Northwestern University in Qatar (https://www.qatar.northwestern.edu/) (NU-Q) is a globally engaged institution located in Education City in Doha, Qatar, and one of three campuses of Northwestern University alongside Evanston and Chicago. Its mission is to educate students to become innovative, ethical, and impactful communicators and leaders who are prepared to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Drawn from more than 40 countries, NU-Q's diverse community of nearly 500 students thrives in a dynamic learning environment grounded in academic excellence, creativity, cross-cultural exchange, and experiential education. Through world-class programs in communication, journalism, and the liberal arts, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong partnerships throughout Qatar and the global media landscape, NU-Q provides an exceptional educational experience within one of the world's most distinctive higher education environments. As the institution continues to mature and strengthen its global reputation, NU-Q seeks a new Director for the Student Experience to help shape the next chapter of student life and development.
Reporting to Assistant Dean for the Student Experience, Alex Schultes, and serving as the leader of the student affairs team, the Director will provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive portfolio that includes student engagement, new student orientation, career services, international experiential education, student conduct, wellness, and mental health support. The Director will oversee a long-tenured team of student affairs professionals while collaborating closely with colleagues across NU-Q, Northwestern University, the Qatar Foundation, and Education City. This leader will be responsible for advancing a holistic student experience that complements the institution's academic rigor, strengthens student belonging and engagement, supports personal and professional development, and ensures students are equipped to thrive during their time at NU-Q and beyond graduation.
The next Director will join the university at an exciting moment of opportunity. NU-Q's students are among the most talented and globally diverse undergraduates in the world, and stakeholders have identified opportunities to further strengthen campus culture, increase student engagement, enhance collaboration across student-facing functions, and continue elevating the visibility and strategic influence of student affairs. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and student-centered leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence, brings a strong understanding of contemporary student development practices, and possesses the cultural intelligence and adaptability necessary to thrive in a highly international environment. They will play a critical role in ensuring that NU-Q's student experience reflects the same level of distinction, innovation, and global relevance that defines its academic mission.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications can be submitted through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal available at https://apptrkr.com/9893291. Applicants should submit, as separate documents, a CV or résumé and a letter of interest that addresses the themes outlined in the leadership profile. WittKieffer is assisting NU-Q in this search. For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 8, 2027.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., and Bronwen Bares Pelaez, Ph.D.
NU-QDirector@wittkieffer.com
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement (https://www.northwestern.edu/civil-rights-office/about/statements/non-discrimination-statement.html). Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process (https://www.northwestern.edu/equal-opportunity-access/accommodation/disability.html).
The material presented in this leadership profile should be relied on for informational purposes only. This material has been copied, compiled, or quoted in part from Northwestern University in Qatar documents and personal interviews and is believed to be reliable. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, the original source documents and factual situations govern.
