Academic Resources Manager

Position: Academic Resources Manager
Position Number: FAA050
Position Location: Doha, Qatar
Position Begins: Immediate Opening
Review of Applications begin: January 3, 2012 and continues until position is filled.

VCUQatar (www.qatar.vcu.edu) is the Qatar campus of the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 1998 through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, VCUQatar offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design, graphic design, interior design and painting & printmaking and a Master of Fine Arts degree in design studies. Located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, VCUQatar is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The current student body represents a diverse range of nationalities with students coming from more than 40 different countries.

VCUQatar strives to provide an engaged, learner-centered environment that fosters inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global setting. The university hosts the biennial international design conference Tasmeem Doha and supports the biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic Art Symposium, attracting globally recognized designers, academics and thinkers while fostering sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic and cultural vitality of Qatar. The university has substantial involvement with the emerging design industries in Qatar and is a significant catalyst for that growth. It has established itself as a center of excellence for education and research in art and design.

VCUQatar has 131 full-time faculty and staff and a student body of 249. VCUQatar was the first campus established in Education City, a unique 2500-acre campus community. Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Carnegie-Mellon University, Texas A&M University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Northwestern University, and HEC Paris have since joined the university.

Qatar is a liberal, hospitable and progressive country in the Arabian Gulf and remains one of the healthiest economies in the Gulf region. English is the standard second language and the population of Qatar is approximately 1.65 million and growing – 350,000 Qatari, the remainder expatriates. Doha offers all the conveniences found in a contemporary and cosmopolitan city, and also maintains a traditional Arab flavor, evident in the old markets and the city’s Islamic Arab architecture. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M.Pei opened in November 2008 and the Arab Museum of Modern Art (MATHAF) opened in 2010. The US Embassy considers Qatar among the safest countries in the world for Americans.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Academic Resources Manager is responsible for the VCUQatar bookstore, to include, ordering art/design materials, textbooks and supplies for undergraduate and graduate programs at VCUQatar.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manages the daily operations of the VCUQatar bookstore, to include, ordering textbooks, art/design materials and general merchandise;
  • Supervises bookstore staff; Researches publisher and vendor materials to determine availability, price, and shipment of book orders;
  • Communicates effectively with publisher and vendor representatives and works with the representatives to resolve order problems and process merchandise returns;
  • Works with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Chairs, Program Directors and faculty to coordinate timely delivery of course textbooks and materials each semester;
  • Manages the bookstore inventory, to include, ordering supplies to maintain inventory levels, performing periodic and annual inventory checks, and providing inventory reports for yearly audits;
  • Prepares purchase requisitions for bookstore materials using the eVA procurement system and processes bookstore invoices for payment using the Banner system;
  • Works with the VCUQatar Shipping and Receiving Coordinator to monitor shipment of bookstore materials;
  • Supervises and assists in the receiving, stocking and pricing of textbooks, art/design materials and general merchandise;
  • Responds to customer inquiries, investigates, and resolves customer disputes;
  • Maintains the appearance of the bookstore and determines display and layout of academic and retail merchandise;
  • Establishes a collaborative relationship with the home campus bookstore on the acquisition and sale of VCU logo merchandise at VCUQatar;
  • Participates and assists in the daily and long-range planning and coordination of the VCUQatar bookstore;
  • Works closely with the VCU Procurement and Payment office to interpret and apply university procurement policies and procedures;
  • Collaborates with the VCUQatar Liaison Officer to resolve customs related issues;
  • Builds and supports collaborative relationships with the intent of sharing information with VCU home campus;
  • Develops and implements procedures to ensure compliance with University policies;
  • Recommends process improvements for efficient and effective management of the bookstore;
  • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Knowledge and understanding of retail inventory techniques and merchandising strategies.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, organization and time management skills.
  • Strong ability to multi-task and work with tight deadlines.
  • Ability to work as a team in a customer service oriented environment.
  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or
    commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU and VCUQatar.

Preferred 

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or training or professional experience that equates to a bachelor’s degree.
  • Experience working with electronic procurement and payment systems.
  • Current knowledge of changes and trends in the bookstore/retail market.
  • Three years managerial experience in a college/university bookstore or art/design retail facility.

Benefits

  • Competitive international salary
  • Tax protection for U.S. Taxpayers
  • 30% Off-shore supplement to base salary
  • Medical Insurance (100% employer funded premium and employer cost shared options available)
  • Fully furnished villa or apartment including wireless internet
  • Annual travel allowance to home of record (to include a spouse and dependents relocated to Qatar)
  • Monthly transportation allowance
  • Educational reimbursement for up to 4 dependent children enrolled in an accredited K-12 program
  • International Professional Development and Research Opportunities

Application Process:
Qualified applicants who have a record of achievement appropriate to VCUQatar should submit a letter of interest with a curriculum vita and the names of five references including email and telephone contact information to Tomaree Porter (tlporter@vcu.edu), Human Resources Administrator, Qatar Support Office. Only Electronic submissions will be accepted.

 

 

Virginia Commonwealth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.