Director – Academic Services

Job Title: Director – Academic Services and Registrar

Location: Mumbai, India

Department: Academic Services

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Employment Type: Full-time

About the University and the Role

Founded more than five centuries ago, the University of Aberdeen is a leading research institution that drives innovation and prepares students for future careers. It is ranked 2nd in Scotland and 12th in the UK in the 2025 Guardian University Guide, and is listed among the top 250 universities worldwide in the 2025 QS and Times Higher Education rankings.

The University of Aberdeen will open its Mumbai campus in Powai in September 2026. At launch, it will offer six programmes: four-year undergraduate degrees in Computing, Data Science, Economics, and Business Management, along with one-year master’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Business Administration.

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to head our admissions and outreach function. This is a pivotal role responsible for achieving student recruitment goals, shaping admissions strategy, and ensuring a seamless and inclusive admissions experience for prospective students across India and beyond.

About the Role

We are seeking a Director of Academic Services and Registrar to oversee the delivery of academic programmes and ensure an effective, consistent, and high-quality experience for students, staff, and other stakeholders. This role includes responsibility for registrar functions, academic standards, and quality, accreditation and regulatory compliance, student records management, and student conduct. As custodian of academic records and institutional policies, the Director/Head – Academic Services acts as the key liaison with regulatory bodies, legal counsel, and university stakeholders, including parents and guardians on academic matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Shape the overall learning journey and ensure a seamless, inclusive, high-quality academic experience for students and faculty.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Academic Services team that delivers consistent, professional support.
• Ensure academic programmes are planned and delivered in alignment with University strategy and regulatory/accreditation requirements.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring processes and services evolve to meet user needs.

Academic Administration:

• Oversee student registration, records, examinations, certification, and graduation.
• Ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and accuracy of academic records and institutional data.
• Oversee assessment, progression, and the conferment of awards.

Governance, Policy & Compliance:

• Serve as Secretary to statutory academic bodies, ensuring appropriate governance procedures.
• Ensure compliance with UGC, AICTE, NAAC, Government of India, data-protection regulations, and other relevant authorities.
• Maintain academic policies and risk registers; support internal/external audits and inspections.

Quality Assurance & Standards:

• Lead institutional academic quality assurance and effectiveness initiatives.
• Safeguard academic standards and support curriculum development, programme approval, monitoring, and external examiner management.

Student Conduct & Regulation:

• Oversee student conduct, academic integrity, fitness-to-practise, and academic appeals, ensuring fair and transparent processes.
• Monitor student compliance with academic requirements and address non-compliance.

Digital & Operational Management:

• Lead implementation and optimisation of academic systems and digital services to enable efficient, user-focused operations.
• Manage academic timetabling, classroom utilisation, and workload distribution.
• Use institutional data and feedback to drive evidence-based improvements.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement:

• Collaborate with academic leadership and operations to maintain coherence in planning, delivery, and improvement.
• Serve as the main academic contact for parents/guardians on sensitive queries, ensuring professionalism and confidentiality.
• Build internal and external networks to remain informed of sector developments and institutional opportunities.

Strategic Leadership & Representation:

• Support strategic planning, programme development, and representation before accreditation/regulatory bodies.
• Participate in or chair University committees and working groups as needed.

Key Competencies:

• Entrepreneurial Agility: Ability to build and scale new initiatives, fostering innovation and institutional growth.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to design and implement long‑term strategies aligned with University goals.

• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate diverse teams.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and external partners.

• Regulatory & Compliance Expertise: Knowledge of accreditation, quality assurance, and statutory requirements.

• Data‑Driven Decision‑Making: Strong analytical skills in using data to improve performance.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication; confident in public forums.

• Technology Proficiency: Ability to adopt and optimize systems such as CRM, LMS, and academic management platforms.

• Problem Solving: Strong critical thinking skills to address complex challenges.

• Student‑Centric Approach: Commitment to delivering excellent student experience.

• Planning & Organising: Ability to manage processes, timelines, and priorities effectively.

• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Track record of enhancing services and promoting best practices.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Education, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in academic services roles within high‑quality higher education institutions.
• Demonstrated expertise in academic programme management, university regulations, curriculum management, and accreditation processes with commitment to quality standards and positive student experience.