Russell Rein

Experience

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  Credit Guarantee Insurance Company (CGIC)

  Aug 1986 - Dec 1994

  Senior Manager, Portfolio Manager, Sales Manager, Training Coordinator, Underwriter

  CGIC is private company owned by public finance and insurance entities that offers domestic or export credit insurance cover to corporate trading clients. Part of 14 member senior executive responsible for 350 employees, leading a team of 3 managers and a division of over 50 staff. Accountable for bottom-line profitability in challenging industries of clothing, textiles, and building and construction. Selected Accomplishments:1. Varied abilities and diverse contributions to the organization recognized by regular promotions2. Accountable for top and bottom-line returns that exceeded performance results annually on turnover of US $15 million3. Formulated a strategic business plan to expand business into Africa and Indian Ocean countries4. Selected, mentored, counseled, and evaluated affirmative action (Emiratisation) candidates to develop managerial potential that resulting in an affirmative action appointee to my vacant position5. Facilitator for the CARE (Cultural Awareness Reaches Everybody) program in 19926. Chaired and initiated the ‘connectivity’ of CGIC moving it away from a paper base to electronic database organization in the late 1980’s7. Evaluated job functions using Peromnes to implement changes to job descriptions, company structure, and appropriate remuneration8. Procured and retained new customers exceeding growth targets by over 15% annually9. Served on the public relations committee charged with external communication10. Implemented and regulated the competitor strategy by collecting SWOT data11. Started the training department from scratch that covered soft and technical skills training12. Presented professional presentations to industry leaders to maintain an ideal corporate image in the eyes of clients Show less

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  Higher Colleges of Technology

  Oct 1997 - Apr 2006

  Head of Academic (Registrar) and Student Services, Chair of Business, Faculty

  Federally funded colleges admitting only Emirati’s and offering vocational credentials through a system of 14 decentralized campuses based on the North-American model. Worked at Sharjah Women’s College and Dubai Men’s College with student populations of about 1,900.Part of management team of 16 leading teams of up to 25 in growing organizations of up to 180 staff. As Head of Academic and Student Services accountable for Student Recruitment, Admissions and Registry, Student Affairs, and Institutional Effectiveness and Quality Assurance. As Chair of Business accountable to 400 students and 25 faculty for all academic related advising, counseling, and personal development. As Faculty taught classes of up to 20 students in fields of financial services, computer information processing, and business.Selected Accomplishments:1. Developed Business Administration program and curricula, ensuring scope and sequence2. Developed and implemented accreditation and quality assurance requirements for internal, SACS, and ACBSP accreditation3. Developed, tested and implemented an online grading system initially in Excel and then on an Oracle based Portal4. Placed over 700 students per annum in work experience/job placement opportunities 5. Ensured a graduate work placement rate of 82% by forging excellent relationships with public and private sector employers6. Team member that implemented and tested the upgrade of the Banner ERP system7. Served on the task force that recommended the introduction of Syllabus Plus, an online timetabling software compatible with Banner8. Executed a major four-day college-wide event, Mosaic 2004, visited by about 7,000 students and the community9. Wrote and edited student publications and other communication material10. Monitored the financial performance of fee-paying students and grew the revenue of the IELTS Testing Centre by 40% 11. Mentored at least 10 Emirati staff to take leadership positions within HCT and other organizations Show less

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  University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)

  May 2006 - Oct 2007

  Director of Administration

  One of the oldest UAE licensed, accredited and privately owned universities in Dubai, with Australian heritage that served 2,900 students from its facilities in Knowledge Village. Totally self-funding reliant on student fee income to provide an acceptable return to its shareholder.Part of 3 team executive responsible for 250 employees, leading a team of 11 managers and a division of over 110 staff. Accountable for Finance, Human Resources, International and Domestic Marketing and Student Recruitment, Admissions and Registrar, Student and Residential Services, Library Services, IT Services, and Facilities Management Services. Selected Accomplishments:1. Formulated the strategic framework and day-to-day operational requirements to complement academic offerings and to enhance student life2. Improved the corporate governance of UOWD with a student authentication logon process3. Designed HR systems to monitor casual staff budget overruns and trialed an online recruitment application now adopted by the group4. Top and bottom-line financial acumen that optimized the overall performance on turnover of US$ 30 million ensuring a consistent return in excess of 20% to the shareholder 5. Restructured the marketing department to include a sales function of student recruitment and conversion, increasing new student enrolment by over 15% year-on-year6. Launched a number of new holistic student development initiatives with a multicultural week, Iftar dinners, residential newsletter, and residence advisors7. Hired a new advertising agency with PR links that enhanced the frequency of exposure of UOWD, culminating in an article appearing in a newspaper every day for one-week8. Negotiated and oversaw the purchase and replacement of all 432 DELL desktops and laptops supported by a three year service agreement9. Acquired an additional 18% campus space for autumn 2007 and formulated requirements for campus expansion plans into Abu Dhabi and a local Dubai campus option Show less

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  Khadamat Facilities Management LLC (serving the UAEU above)

  Dec 2007 - Apr 2010

  Space/Scheduling Manager

  A PPP joint venture company formed primarily to operate the new AED 1.7 billion United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) Campus at Maqam in Al Ain. It combined the investment and development skills of Mubadala Development Company, which is 100% owned by the Abu Dhabi government and the facilities management skills of Serco, a leading global facilities management company.Part of the 5 team senior management responsible for 150 employees, leading a team of 7 managers. Accountable for the organization of space for 13,000 students, over 580 classrooms/labs, more than 1,000 faculty and instructors, and in the region of 180 College curricular, for the UAEU. Selected Accomplishments:1. Contributed to the strategic implementation and ramp-up of the Project2. Developed values that drive the corporate governance of Khadamat3. Created and monitored annual department budget, with valued cost savings4. Monitored agreed performance standards to mitigate their impact on the bottom line, achieving 100% of desired standards5. Developed annual operational plans to administer the scheduling office6. Played an active leadership role in the development and costing of additional soft service solutions through liaison with decision-makers within the UAEU7. Mentored the team to be a cohesive and effective unit to provide a superior experience that ‘delights’ the customer8. Liaised strategically with the UAEU’s Registrars Division and Information Technology Services, to ensure the acceptable delivery of space and scheduling solutions Show less

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  United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)

  May 2010 - Jun 2014

  Chief of Staff

  Chief of Staff to Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (Provost)The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), established in 1976, is the first and oldest government accredited comprehensive research-based institution, the Flagship of the Nation, with about 14,000 students and 3,000 staff. It is ranked # 370 in the 2012/2013 QS World University Rankings with its research ranked as number one in the GCC countries, number two in the Arab World, and ninth in the Muslim world. Part of the senior executive team responsible for the broader UAEU, leading a direct team of 12 staff. Accountable for providing leadership, direction, design, and implementation of the project management and academic administrative support functions necessary to enable the mission of the UAEU and Provost; across Academic Affairs, Finance & Administration, Human Resources, Student Affairs, Admissions & Registrar, Institutional Communication & Marketing, and Library.Selected Accomplishments:1. Active member of the Senior Executive Cabinet, Budget Committee, Procurement Committee, Compensation Committee, and Deans Group2. Chair of the Space & Safety Committee3. Significant contributions to strategic planning and institutional review and accreditation4. Managed a range of complex and diverse projects across multiple functions/departments5. Institutional budget preparation and equitable resource allocation6. Created a new culture of shared responsibility, participation, and contribution7. Facilitated recruitment of senior leadership of UAEU, of both an academic and administrative nature, with the appointment of Vice Provosts, Deans, and other senior positions8. High profile Commencement and Graduation Ceremonies, and a major UAEU Event, UAEU Education & Research, visited by prominent leaders of the community9. Increased presence of UAEU in the news, particularly online, directing the communication and marketing strategy and its tactical implementation Show less

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  American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP)

  Aug 2014 - Jan 2015

  Vice President of Finance and Administration

  The American University of Phnom Penh, admitting its first students in 2013, is the first and only American-style university in the country, providing a rigorous, principled, American-style educational opportunity to the youth of Cambodia. The goal is to offer a quality post-secondary educational option in Cambodia to the citizens of the Kingdom. Part of 3 team executive accountable for finance and budgeting, financial forecasting, facilities management, information technology, human resources, operations, student recruitment and admissions, registrar, and safety/security.Selected accomplishments:1. Developed 5 Year budget for educational start-up funding from World Bank.2. Initiated restructuring changes to focus on marketing and student recruitment. 3. Designed new campus aiming at 1,000 plus students.4. Drafted Institutional Handbooks and policies & procedures.5. Arranged and selected first external Auditor. 6. Increased online presence of AUPP, particularly on Facebook, the main social media forum. 7. Revised Vision, Mission, and Values leading to Strategic Plan. 8. Contributed to Cambodian Accreditation Authority and prepared AUPP accreditation documents.9. Amended HR employment contracts for consistency and equity. 10. Created seemless admissions and registrar processes. Show less

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  International Schools Group (ISG)

  Jan 2016 - Apr 2019

  Head Of Business Services

  ISG Jubail is one of six schools of the International Schools Group District, offering an American style international curriculum to around 750 students, now also offering the IB Diploma Program. ISG Jubail strives for academic excellence and aims at providing a dynamic educational experience that focuses on the whole child, including their social and emotional wellbeing. It lives its Mission: "We inspire innovation and compassionate action". Part of 4 team administration, leading a direct team of 11. Accountable for budgeting and finance, safety and security, transportation, accommodation, food services, facilities management, information technology, human resources, teaching and assessing business administration students, and other broad leadership roles in support of the Head of School/Principal. Selected accomplishments:1. Structured and monitored US$ 15 million budget to sustain effective use of funds and institutional longevity .2. Created transparent accommodation guidelines for international staff; with a 25% savings on accommodation units. 3. Lead for new school campus initiative aiming at 1,000 plus students; within a budget of US$ 24 million.4. Drafted Handbooks and Policies/Procedures for business services.5. Designed Google forms to facilitate business services requests. 6. Served on School Improvement Team leading to new ISG Jubail Strategic Plan. 7. Crafted responses to two Standards in support of Middle States Association Accreditation and reviewed accreditation documents.8. Initiated HR remuneration deliberations and employment negotiations. 9. Liaison between Saudi facilities security forces, Royal Commission security, and outsourced security guards.10. Introduced cafeteria food services. Show less

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  Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)

  May 2019 - now

  Vice President for Administration

  Established in 1959, AIT is an autonomous, international postgraduate institution that promotes technological change and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, through higher education, research and outreach. Faculty, researchers, employees, and students come from around 45 countries studying in the three Schools of Engineering and Technology; Environment, Resources, and Development; and Management. AIT has over 20,000 alumni that hold leadership positions in government, academia, business, and regional/international organizations in more than 100 countries around the world. Part of 4 team senior leadership of AIT accountable for the internal functions of finance, human resources, facilities, procurement, and the international school supporting the President's vision of I2E2S2.Selected accomplishments: 1. Saved 6.9mB per year for four service contracts and an additional 4.1mB in final year for total savings of 24.8mB over three years. 2. Increased profitability of AIT International School (AITIS) by streamlining staffing at a savings of 4.1mB over two years, and held virtual graduation ceremony during C-19, with the addition of software capacity for the invoicing and payment of fees online; with future plans to expand the School horizontally and vertically. 3. Streamlined employee services through revised contracts of employment, a new employee guide and FAQ, a structured on-boarding process with mentors, and automated leave system, and an online timesheet process. 4. Introduced a new an online performance review system to prepare for future pay reform. 5. Provided students with expert professional counseling services, a caring self-minded approach, and formal protocols to deal with student needs/cases. 6. To promote the health and well-being of employees, facilitated influenza flu vaccinations and general health check-up for AIT employees.7. Updated all Policies and Procedures, covering 73 articles, and over 600 pages). Show less