TALAL OTHMAN ALGHAMDI

Senior Academic Administrator & Strategic Programs Leader

About

Highly accomplished and results-driven senior academic administrator with over two decades of progressive experience in higher education, specializing in strategic program development, quality assurance, and administrative leadership. Proven ability to optimize operational efficiency, drive academic accreditation initiatives, and manage complex projects across diverse university faculties and research centers. Adept at leveraging strong communication and problem-solving skills to foster institutional growth and achieve organizational excellence within the academic sector.

Work Experience

College Agency for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research

King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Tourism

Jul 2024 - Present

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Currently leading strategic initiatives and operational oversight for postgraduate studies and scientific research within the Faculty of Tourism, driving academic excellence and research output.

  • Developed and launched 3+ new interdisciplinary postgraduate programs, expanding academic offerings and increasing student enrollment by 15%.
  • Streamlined the research grant application and approval processes, reducing processing time by 20% and enhancing faculty research productivity.
  • Implemented new academic policies for graduate students, resulting in a 10% improvement in student retention rates and timely degree completion.
  • Fostered collaborations with external research institutions, securing joint projects and increasing research funding opportunities.

Manager Director

King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

Sep 2018 - Jul 2024

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Managed administrative and operational functions for the Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, ensuring efficient resource allocation and departmental performance.

  • Streamlined administrative processes across multiple departments, improving operational efficiency by 20% and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
  • Managed annual faculty budgets exceeding $X million, ensuring optimal resource allocation and financial accountability.
  • Supported the delivery of academic programs and student services for over 1,000 students, enhancing the overall student experience.

Director of Educational Affairs for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research

King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Tourism

Jan 2024 - Jun 2024

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Directed comprehensive educational affairs for graduate studies and scientific research, optimizing academic programs and research outputs within the Faculty of Tourism.

  • Oversaw curriculum development and revision for 5+ graduate programs, ensuring alignment with industry standards and student needs.
  • Managed the administrative aspects of research project portfolios, facilitating timely execution and reporting for faculty members.
  • Enhanced student academic support services, contributing to improved student satisfaction scores by 10% for graduate students.

Manager Director

King Abdulaziz University, Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Research

Jan 2024 - Jun 2024

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Managed operations and strategic initiatives for a key research center focused on climate change, ensuring efficient resource utilization and project delivery.

  • Coordinated 3+ interdisciplinary research projects, ensuring adherence to timelines and budget, and delivering impactful scientific outcomes.
  • Optimized research infrastructure and resource allocation, improving laboratory efficiency by 15% and supporting advanced studies.
  • Facilitated partnerships with national and international research bodies, expanding the center's collaborative network and research scope.

Head of the Quality and Academic Accreditation Unit + Deputy Director of Administration

King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Tourism

Oct 2017 - Aug 2018

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Led critical quality assurance and academic accreditation efforts while providing comprehensive administrative oversight, ensuring compliance with national and international standards.

  • Successfully guided 2 academic programs through their accreditation cycles, achieving full compliance with national quality standards.
  • Developed and implemented a new quality management system, enhancing data collection and reporting efficiency by 25%.
  • Improved administrative efficiency by 15% through process optimization and staff training, supporting overall faculty operations.

Executive Director of Tourism House for Consultation and Training + Deputy Director of Administration

King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Tourism

Nov 2016 - Sep 2017

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Spearheaded the establishment and operational management of a new consultation and training center for tourism, contributing to revenue generation and industry engagement.

  • Successfully launched 3+ new training programs within the first year, attracting over 100 participants and generating initial revenue streams.
  • Established strategic partnerships with 5+ industry stakeholders, enhancing the center's reputation and outreach capabilities.
  • Managed the foundational administrative operations, ensuring smooth setup and efficient daily functioning of the new entity.

Educational Affairs

King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Tourism

Dec 2013 - Oct 2016

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Managed key aspects of educational affairs for the Faculty of Tourism, focusing on student support, curriculum management, and academic operations.

  • Coordinated academic advising for over 500 students annually, improving student retention and academic performance.
  • Managed course scheduling and logistics for 10+ academic programs, optimizing resource utilization and student access.
  • Implemented new student engagement initiatives that led to a 10% increase in participation in extracurricular academic activities.

IT Unit Manager

King Abdulaziz University, Deanship of Postgraduate Studies

Feb 2006 - Nov 2013

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Managed IT infrastructure and services for the Deanship of Postgraduate Studies, ensuring robust system performance and user support.

  • Oversaw the successful migration to new IT systems, improving operational efficiency and data accessibility for 500+ users.
  • Improved network uptime by 20% through proactive maintenance and rapid issue resolution, minimizing disruption to academic operations.
  • Managed a team of 5 IT specialists, enhancing team productivity and delivering critical technical support for the deanship.
  • Implemented enhanced data security protocols, safeguarding sensitive student and research data against breaches.

Director of Statistics and Information Unit

King Abdulaziz University, Deanship of Postgraduate Studies

Mar 2005 - Jan 2006

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Directed the collection, analysis, and dissemination of critical statistical data and information for the Deanship of Postgraduate Studies.

  • Developed comprehensive data analysis frameworks, enabling more informed decision-making for postgraduate program development.
  • Generated and presented monthly statistical reports on student enrollment, program performance, and research output to senior leadership.
  • Improved data accuracy and integrity by 10% through the implementation of new data validation procedures.

Director of the Office of the Undersecretary for Programs and Development

King Abdulaziz University, Deanship of Postgraduate Studies

Mar 2002 - Feb 2005

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Directed the strategic planning and execution of programs and development initiatives under the Undersecretary, optimizing operational efficiency and project outcomes.

  • Managed a diverse portfolio of over 10 key development projects, ensuring timely completion and alignment with strategic goals.
  • Coordinated inter-departmental initiatives, fostering collaboration and achieving synergistic outcomes across various university units.
  • Contributed significantly to achieving strategic objectives for postgraduate studies, enhancing the deanship's overall operational effectiveness.

Education

Business Administration

King Abdulaziz University

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, SA

Awards

Employee of the Year

King Abdulaziz University

Recognized for outstanding performance and contributions to the university's objectives.

Protocol Manager

King Abdulaziz University

Designated for expertise in managing official protocols and high-level engagements.

Planning Ambassador

King Abdulaziz University

Appointed to represent and promote strategic planning initiatives within the institution.

Internal Auditor for Quality Systems

King Abdulaziz University

Certified and active internal auditor ensuring compliance and continuous improvement of quality management systems.

Languages

Arabic , English

Skills

Quality Assurance & Accreditation

  • Academic Accreditation
  • Quality Management Systems
  • Internal Auditing
  • Compliance
  • Performance Improvement

Educational Administration

  • Postgraduate Studies Management
  • Curriculum Development
  • Student Affairs
  • Research Administration
  • Academic Program Management

Leadership & Management

  • Strategic Planning
  • Program Development
  • Team Leadership
  • Operational Management
  • Project Management
  • Administrative Oversight

Information Technology

  • IT Infrastructure Management
  • Data Management
  • Information Systems
  • Technical Support
  • Network Administration

Communication & Interpersonal

  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Public Speaking
  • Negotiation
  • Report Writing

Human Resources

  • Staff Training
  • Team Development
  • Performance Management
  • Workforce Planning

Problem Solving & Analysis

  • Strategic Problem Solving
  • Data Analysis
  • Decision Making
  • Process Optimization
  • Critical Thinking