Director - Institutional Partnerships & Strategic Projects

Position Title : Associate Director / Director – Institutional Partnerships & Strategic Projects

Location : New Delhi

Reports To: Executive Director – Asia & Head of Regional Strategy, Acumen

About Acumen

Acumen is a global leader in higher education consulting with over 17 years of impact in India and beyond. We work with 100+ universities and government bodies worldwide, helping shape policy, strengthen institutional capacity, and advance internationalisation.

Our partnerships include collaborations with Times Higher Education, the Association of Indian Universities, and NITI Aayog, reflecting our credibility and ability to convene diverse stakeholders. From designing frameworks for internationalisation to leading multi-country education missions, Acumen is at the forefront of reimagining higher education’s future.

This will play a transformative role in leveraging this global network to create value for Indian universities, institutions, and governments. The role will also drive new collaborations with international agencies, higher education stakeholders, and policymakers—turning relationships into innovative projects and impactful outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead Acumen’s engagement with Indian universities, institutions, state governments, and central ministries.
• Create new value from Acumen’s 100+ global partnerships, ensuring Indian institutions benefit from these collaborations.
• Represent Acumen at high-profile forums, summits, and international education missions.

2. Project Leadership & Innovation

• Design and deliver large-scale consulting projects spanning strategy, policy, and institutional transformation.
• Spearhead initiatives such as branch campuses, dual/joint degrees, rankings support, and institutional capacity building.
• Innovate new project models in partnership with international agencies and sector stakeholders.

3. Business Development & Growth

• Translate relationships into opportunities—building a pipeline of high-value, high-impact projects.
• Drive revenue growth through advisory services, global rankings support, events, student recruitment, and new service innovations.
• Position Acumen as the partner of choice for universities and governments seeking global engagement.

4. Policy & Advocacy

• Provide policy insights to advance India’s higher education internationalisation agenda.
• Advise governments and institutions on strategies, frameworks, and policies for global engagement.
• Contribute to sector-wide transformation by shaping thought leadership initiatives in collaboration with global organisations.

5. Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of project managers and associates.
• Collaborate with Acumen’s international offices to deliver integrated, cross-border initiatives.
• Elevate Acumen’s brand as a thought leader and trusted partner in higher education transformation.

Key Qualifications & Experience

• 15+ years in higher education, consulting, internationalisation, or policy advisory.
• Proven expertise in institutional partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and large-scale project management.
• Strong understanding of NEP 2020, Indian higher education reforms, and global transnational education trends.
• Track record of driving business development, revenue growth, and innovation.
• Confidence in engaging with senior government officials, policymakers, and university leadership.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary thinker with the ability to turn strategy into action.
• Skilled in navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments with diplomacy.
• Entrepreneurial, innovative, and proactive in seizing opportunities.
• Collaborative leader with cultural sensitivity and integrity.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership role—it is an opportunity to shape the future of India’s global higher education journey. As Director – Institutional Partnerships & Projects, you will harness Acumen’s global partnerships and credibility to:

• Expand India’s engagement with the world’s top universities and agencies.
• Design breakthrough initiatives that strengthen institutional capacity and policy frameworks.
• Create meaningful outcomes for students, governments, and education systems at scale.

If you want to lead innovation at the intersection of policy, partnerships, and education—and make a lasting impact on the future of higher education—this is the role for you.