Dean - International Program & Global Partnership

Position Title: Dean - Undergraduate International Program & Global Partnerships

Location: Coimbatore, India (Firebird Institute of Research in Management - FIRM)

Program Focus: Transnational Education (TNE) (Foundation, Year 1 in India, Years 2 & 3/Final Year Abroad)

Initial Streams: Business Management and Accounting

1. Position Summary and Mission

The Dean of the Undergraduate International Program is a highly strategic and entrepreneurial academic leader responsible for establishing, managing, and scaling the institution's Transnational Education (TNE) initiatives. This pivotal role involves overseeing the academic and operational delivery of the one-year Foundation/Year 1 undergraduate study program in India, ensuring a seamless academic transition and credit recognition for student transfer to a consortium of globally reputed Partner Universities in the UK, USA, Australia, and other leading international destinations.

The Dean is accountable for achieving excellence in academic quality, operational compliance, and student success within this dual-phase education model. The position requires profound expertise in both Indian and international higher education frameworks, particularly the regulatory environment governing cross-border collaborations.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Strategic Leadership and Program Development

• Vision & Strategy: Develop and execute the long-term strategy for the International Program, positioning the institution as a premier hub for affordable, high-quality global undergraduate education in the region.
• Program Portfolio: Drive the successful launch and academic oversight of the initial streams—Business Management and Computing—and strategically plan the integration and expansion into STEM fields in future years.
• International Consortium: Lead efforts to build and manage a robust portfolio of collaborative agreements with multiple international universities across key regions (e.g., UK, USA, Australia), ensuring alignment on academic standards and progression pathways.
• Enrollment & Growth: Develop and oversee student recruitment and marketing strategies for the program, ensuring a consistent pipeline of high-calibre students who meet the academic and proficiency requirements for successful international transfer.

B. Academic Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Curriculum Management: Direct the design, review, and delivery of the Foundation/Year 1 curriculum in India. Ensure the curriculum is academically rigorous and fully articulated to meet the specific progression requirements and learning outcomes of all partner universities.
• Faculty & Staff Development: Recruit, mentor, and conduct performance evaluations for the program’s academic and administrative teams. Foster a culture of excellence in teaching, learning, and student support.
• Student Progression: Design and implement a robust academic monitoring and advising system to maximize student success in India and ensure high transfer rates (progression) to the international partner institutions.
• Quality Metrics: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for the TNE program, including student entry qualifications, academic performance, credit transfer success rates, and student satisfaction.

C. International Collaboration and Regulatory Compliance

• Compliance Leadership (India): Serve as the institutional expert on all regulatory matters concerning foreign academic collaborations. Ensure strict and continuous adherence to the guidelines and approval processes.
• Partnership Governance: Act as the primary institutional representative for all Partner University agreements. Lead joint academic boards/committees to finalize, maintain, and periodically renew all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Articulation Agreements.
• Risk Management: Proactively manage all operational and academic risks associated with cross-border education, including ensuring compliance with all international student visa and immigration requirements (e.g., SEVIS, UKVI), transfer policies, and quality assurance standards of the partner country.
• Financial & Legal Due Diligence: Ensure all partnership agreements include transparent, compliant, and sustainable financial models and legal clauses that protect the interests of the students and the institution.

D. Administrative and Financial Management

• Budget Oversight: Develop and manage the program's budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness for the institution while maintaining the highest quality of delivery and student experience.
• Student Services: Oversee essential student services tailored for international mobility, including English language preparation, cultural orientation, visa application guidance, and transition support.

3. Candidate Profile: Qualifications and Experience

Criteria

Details

Education

Ph.D./Doctorate from a recognized, globally reputed institution. Highly preferred education from international universities (UK, USA, Australia, etc.) is a significant advantage.

Experience

Minimum of 12 years of progressive academic and administrative leadership experience, with substantial time spent in both the Indian and International Higher Education sectors.

Specific Expertise

Proven track record in developing, launching, and managing Transnational Education (TNE) or International /Foundation programs. Demonstrated expertise in navigating Indian higher education compliance for foreign collaborations.

Leadership

Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to manage complex relationships with multiple international stakeholders and lead a diverse faculty/staff team.

Skills

Impeccable cross-cultural communication, negotiation, and strategic financial management skills.

4. Compensation

Salary will be the best in the higher educational industry, structured to attract and retain a candidate with the requisite international experience and strategic leadership capabilities for this critical role.

How to Apply / Get Connected

 Send your resume with contact details to:

[email protected] | �� +91 994315291

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From ₹70,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person