Job Title

JOB DESCRIPTIONWhat if you could build a university from first principles? Not reform an existing institution. Not work within inherited constraints. But genuinely reimagine what higher education looks like when you start with a simple question: What does it take to develop the creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs the 21st century needs?We are seeking an exceptional academic leader to serve as Vice Chancellor—someone who will not just administer, but build. Someone ready to create an institution that matters.About UDITUDIT is India's first university built around convergence—not silos. Built on the foundation of IIAD (the Indian Institute of Art and Design), which has spent a decade pioneering studio-based design education in India, UDIT extends that model across three schools: Design, Technology, and Management.At UDIT, design students learn to code, technology students start with design thinking, and management students build ventures—not just analyze case studies. Everyone learns through making, in studios and workshops, not just lecture halls.Your RoleAs Vice Chancellor, you will:- Provide overall academic leadership for the university, championing UDIT's distinctive educational philosophy and ensuring excellence across all three schools - Build world-class Schools of Management and Technology from the ground up, recruiting exceptional faculty, designing distinctive curricula, and establishing industry partnerships - Lead UDIT to national and international recognition by developing and executing the accreditation strategy that positions UDIT for top-tier rankings across NAAC, NIRF, NBA, and relevant international frameworksKey Responsibilities- Establish the School of Management with focused programs in Technology Business Management, Fashion Business and Luxury Management - Establish the School of Technology with B.Tech and M.Tech in Computer Science and Design, including specializations in creative technology, product design & engineering, and sustainable technology - Develop comprehensive accreditation strategy and achieve top-tier national rankings - Build culture, processes, and systems that allow innovation and rigor to coexist - Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and maker-centered learning across all programsRequired Qualifications- Ph.D. or terminal degree with 15+ years in academia, including 7-10 years in senior leadership (Dean, Director, Provost, or equivalent) - Deep disciplinary expertise in higher education—you have built or led institutions and can hold your own with the best scholars in your field - But you're not confined by disciplinary boundaries—you understand that management draws on design thinking, technological capability, and systems understanding - Mastery of Indian accreditation systems (NAAC, NIRF, NBA) with demonstrated success achieving high institutional rankings - Strategic builder who has established programs, recruited outstanding faculty, and created academic cultures from inception to excellence - Strong networks in industry and academia, particularly in technology and management sectorsDesired Qualifications- Lived convergence—you've taught across disciplines, collaborated with colleagues outside your field, or led initiatives that required learning new domains - Creator's track record—you've built programs, started initiatives, or launched ventures that required making something from nothing - Experience at the intersection of design, technology, and management domains - Track record in entrepreneurship, innovation centers, or technology commercialization - International academic or professional experience - Experience with international accreditation bodies (AACSB, ABET, or equivalent)What Makes This Different- Resources and mandate: Institutional backing and autonomy to build, not just manage - Proven foundation: IIAD's decade of excellence in design education provides credibility and a tested model - Perfect timing: India's creative economy is growing, and technology companies need product-minded talent - Meaningful impact: Create an institution that demonstrates a new model for higher education in IndiaThe Right Fit: Depth, Convergence, and a Creator's MindsetWe need someone with genuine disciplinary mastery in their own field — deep enough to command respect, to understand excellence. And someone who has proven they can work beyond those boundaries.You should believe:- The future belongs to creators who can imagine, build, and lead - The most important innovations emerge at intersections of disciplines, not within silos - Learning happens through making, not just studying - Universities should prepare students to shape the future, not just fit into existing structuresAnd you should have evidence of a creator's mindset:- You've built academic programs that redefined what was possible - You've collaborated meaningfully across disciplines—not as a consultant, but as a co-creator - You've created initiatives, centers, or ventures that required making something from nothingMost academic leadership roles ask you to manage what exists. This one asks you to create what should exist.If you're ready to build the university India needs, let's talk.HOW TO APPLYTo apply, please submit:- Cover letter addressing: Why this opportunity? Why now? What would you build?(mandatory) - Your CV with complete publication list and leadership roles - Contact information for three professional referencesADDITIONAL INFORMATION- Reporting Structure: Day-to-day to the Founder and CEO; overall to the Board of Governors - Start Date: Flexible for the right candidate - Location : Sector 68, Gurugram, Haryana. - Relocation: Comprehensive support available for candidates based outside India