Announcement For the post of Principal Project Officer

This position is in the office of IIT Madras Global Research Foundation, which is a part of the office of Global Engagement at IIT Madras. The selected candidate would be reporting to the CEO, IIT Madras Global Research Foundation.

The office of IITM Global Research Foundation is responsible for enabling the resources of IIT Madras, namely, its education & research, Start-ups/Entrepreneurial ventures, IPs/Patents, etc., reach/scale to a global audience in friendly foreign countries through appropriate modes of engagement.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Principal Project Officer Academic Programs will lead the Academic Programs vertical as a Strategic Business Unit (SBU), responsible for designing, implementing, and scaling innovative academic offerings that align with the institutions vision of global excellence. The role involves academic leadership, business development, financial stewardship, and operational excellence to ensure the SBU achieves its academic, financial, and societal impact goals expected to fulfil the following functions: -

Academic Leadership & Program Development

• Drive the vision, strategy, and execution of academic programs across international undergraduate, postgraduate, executive education, Skilling/Upskilling, Certification, and online/hybrid formats.
• Lead curriculum innovation to ensure relevance to global standards, industry needs, and future skills.
• Build and maintain academic partnerships with leading institutions, accreditation bodies, and international collaborators.
• Ensure quality assurance, accreditation compliance, and continuous improvement across all programs.

Strategic & Business Management

• Own the P&L of the Academic Programs SBU, ensuring financial sustainability and growth.
• Develop business plans, pricing models, and revenue streams (degree programs, certifications, lifelong learning, global collaborations).
• Identify and launch new academic programs in response to market demand and emerging disciplines.
• Establish metrics to measure program performance, student success, and institutional impact.

Faculty & Talent Development

• Collaborate with Deans and Department Heads to attract, retain, and develop world-class Interdisciplinary Programs.
• Encourage faculty-industry collaborations, interdisciplinary teaching, and pedagogical innovation.
• Drive capacity-building for teaching excellence and digital learning.

Student-Centric Outcomes

• Ensure academic programs enhance student employability, entrepreneurship, and research readiness.
• Foster strong industry linkages for internships, projects, and career placements.
• Create pathways for student mobility, global immersion, and lifelong learning.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure alignment of academic programs with national regulations and global accreditation standards.
• Oversee program audits, evaluations, and rankings-related reporting.
• Champion ethics, transparency, and inclusivity in all operations.

Innovation & Globalization

• Build digital-first, flexible, and future-ready learning models (AI-enabled learning, micro-credentials, blended learning).
• Position the institution as a global hub for academic innovation and international programs.
• Drive collaborations with government, corporates, and global universities to expand program reach.

Important

If selected, must be able to join us within 30-45 days from the day of receiving the Offer letter.

Preferred Candidate Profile:

• Masters degree in Business Administration / Operations / Engineering.

Experience:

• At least 10-15 years of overall work experience after Masters degree.
• 5+ years of experience in higher education, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles. International exposure preferred.
• Strong track record in academic program design, accreditation, and scaling.
• Demonstrated business acumen and experience managing P&L in an academic or executive education context.
• Experience in building global collaborations and industry-academia linkages.

Mandatory Skills:

• Visionary leader with entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong ability to balance academic rigor with business sustainability.
• Excellent stakeholder management (faculty, students, regulators, industry, global partners).

Perks and Benifits:

Approx. Rs. 2,00,000/- p.m.

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.