Academic Operations Lead

About Nxtwave: NxtWave was founded by Rahul Attuluri (ex-Amazon, IIIT Hyderabad), Sashank Reddy (IIT Bombay), and Anupam Pedarla (IIT Kharagpur). In February 2023, NxtWave raised ₹275 crore, led by Greater Pacific Capital, a leading international private equity firm . The startup is also backed by Orios Ventures, Better Capital, and marquee angels, including the founders of some of India's unicorns. NxtWave is one of India's fastest-growing Ed-Tech startups , revolutionizing the 21st-century job market by transforming youth into highly skilled tech professionals irrespective of their educational background with its CCBP 4.0 programs. As an official partner for NSDC under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and recognized by NASSCOM, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and Startup India, NxtWave has earned a reputation for excellence. The startup has received accolades such as 'The Greatest Brand in Education' in a research-based listing by URS Media, a leading international media house. NxtWave has also been honored with the "Startup Spotlight Award 2023" by T-Hub on its 8th Foundation Day. Recently, NxtWave's founders, Anupam Pedarla and Sashank Gujjula, were honored in the 2024 Forbes India 30 Under 30 for their exceptional contribution to transforming the tech education landscape in India. The edtech brand eliminates the entry barrier to learning tech skills by offering vernacular content and interactive learning. Learning in one's mother tongue helps achieve higher comprehension, deeper attention, longer retention, and greater outcomes. Presently, NxtWave has paid subscribers from 647+ districts across India. In just 2.5 years, CCBP 4.0 learners have been hired by 1750+ companies , including Google, Amazon, Nvidia, Goldman Sachs, Oracle, Deloitte, and more. Know more about NxtWave: Map curriculum outcomes to NSQF levels (4–7) , qualification packs , and job-role frameworks for national validity. Establish and maintain compliance checklists, internal audits, and monitoring mechanisms for zero deviation. Job Summary: As VP – Academic Operations & Compliance , you will play a central role in driving university integrations, BOS approvals, and academic governance for NxtWave’s programs across India. You will lead regulatory and academic operations — ensuring seamless alignment with AICTE, UGC, NAAC, NCVET, and NASSCOM frameworks — and oversee the end-to-end academic approval lifecycle for university collaborations. This position demands strategic acumen, policy fluency, and the ability to manage cross-functional operations, connecting academic rigor with technological innovation. Roles & Responsibilities: 1. Regulatory Compliance & Alignment Ensure all NxtWave programs and curricula comply with AICTE, UGC, NAAC, NCVET, NSDC, and NHEQF standards. Lead alignment with platforms such as SWAYAM Plus , NEAT , Future Skills , and B.Voc programs for credit and skill recognition. 2. Academic Approvals & Governance Drive the end-to-end BOS approval lifecycle — from HOD and Dean discussions to Board of Studies and Academic Council approvals. Secure approvals by aligning credits, structure, and learning outcomes with university frameworks. Negotiate and finalize academic credit mapping, bridging NxtWave curriculum with university degree requirements. Maintain a governance calendar ensuring timely submissions, proactive follow-ups, and audit readiness. 3. Curriculum Deployment & Operations Oversee curriculum deployment across LMS, campus portals, and university systems. Manage packaging and documentation: program components, calendars, implementation guides, and faculty briefs. Monitor delivery effectiveness and coordinate academic feedback cycles for continuous improvement. Lead repackaging, version control, and content redistribution across cohorts to maintain consistency. 4. National Framework & Accreditation Management Manage NASSCOM QP/NOS approval processes, coordinating with NSDC , NCVET , and AICTE . Prepare documentation for competency mapping, assessment frameworks, and job-role alignment. Lead proposals and listings on SWAYAM Plus , NEAT , and Future Skills platforms. Drive accreditation efforts across NAAC , NBA , and other regulatory agencies to maintain institutional credibility. 5. Credit & Course Recognition Secure credit recognition and credit transfer pathways for NxtWave’s programs within partner universities. Align course structures to meet contact-hour and grading eligibility under CBCS/OBE models. Expand credit-linked integration models to new partner universities across India. 6. Strategic Academic Leadership Serve as the internal expert on evolving academic policies, government frameworks, and accreditation standards. Provide regulatory insights and risk assessments to inform new product launches and partnerships. Represent NxtWave in government, academic, and regulatory forums to strengthen institutional relationships. 7. Process Excellence & Quality Assurance Design scalable SOPs and automated workflows for regulatory operations. Standardize documentation templates, approval trackers, and dashboards. Reduce approval turnaround time through data-driven optimization and proactive issue resolution. 8. Team Leadership & Collaboration Lead and mentor a cross-functional academic operations team handling compliance, approvals, and university coordination. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders — Curriculum, Partnerships, Legal, and Product teams. Build and sustain strong external relationships with universities, ministries, and accreditation bodies . Conduct training sessions on governance protocols and compliance best practices. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science Engineering. 8–15 years of experience in academic operations, regulatory affairs, or higher education governance Deep understanding of AICTE, UGC, NAAC, NCVET, NSQF, and NHEQF frameworks Proven track record in university BOS approvals , credit negotiations, and academic documentation Strong communication, documentation, and negotiation skills Demonstrated success managing relationships with universities and government bodies Preferred Qualifications PhD/M.Phil/MBA from a reputed institution Experience in EdTech-academic integration , accreditation processes, and policy advisory roles Familiarity with technology-driven curricula in AI/ML, Data Science, and Full Stack Development Job Overview Location: Hyderabad Job Type: Full-Time Work Mode: Office Working Days: 6-Day Week Compensation: Competitive, based on skills and experience