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JOB DESCRIPTIONPosition Title: Associate Director – Academics (Education Programs)Location: MumbaiEmployment Type: Full-timeAbout the RoleWe are looking for an Associate Director – Academics to support the design, delivery, and academic governance of Doctorate in Business Administration (Education) programs.This role sits at the intersection of doctoral research, executive education, and large-scale program delivery, ensuring that Education programs meet university standards while remaining practically relevant for senior professionals.The role requires a strong grounding in research design, doctoral supervision, and academic operations, along with the ability to translate complex research frameworks into structured, scalable learning experiences.Program PortfolioYou will work across a portfolio of doctoral and research-driven programs, including:Education programs across specializations (AI, Strategy, Leadership, etc.)Executive doctoral tracks and research certificationsResearch methodology and dissertation pathwaysCapstone and thesis-driven programs in collaboration with global universitiesKey Responsibilities1. Academic Strategy and Program DesignSupport the design and structuring of Education programs aligned to university standardsTranslate doctoral-level learning outcomes into clear research journeys and deliverablesWork with university partners to design research-focused curricula (quant, qual, mixed methods)Ensure strong alignment between coursework, thesis progression, and final dissertation outcomes2. Research Quality and Academic GovernanceOperationalize academic rigor across topic selection, proposal development, and dissertation stagesBuild and implement frameworks for:Research feasibilityMethodological rigorData alignment and validityStandardize rubrics for:Topic approvalProposal defenseFinal dissertation evaluationDrive grader and supervisor calibration for consistent academic quality3. University Partnership and ComplianceAct as a key academic SPOC for Education-related coordination with university partnersEnsure all research processes comply with university policies and doctoral standardsSupport dissertation reviews, audits, and academic reportingTrack learner progression across key milestones (proposal, defense, submission)4. Thesis Supervision and SME ManagementManage onboarding and training of thesis supervisors, research mentors, and gradersCreate structured guidelines for:Dissertation supervisionFeedback frameworksEvaluation standardsConduct periodic calibration sessions to ensure consistency across supervisorsDefine hiring criteria for research-focused SMEs5. Teaching and Research EnablementFacilitate sessions on:Research design and methodologyLiterature reviews and academic writingData collection and analysis strategiesGuide learners in converting research into boardroom-relevant insights and applied outcomesSupport thesis supervision touchpoints and research clinicsEncourage publication and conference participation (where applicable)6. Content and Delivery ImprovementReview and enhance all research-related content (methodology, writing, analysis)Improve learner experience across the doctoral journey through:Structured templatesResearch playbooksMilestone-based guidanceWork with product and content teams to integrate AI-enabled research tools and workflowsBuild scalable systems for research tracking and evaluation7. Learner Success and ExperienceMonitor learner progress across key research milestonesIdentify risks in thesis completion (topic feasibility, data challenges, scope issues)Conduct cohort check-ins and research guidance sessionsImprove completion rates through structured interventions and support systemsRequired QualificationsEducationPhD in Management, Business, or a related field (Required)Strong exposure to research methodology (quantitative and qualitative)Prior academic teaching or doctoral supervision experience preferredExperience6–10 years of experience in academia, research, or EdTechExperience in:Doctoral program deliveryThesis supervision or research mentoringAcademic operations or program managementFamiliarity with university partnerships and academic complianceCore CompetenciesResearch and Academic ExpertiseResearch design (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods)Literature review and academic writing frameworksData collection strategies and feasibility assessmentDissertation structuring and evaluationProgram and Operational SkillsAcademic program design and structuringRubric creation and evaluation frameworksStakeholder management (universities, faculty, internal teams)Process design for scalable deliveryTools and Exposure (Preferred)Statistical tools (SPSS, R, Python – working familiarity)Academic databases and referencing toolsExposure to AI tools for research and writing augmentationPreferred QualificationsExperience working with doctoral programsPrior role as Assistant/Associate Professor or equivalentExperience in EdTech or online executive educationExposure to global academic standards and accreditation frameworks