Director | American University of Sharjah Enterprises

Background

American University of Sharjah Enterprises (AUSE) is a full owned subsidiary of the American University of Sharjah (AUS). The objective of AUSE is to develop sustainable sources of revenue for the University through a variety of commercial and investment ventures.

Position Summary   

The Director leads the strategic growth, commercialization, and expansion of AUSE, the commercial arm of the AUS. The role is responsible for originating, structuring, and executing high-value commercial partnerships, real estate developments, and scalable revenue platforms that support long-term institutional sustainability.

This role requires working closely with AUS leadership, external partners, developers, and investors to build scalable revenue streams aligned with institutional priorities and long-term strategy.

Job Responsibilities

• Define and lead AUSE’s long-term business development, commercialization and growth strategy across real estate, land monetization and other strategic commercial ventures.
• Identify, originate, and advance high-impact commercial opportunities that create sustainable, recurring revenue streams and long-term enterprise value.
• Drive diversification of AUSE’s commercial portfolio across real estate development, operating partnerships and scalable commercial platforms.
• Lead the origination, structuring, and execution of real estate development opportunities, including mixed-use developments, commercial assets, and strategic land partnerships.
• Lead the negotiations in structuring master development agreements, joint ventures, development management structures, and long-term concession or lease models.
• Build and manage relationships with partners, developers and respective government entities.
• Oversee the development of feasibility strategies, commercial business cases, and partnership frameworks to ensure long-term commercial viability and sustainability.
• Oversee commercial risk identification and mitigation across development projects and strategic ventures, ensuring appropriate governance, performance oversight, and protection of institutional interests.
• Provide strategic advisory input to AUS leadership on market opportunities, development trends, and commercial positioning.
• Lead cross-functional coordination across legal, finance, procurement, and operations to support transaction execution and successful commercial delivery.

Skills and Competencies      

• Strong commercial and strategic acumen with demonstrated ability to originate and execute complex partnerships and large-scale commercial initiatives.
• Deep understanding of real estate development, land commercialization, and partnership-based commercial models.
• Strong understanding of commercial risk, governance frameworks, and partnership structuring for joint ventures and strategic alliances.
• Experience working within structured governance environments, with exposure to Boards, investment committees, or senior executive decision-making forums.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to prepare technical documents, in both Arabic and English.
• Knowledge of financial regulations and governance best practices relevant to investments and non-profit organizations.​

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree preferred (MBA or equivalent).
• Minimum 12–15 years of UAE experience in business development, commercial strategy, real estate development, or strategic partnerships.

How to Apply

• Interested applicants should fill out the form.
• AUS alumni are encouraged to apply. Applicants who do not meet specified requirements will not be shortlisted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• AUS is an equal opportunity employer. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability or marital status. Opportunities for employment are based solely upon one’s qualifications.
• Priority to UAE Nationals