Director - School of Liberal Studies

Job Description

Job Title: Director School of Liberal Studies Job Location: Bengaluru North, Karnataka, India Employment Type: Full-time | Senior Academic Leadership Role Position Overview: The Director of the School of Liberal Studies will serve as the academic and strategic leader responsible for shaping the Schools vision, fostering interdisciplinary learning, and advancing scholarly excellence. This role plays a critical part in promoting innovation in education, driving impactful research, and strengthening academic and industry collaborations. The Director will champion a progressive academic culture that prepares students for meaningful engagement in a dynamic global society. Job Summary: The Director will oversee the academic and administrative operations of the School of Liberal Studies. Key responsibilities include leading academic planning, enhancing curriculum quality, fostering a robust research environment, mentoring faculty, and driving student success. The role also involves building strategic partnerships across academia and industry, ensuring academic quality and regulatory compliance, and contributing to the institutions long-term vision. This is a senior academic leadership position requiring a proven track record in teaching, research, and academic innovation. Key Responsibilities: Leadership and Strategic Planning: Develop and articulate a compelling vision for the School aligned with the institutions mission and strategic goals. Lead the development and execution of academic strategies and plans to enhance institutional reputation and academic outcomes. Foster a culture of collaboration, academic innovation, and inclusive excellence. Academic Program Development and Enhancement: Oversee the design, review, and continual improvement of academic programs to ensure rigor, relevance, and interdisciplinary value. Encourage innovative pedagogical practices that enhance student learning and engagement. Establish systems to evaluate academic outcomes and program effectiveness. Faculty Development and Academic Leadership: Mentor faculty in advancing their teaching, research, and scholarly impact. Promote professional development and provide academic leadership to build faculty capabilities. Advise on academic staffing plans, in collaboration with HR and institutional leadership. Research and Scholarship: Drive a culture of high-quality research and scholarship among faculty and students. Facilitate research collaborations with academic institutions, industry, government, and NGOs. Seek external research funding, lead grant writing efforts, and oversee project execution and delivery. Support publication efforts in reputed peer-reviewed journals and participation in conferences. Student Engagement and Success: Create an inclusive, intellectually stimulating environment that promotes student growth, inquiry, and achievement. Implement initiatives to improve student retention, success rates, and career readiness. Engage with student services, advisors, and support systems to enrich the student experience. Community Engagement and Industry Collaboration: Build and sustain partnerships with industry, government, NGOs, and academic institutions. Promote community-based projects, consulting assignments, and experiential learning opportunities. Represent the School at academic and professional forums to enhance its visibility and impact. Operational and Institutional Responsibilities: Ensure compliance with academic quality standards and regulatory requirements. Provide leadership in budgeting, resource planning, and infrastructure development. Participate in institutional committees and contribute to broader university governance and planning. Key Qualifications & Experience: Educational Background: Ph.D. in a relevant discipline within the Liberal Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences from a reputed and accredited institution. Preferably, graduation and post-graduation from nationally or internationally recognized universities. Academic and Professional Experience: Minimum 15 years of academic experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role such as Head of Department, Dean, or Director. Proven academic leadership in recognized universities or institutions. Extensive teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Successful track record in guiding research scholars (Ph.D./PG level). Research and Industry Engagement: Demonstrated record of scholarly research with publications in peer-reviewed journals. Experience in securing research grants and managing externally funded projects. Strong engagement with industry through consulting, live projects, curriculum input, or partnerships. Active professional and academic networks with national and international reach. Other Attributes: Visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and collaborative management style. Strong communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Commitment to diversity, equity, and academic integrity. Ability to drive innovation and bridge the gap between academia and industry.