Senior Employability and Industry Relations Manager

About the Role

Senior Employability & Industry Relations Manager

• to strengthen our employer partnerships across the UAE and drive
• career outcomes for our students and graduates
• .
• This role sits at the intersection of
• talent acquisition, early careers recruitment, and higher education
• , making it ideal for professionals who have worked in:
• **Talent Acquisition leadership**
• **Early Careers / Campus Recruitment**
• **Employer partnerships within Higher Education**
• **Recruitment agencies specialising in graduate hiring**
• The successful candidate will play a key role in
• connecting international students with leading employers in the UAE
• , positioning GEDU as a trusted talent pipeline for industry.
• Working closely with the

Global Head of Employability & Employer Relations

GBS Dubai and GUC Ajman

Job Summary

• The Senior Employability and Industry Relations Manager will play a critical role in positioning GEDU UAE (GBS Dubai & GUC Ajman) as a trusted and forward-thinking educational brand within the UAE and will generate employment opportunities for students.
• The ideal candidate must demonstrate the ability to:
• Collaborate with and support the Global Head of Employability and Employer Relations to ensure local strategies in the UAE are aligned with GEDU’s global employability vision, fostering consistency, shared best practices, and scalable impact across the Group.
• Proactively build new, successful, and long-standing employer strategies and partnerships in a competitive and fast-evolving market that will lead to placements of our students. This requires going above and beyond to define and pitch GEDU’s value proposition to prospective employers and deliver a differentiated, high-impact service that sets GEDU students apart from competitors.
• Design and implement an innovative, future-focused student employability programme that equips students with the technical, professional, and interpersonal skills most valued by today’s employers. The programme must ensure that graduates are career-ready and able to compete in a dynamic global job market to secure employment.
• Develop and implement a structured alumni engagement programme that expands opportunities for networking, mentoring, and job placements in UAE, and across the GEDU student and alumni community, fostering long-term professional connections and career development pathways.
• In addition to these core responsibilities, the role leads the strategy, development, and execution of broader industry engagement initiatives that strengthen GEDU’s standing within the UAE’s business and education ecosystem.
• It will drive impactful collaborations with local industries, regulatory bodies (e.g., KHDA), government agencies, alumni networks, and affiliate universities to increase student employability, foster innovation, and secure mutually beneficial partnerships through MoUs, sponsorships, and placement opportunities.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience Required

• Deep understanding of the UAE business landscape, with a well-established professional network in sectors of national strategic importance.
• Knowledge of the Higher Education sector, Pearson qualification standards and KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority of Dubai).
• Proven ability to navigate and align academic offerings with KHDA frameworks and private sector needs.
• Demonstrated success in establishing and managing senior-level relationships across government, corporate, and education sectors in the UAE.
• Ability to represent the institution at national forums and shape collaborative agendas that respond to UAE employment and innovation goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience must include a combination of corporate (in-house) recruiting, specifically managing early careers programmes (e.g., internships, graduate schemes), and experience within a recruitment agency.
• Preference for experience in a student employability or career services function within the higher education setup.
• *The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.
• It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.*
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