Community Engagement & Projects Lead

Job Purpose

KAUST’s Strategic National Advancement division (SNA) is seeking an ambitious Community

Engagement & Projects Lead to join SNA’s Social Responsibility (SR) team which helps local communities in the Kingdom thrive and rise with the national tide of innovation and development.

The Community Engagement & Projects Lead will be responsible for managing a portfolio of projects that focus on community and employee engagement, capacity building, and volunteerism. The ideal candidate should be experienced and passionate when it comes to leading impactful programs that not only further the university’s mission and objectives, but also help to make a difference in the communities it serves.

Major Responsibilities

Design and manage employee volunteer and community engagement programs to increase participation and advance the university’s image as a responsible entity in our local communities

Work closely with project sponsors, cross-functional teams across the university, and assigned project managers to plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for key initiatives, programs, events and campaigns.

Drive communication strategies and promote stories of impact using a wide range of partner and internal channels, including social media, events, videos, and internal and external websites.

Lead on the analysis of marketing data, including campaign results (ROI & KPIs), conversion rates, audience tracking and insights, and online traffic to improve future marketing strategies and campaigns

Establish and continue to build partnerships and meaningful relationships with the local surrounding communities such as schools, female groups, social associations, and key community members.

Translate the division’s goals, objectives and strategic plans into initiatives and evaluate their success while identifying areas for improvement, and produce program reports for senior management and stakeholders

Develop and implement project management methodologies, processes, and tools and deliver efficient and effective technological solutions to improve outcomes of key social responsibility initiatives

Work under the supervision of the Director of Social Responsibility; supervising and delegating job responsibilities to junior team members and overseeing that quality work is being completed and deadlines met

Perform other duties as assigned and required

Competencies

Ability to understand complex and multicultural environments and work effectively in both informal and highly formal settings   

Excellent strategic, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to foster clear and goal oriented exchanges with various audiences

Proven track record of using analysis, critical thinking skills, data and technology to solve problemsand create effective solutions

Strong project management, organizational and communicational skills and aptitude to manage multiple projects concurrently and accurately set and meet deadlines

Capacity to identify and engage with resources (grants, donors, foundations, etc.) that support program work

Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to supervise, motivate, support, and collaborate with different teams  

Excellent ability to delegate responsibilities while maintaining organizational control on the field

Experience exercising judgment and discretion when dealing with sensitive information

Fluency in English

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in human services, social impact design, development, marketing, social work, public policy or related field

Minimum of 8+ years’ experience working in a similar role  

Advanced knowledge of PR and CSR practices

Proven successful track record in program management

Experience in budget management and tracking

Experience exercising judgment and discretion when dealing with sensitive information

Experience working in higher education industry is desirable

Experience working in a global or matrixed organization