Student Counsellor

About RUARUA is a forward-thinking institution for cross-cultural arts education and creative innovation in the Middle East that fosters bold ideas that inspire progress and transform society by cultivating industry and academic collaboration and rethinking creative education, all while creating a space for global ideas to flourish in a culturally inspiring environment.Our VisionTo be an inspiring beacon of knowledge for future generations, integrating culture and arts, empowering students to discover passions and develop talents while fostering creativity and cultural exchange.Our MissionTo cultivate an innovative educational environment in culture and arts, delivering cutting-edge programs that foster cultural and artistic engagement, enriching both the Saudi and global communities.Our AspirationsThe leading cultural university across the Middle East and North Africa.Ranked among top 50 universities worldwide specializing in cultural education.A global hub for cultural education and knowledge exchange.Job PurposeRiyadh University of Arts (RUA) is seeking a compassionate, professionally qualified and student-centred Student Counsellor to join its Admissions, Registration and Student Affairs team.The Student Counsellor provides professional, confidential, student-centred counselling and wellbeing support to RUA students, helping them manage personal, emotional, social and academic challenges that may affect their wellbeing, learning, university experience and personal development.Working within Student Life and Experience, the Student Counsellor provides individual support and case management, contributes to preventative and proactive wellbeing initiatives, and helps create a university environment in which students feel safe and confident seeking support.Given RUA's focus on arts and cultural education, the role requires particular sensitivity to the experiences of students in creative disciplines, including performance pressure, critique and rejection, creative confidence, identity development, workload, collaboration, public performance and the emotional demands associated with creative practice.The role is developmental and preventative as well as responsive. The Student Counsellor is expected not only to support students experiencing difficulties, but also to contribute to programs that strengthen resilience, self-awareness, healthy relationships, independence and overall student wellbeing.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide confidential one-to-one counselling and wellbeing support to students.Assess student needs and provide appropriate counselling, support, follow-up and referral.Support students experiencing stress, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, interpersonal concerns, academic pressure and other wellbeing challenges.Maintain appropriate and confidential student case records in accordance with professional standards and university policies.Identify students requiring specialist psychological, psychiatric, medical or other professional support and facilitate appropriate referrals.Recognise and appropriately escalate safeguarding, crisis and high-risk cases.Develop and deliver proactive wellbeing workshops, awareness activities and self-guided resources.Support initiatives addressing mental-health awareness, resilience, stress management and healthy adjustment to university life.Contribute to programs addressing performance anxiety, creative pressure, perfectionism, confidence, critique and resilience among students in creative disciplines.Work collaboratively with other specialists and academic colleagues while maintaining appropriate student confidentiality.Contribute to identifying emerging student wellbeing needs and improving RUA's support services.Qualifications & ExperienceEssential:Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work or a closely related discipline.Relevant experience providing counselling, psychosocial support or wellbeing services.Experience working with young adults.Sound understanding of confidentiality, professional ethics, safeguarding and referral practices.Strong interpersonal, listening and communication skills.Cultural sensitivity and the ability to build trust with students from diverse backgrounds.Fluency in Arabic and strong professional English.Highly desirable:Appropriate professional qualification, licence or eligibility to practise therapeutic interventions and therapy.Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline.Experience working within a university or higher-education environment.Training or experience in crisis intervention or psychological first aid.Experience or interest in supporting students in arts, music, film, theatre, design, performance or other creative disciplines.The Person We Are Looking ForWe are looking for someone who is empathetic, approachable and professionally grounded, and who understands that effective university counselling is not only about responding when students are struggling.The successful candidate will help build a culture in which students feel comfortable seeking support early, develop greater resilience and independence, and have access to the resources they need to thrive personally, academically and creatively.Why joining RUARUA represents a platform for discovery, a space where talent is nurtured, and a gateway for Saudi art and culture to the world. We welcome you to join us on this exceptional journey. Together, we will shape the ambitious cultural future of the Kingdom and inspire the world.As the first of its kind in the MENA region, RUA serves as a center of creativity, knowledge, and innovation, contributing to shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s cultural ecosystem and creative economy, driving the growth of Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.