Academic Department Director

At Inspire Institute of Sport, we are seeking a highly experienced and skilled individual to fill the role of Academic Head. This is an exceptional opportunity for someone who is passionate about education and has a proven track record in leadership and academic program management.

The Inspire Institute of Sport is a pioneering organization dedicated to cultivating champions in India with a focus on success at the Olympic Games. Our cutting-edge environment is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and sports science, and we have some of the finest coaching minds from across the world guiding our athletes towards the Indian Olympic dream.

To position India at the forefront of Olympic and Paralympic sports, we strive to create a legacy of champions through exemplary dedication to sports and para-sports excellence.

We aim to develop and sustain a nationwide network of world-class high-performance centres and development programs across multiple sports, including dedicated support for para-athletes. Our goal is to provide holistic and interdisciplinary training environments that empower all athletes to maximize their potential and significantly contribute to India's Olympic and Para-Olympic medal achievements.

The Academic Head will be responsible for leading and advancing the academic department at Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), ensuring that all educational programs align with the institution's values, vision, and mission. This role demands a strategic thinker with a passion for education, strong problem-solving skills, and understanding of the Indian education system.

• Leadership and Strategic Direction:
  • Develop and implement academic strategies that align with the overarching goals of the institution, in collaboration with key stakeholders such as Leadership Management, Department Leads, Coaches, HR, and Administration.
  • Lead the academic department, driving its evolution to the next level, ensuring it aligns with the unique needs of student-athletes, overall vision, and strategic goals of IIS to balance academic and athletic commitments.
  • Lead and manage the academic department, providing guidance and support to faculty members, academic staff, and administrators.
  • Foster a collaborative and dynamic academic culture that encourages innovation and excellence.
  • Mentor and empower the academic team to achieve high standards of teaching, learning, and student engagement.
  • Create a positive and inclusive academic environment that enhances student motivation and educational growth.
• Stakeholder Management:
  • Act as the primary liaison between academic departments and key internal stakeholders, including HPD, Coaches, HR, CSR, Operations, Admin teams, and other relevant departments.
  • Facilitate open communication to ensure alignment between athletic and academic goals.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with coaches to monitor and support the academic progress of student-athletes.
  • Engage with stakeholders to gather feedback on academic programs, identify concerns, and address challenges, ensuring continuous improvement.
• Curriculum & Program Development:
  • Oversee the design and implementation of academic programs that are rigorous, relevant, and aligned with the needs of the boards, student-athletes, and Institute.
  • Ensure the curriculum is integrated with athletic training schedules, ensuring athletes are provided with the best possible educational experience while managing their time effectively.
  • Promote and ensure the well-being of students, balancing academic workload with athletic commitments.
• Academic Support & Student Success:
  • Ensure that academic support services, such as tutoring, counselling, and mentoring, are available to help student-athletes succeed both academically and personally.
  • Implement initiatives that support academic achievement and enhance the student-athlete experience.
• Data & Reporting:
  • Ensure accurate and timely data management for the academic department, tracking student performance, academic progress, and program outcomes.
  • Provide regular reports, presentations, to leadership regarding academic performance, challenges, and progress towards strategic goals.
  • Utilize data to inform decision-making and improve educational outcomes, ensuring data integrity and security.
• Operational Management:
  • Manage the day-to-day operations of the academic department, ensuring the efficient and effective running of academic programs and services.
  • Ensure athletes' academic schedules are optimized to balance training and competition schedules, avoiding conflicts while maintaining academic excellence.
  • Address and resolve operational challenges, ensuring that all academic activities and initiatives run smoothly and efficiently.
  • Implement solutions that remove obstacles and improve academic processes, enhancing the overall student experience.
• Compliance and Regulations:
  • Ensure the academic programs comply with all relevant education boards (national, international), regulations, and standards.
  • Adhere POCSO guidelines.
  • Work closely with HR, and legal teams to ensure that all academic activities and processes meet required standards and regulations.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making:
  • Proactively identify challenges and opportunities within the academic department and swiftly develop solutions to address them in the sports institute set up.
  • Maintain an unbiased approach in decision-making, ensuring fairness and equity in all academic and operational activities.
• Team Management:
  • Lead and manage the academic team, ensuring staff members are motivated, organized, and aligned with department goals.
  • Foster a positive, inclusive work culture that encourages professional growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Handle team conflicts with a focus on resolution, maintaining a harmonious working environment and ensuring optimal performance.
• Continuous Improvement and Feedback:
  • Collect feedback from athletes, faculty, coaches, and other stakeholders to identify areas of improvement in academic programs.
  • Implement changes and improvements based on feedback, always striving to enhance the quality of education and overall student experience.
  • Ensure a structured approach to academic delivery, addressing concerns quickly and effectively.
• Diversity and Inclusivity:
  • Adept a diverse and inclusive approach to decision-making and team management, ensuring equal opportunities for all the students and stakeholders.
  • Promote fairness and inclusivity in all activities, avoiding any biases in academic or operational decisions.

• A minimum of 20 years of experience in the educational field, with a proven track record of leadership in academic program management, managing educational programs, and team.
• Strong understanding of the Indian education system, including experience with Indian educational boards and compliance requirements.
• Proven experience in managing educational programs within a sports environment, ideally working with student-athletes. Experience working in a sports-based academic environment is a plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills (both verbal and written), with the ability to effectively interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to challenges and decision-making.
• Ability to manage teams effectively, resolve conflicts, solve problems, manage projects, and implement effective solutions and ensuring smooth operations.
• Passion for continuous improvement, education, and student development.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter.