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Job Description
Department: Center of Continuing Education
Reports to: Vice President of Academic Affairs
Scope and Purpose:
The Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) is a strategic leadership role responsible for expanding the center’s impact through high-quality professional training programs targeted at individuals, corporations, and government entities. The Director will lead the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of executive and vocational training initiatives aligned with global professional certification standards.
The successful candidate will oversee strategic planning, partnership development, and program innovation to respond to evolving industry needs across sectors such as education, financial services, marketing, human resources, hospitality, and food & beverage, as well as additional fields aligned with current market demands and national upskilling initiatives. This includes but is not limited to technology and digital transformation, healthcare and medical services, logistics and supply chain management, government administration, entrepreneurship and business development, sustainability practices, leadership and project management, and customer service excellence.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Develop and execute the CCE’s strategic plan to ensure relevance, growth, and sustainability.
- Lead the design and expansion of training programs that respond to evolving market trends, including industry-specific and cross-sector professional development offerings.
- Align CCE operations with international standards and qualifications frameworks (e.g., CFA, CISI, ACCA, PMP, CIPD, Lean Six Sigma, SHRM, hospitality certifications).
Program Development & Quality Assurance
- Design and manage specialized training programs tailored to corporate clients, government agencies, and individual professionals.
- Oversee curriculum design, instructor recruitment, and continuous improvement of program content.
- Integrate practical, industry-led learning approaches focused on employability, leadership development, and technical upskilling.
Industry & Community Engagement
- Establish and maintain partnerships with corporations, government entities, professional bodies, and certification providers.
- Represent the CCE in executive meetings, industry forums, and community initiatives to enhance visibility and engagement.
- Promote the centre’s training services to key stakeholders, supporting workforce development and lifelong learning initiatives.
Operational & Financial Management
- Manage program budgets, pricing frameworks, cost-efficiency models, and performance reporting mechanisms.
- Lead program impact assessments using KPIs such as enrolment, completion rates, customer satisfaction, and stakeholder ROI.
- Drive revenue growth through corporate training contracts, executive workshops, and accredited development pathways.
Team Leadership & Performance
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- Lead and develop a high-performing team of trainers, program coordinators, and business development personnel.
- Promote a culture of innovation, service excellence, and continuous improvement within the centre.
- Ensure compliance with institutional policies and client service standards.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Proven leadership experience in executive education, vocational training, or professional development.
- Demonstrated success in designing and delivering high-impact training programs for organizations and professionals.
- Expertise in strategic planning, partnership management, and business expansion.
- Strong understanding of professional development requirements across multiple industries.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement and alignment with certification or regulatory standards.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
Key Competencies
Strategic Visioning
- Ability to position the CCE as a regional leader in professional development and continuing education.
Program Innovation
- Skilled in designing market-driven learning solutions aligned with industry needs and certification standards.
Industry Engagement
- Strong track record of building partnerships with corporate, governmental, and community stakeholders.
Financial & Performance Management
- Capable of managing budgets, monitoring KPIs, and ensuring program profitability and growth.
Leadership & Team Development
- Ability to lead diverse teams and support instructor engagement and development.
Quality Assurance & Certification Alignment
- Knowledgeable in aligning training outcomes with international standards.
Performance Indicators
- Growth in program offerings and participant enrolments.
- Client satisfaction and repeat engagement levels.
- Certification success and international accreditation ratings.
- Financial performance and contribution to CCE sustainability.
- Strategic partnerships established and nurtured.
- Responsiveness to evolving industry and educational trends.
Reporting Line
This position reports directly to the Vice President of Academic Affairs at the American University of Kuwait (AUK).
Job Details
Preferred Candidate
Careers at American University of Kuwait
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and coeducational liberal arts institution of higher education. The educational, cultural, and administrative structure, methods and standards of AUK are based on the American model of higher learning. The language of instruction is English.
Established by Amiri Decree 139 in 2003, AUK received its Institutional Accreditation from the Private Universities Council (PUC) – Ministry of Higher Education in the State of Kuwait, as of February 1, 2006.
AUK offers students a quality education based on an American college model. The faculty, administration, and staff work hard to create a caring environment where every aspect of the student’s development gets attention and support. The course of study is designed to prepare students for the contemporary world where critical thinking, communication skills, and life-long learning have become imperative. The Liberal Arts education system aims not only to guide the students to fulfill their educational goals, but to also instill effective critical thinking skills that they can apply in their future careers in the fields of their choice.
The AUK faculty is comprised of a highly qualified group of international academics experienced in the American style of higher education. There are over 123 faculty members at AUK, 92 percent of whom have earned PhDs or terminal degrees. With most class sizes ranging from 17 to 24 students, developing bonds between students and professors is easy.
During their academic career at AUK, our students will be trained to improve their academic skills, time management skills, and learn stress reduction techniques. Our students will also find opportunities to gain professional experiences through our student employment program and internships, develop their creative talents and maintain their personal health and fitness through our extracurricular activities, and learn to become involved members of the community.