opportunities.
• Maintain accurate internship records and documentation, collect feedback from students and employers, monitor outcomes, and prepare regular reports.
• Recommend improvements to enhance the effectiveness, quality, and student experience of the University’s work experience and internship program.
• Support the planning and delivery of career development activities, including career workshops, employer talks, career fairs, networking opportunities, recruitment events, and other student-focused programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers, corporate partners, industry representatives, professional organizations, and other external stakeholders to expand internship, career, and student engagement opportunities.
• Support employer outreach, partnership coordination, stakeholder communications, meetings, follow-up, and relationship management.
• Manage community and industry engagement initiatives and identify opportunities for collaboration with businesses, government entities, NGOs, professional organizations, alumni, and other external stakeholders.
• Support partnerships and collaborative initiatives that enhance student employability, work experience, graduate recruitment, and industry engagement.
• Coordinate and support special projects and initiatives assigned by the Senior Manager, Alumni and Career Services, in support of the department’s strategic objectives.
• Manage and coordinate the Alumni and Career Services Department’s social media channels, including content planning, preparation, publication, content calendars, and promotion of internship, career, alumni, employer, and departmental activities.
• Monitor social media engagement and communications performance and prepare reports and recommendations to improve reach, engagement, and stakeholder awareness.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other departmental documents while maintaining accurate records and handling confidential information appropriately.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, appointments, and departmental activities, including preparing agendas and meeting minutes, tracking action points, and ensuring timely follow-up.
• Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of departmental initiatives, policies, procedures, KPIs, and operational plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Result Areas and Duties

KRA 1: Work Experience and Internship Opportunities (40%)
KRA 2: Career Services and Employer Engagement (30%)
KRA 3: Community Engagement and Special Projects (10%)
KRA 4: Social Media, Communications and Engagement (10%)
KRA 5: Department Administration and Coordination (5%)
KRA 6: Other Duties (5%)

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Marketing, Education, Communications, Career Development, Management, or a related field.
• Desirable: A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is desirable.
• Professional experience or demonstrated knowledge in internship/work experience coordination, industry engagement, employer relations, career services, or work-integrated learning is required.
• Training or certification in career development, internship/work-integrated learning, employer engagement, partnership development, human resources, project management, or a related area is desirable.

Work Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, industry relations, career services, alumni relations, communications, social media, event management, business development, or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience in internship/work experience coordination, employer engagement, industry relations, career services, or work-integrated learning.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and maintaining relationships with employers, industry partners, professional organizations, or other external stakeholders.
• Experience in coordinating events, programs, projects, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience working in a higher education or student-focused environment is desirable.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building, networking, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in technology and AI tools, with expertise in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access.
• Ability to analyze and revise operating practices to improve efficiency.
• Superior organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and complete them in a timely manner.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced office environment.
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration and develop lasting partnerships.
• Strong problem-solving, coordination, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds.
• Knowledge of career development, employability, internship programs, work-integrated learning, and industry engagement.
• Knowledge of higher education systems, preferably the American model of higher education, is desirable.

Language Proficiency Required

Fluent in English and Arabic.

Working Relationships

Internal

AURAK Offices and Departments
Office of the President
Office of the Provost
Deans, Directors and Managers
Faculty
Staff
Students
Alumni

External

Private Businesses and Corporations
Local and Federal Government Entities
NGOs and Community Organizations
Industry Associations and Professional Bodies
Internship Providers and Potential Employers

Key Behaviors

Service Excellence
Professional Ethics and Integrity
Problem-solving
Time Management
Teamwork