Job Overview: Full Professor in Strategic Management

Zayed University (ZU) , a premier federal institution in the UAE, is seeking a distinguished academic for a faculty position in Strategic Management within the College of Business . As a Full Professor, you act as a “Strategic Architect,” responsible for the “Executive DNA” of future business leaders. This role is designed for a “Visionary Specialist” who can navigate the complexities of innovation management, social entrepreneurship, and organizational sustainability with “Analytical Accuracy.” You will be a vital engine of the college’s growth, ensuring that both undergraduate and graduate instruction scale with the “Pristine Standards” required for AACSB and EQUIS accreditation.

Key Information

Employer: Zayed University (ZU)
Location: Abu Dhabi & Dubai Campuses, United Arab Emirates
Rank: Full Professor (Assistant and Associate also considered)
Contract: Typically a 4-year renewable contract.
Accreditation: AACSB and EQUIS.
Focus: Strategic Management, Entrepreneurial Venture Creation, and Innovation.

Key Responsibilities

You will manage the “Strategic Lifecycle” of the college through a high-impact framework:

Pedagogical Orchestration: Teaching core courses in Strategic Management and electives like Entrepreneurial Venture Creation , Social Entrepreneurship , and Innovation Management .
Research Intelligence: Conducting high-quality academic research with output published in highly regarded journals (Scopus-listed and ABDC-ranked).
Collaborative Innovation: Partnering with existing faculty on projects involving accelerators, incubators, university technology transfer , and entrepreneurial family businesses .
Institutional Diplomacy: Actively engaging in various college and university committees to drive governance and strategic transformation.
Curriculum Architecture: Demonstrating excellence in course development to ensure curricula remain agile and relevant to the UAE’s diversified knowledge economy.

Candidate Requirements

Zayed University seeks a “Global Management Authority” with a focus on scholarly grit:

Academic Pedigree: A PhD with a specialization in Management from an AACSB or EQUIS accredited business school within a QS-ranked university .
Scholarly Stature: An impressive record of publications in Scopus-listed and ABDC-ranked journals (typically A* or A categories for Full Professor rank).
Instructional Mastery: Evidence of teaching excellence and experience in developing complex management curricula.
Leadership IQ: Proven experience in university service and committee leadership.
Operational Flexibility: Willingness to deliver a range of management courses across both major UAE campuses.

Salary and Benefits

This role offers a prestigious “Federal Faculty” rewards package in a tax-free environment:

Financial Integrity: A highly competitive tax-free salary (Estimated AED 45,000 – AED 60,000+ per month for Full Professor rank, based on experience).
Housing & Settling: Comprehensive housing allowance and a one-time furniture allowance.
Family Mobility: Annual vacation airline tickets for the employee and immediate family members.
Educational Security: Significant educational subsidies for children’s schooling in the UAE.
Health & Wellness: Comprehensive healthcare coverage provided to the employee and sponsored family members.

Market Context: Strategic Management in UAE 2026

In 2026, as the UAE advances its “Centennial 2071” plan, Strategic Management professors are the “Architects” of national economic diversification:

Focus Area	Core Competencies	Industry Alignment
Entrepreneurship	Venture Creation	SME & Start-up Ecosystems
Social Innovation	Sustainable Impact	NGO & CSR Sectors
Tech Transfer	Commercialization	R&D & Industry Hubs

Unique Job Description

Position: Professor of Strategic Management — Engineering the Future of Global Business

Are you a “Strategic Specialist” who believes that the success of a modern economy is built on the precision of its business models and the vision of its leaders? Zayed University is seeking a Full Professor of Strategic Management to join our dual-accredited College of Business . We don’t just “teach strategy”; We engineer the Decision-Making Frameworks and Entrepreneurial DNA that allow our students and the UAE business community to flourish in an increasingly digital and sustainable world. This is not a role for a “traditional lecturer”; it’s a mission for an “Intellectual Architect” —someone who can navigate the complexities of high-impact research and university technology transfer with “scholarly grit” and provide the polished leadership that a flagship federal university demands.

In this position, you are the pilot of our strategic mission. You will spend your semesters architecting the lectures, research programs, and innovation hubs that define our reputation for excellence. Whether you are using your technical mastery to publish in top-tier ABDC journals or utilizing your mentorship skills to guide a student’s social entrepreneurship venture, your “proactive mindset” and “excellence-first” attitude will be our greatest assets. You thrive in a collaborative environment where you are trusted to influence the nation’s diversified knowledge economy, challenged by emerging business models, and rewarded with a lucrative, tax-free career at the “University of the Future.”

We are looking for proactive scholars with a passion for strategic excellence and an “impact-first” mindset. If you have the “resourcefulness” to lead high-level research and the “discipline” to uphold our gold standards, Zayed University offers you a premier platform to reach your potential. Join us in the UAE, and let’s engineer a more extraordinary and connected future for the world of strategic management together.

Zayed University (ZU), Dubai

The Company

Founded in 1998 and named after the UAE’s Founding Father, Zayed University (ZU) is a flagship government-supported institution and a national leader in educational innovation. By 2026, it has solidified its position as a “Future-Ready Hub,” ranking #23 in the Arab region and maintaining a strong global presence in the QS World University Rankings (#=595). Originally established to empower Emirati women, the university has evolved into a co-educational powerhouse with a student population of over 7,900+. It is renowned for being the first federal university in the UAE to receive international accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (USA), a status recently reaffirmed through 2031.

Culture

The culture at Zayed University is defined by “Timeless Values and Digital Disruption.” It honors the legacy of Sheikh Zayed while aggressively pursuing 21st-century technological mastery. Key cultural pillars include:

“Uniquely ZU” Innovation: A culture that has moved away from traditional rote learning toward a development framework that earned the 2026 Gold Award from NASPA MENASA. Students track 18 core capabilities—like digital agility and emotional intelligence—on a unique skills-led co-curricular transcript.
National Pride & Global Outlook: A dual-spirit environment where local Emirati traditions are celebrated alongside a massive international faculty (ranked #10 globally for International Faculty Ratio).
Interdisciplinary Pure-Play: As of 2026, ZU has fully transitioned into an interdisciplinary higher education provider, mixing disciplines like political science with psychology to solve “unscripted” real-world problems.
Agility & Resilience: A strategic mandate to produce “Thinkers and Doers,” focusing on self-management and adaptability in the face of rapid AI-driven change.

Location

Zayed University’s Dubai campus is a marvel of modern, sustainable architecture located in the city’s primary academic corridor:

Main Campus: Situated in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), Al Ruwayyah, covering a vast 70-hectare site with a built-up area of 110,000 square meters.
Architectural Landmark: The campus is famous for its iconic undulating roof structure, designed to represent desert dunes and provide natural shade, housing state-of-the-art convention centers and auditoriums.
Climate-Sensitive Design: A unique aspect of the design allows students to navigate the entire campus without exposure to the heat. This is centered around a massive three-story atrium nestled between the library and academic wings, covered by a 10,000-square-meter tensile fabric structure.
Strategic Connectivity: Located near the intersection of Al Ain Road and Emirates Road, it serves as a central hub for students from across Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Zayed University: 2026 Academic & Strategic Matrix

Faculty Pillar	Core 2026 Focus Areas	Strategic Career Alignment
Interdisciplinary Studies	Computational Systems & Social Innovation.	Versatile roles in the “Gig Economy.”
Technological Innovation	Cyber Security & Digital Transformation.	Powering the UAE’s Digital Twin initiatives.
Business (AACSB)	Business Transformation & Entrepreneurship.	Aligned with Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Communication (ACEJMC)	Media Production & Strategic PR.	Leaders in the “Global Media Hub” vision.
Humanities & Social Sci.	Diplomacy & International Affairs.	Critical for UAE’s growing global diplomatic role.

2026 Professional DNA & Institutional Standards

Record Enrollment: For the 2025/2026 academic year, ZU welcomed its highest-ever intake of over 2,860 new students, reflecting its strengthening reputation and the success of its enhanced First Year Experience (FYE).
Research Intensity: Classified as “High” in research intensity, with 2026 grants supporting projects up to AED 150,000 in clusters like sustainability and AI ethics.
Placement & Career Catalyst: The university utilizes a “Partner Challenge Program” where students deliver real-world corporate projects starting in their first semester, ensuring they are “Wall Street ready” or startup-capable by graduation.
Flexible Working: Aligned with federal government standards, the university offers flexible working hour options (starting as early as 7:00 am) and a professional dress code that respects local cultural sensitivities.

To apply for this job please visit www.zu.ac.ae.