Academic Director - FinTech Institute

Giftgujarat; Gandhinagar; On-site; INR 1,463,076 - 2,417,256; Full time

Job summary

A premier Fintech Institute in Gandhinagar is seeking an Academic Director to lead and establish academic excellence. The role requires a distinguished individual with 15-20 years of experience in academia and proven institutional leadership. Responsibilities include academic strategy, fostering collaborations with universities and industries, overseeing faculty development, and ensuring compliance with governance standards. This positions the Institute as a policy platform and a hub for fintech education and research.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of academic experience required.
• Prior experience in a senior academic leadership role is essential.
• Strong research and publication record is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic academic and administrative leadership.
• Ensure global benchmarking and academic rigor.
• Establish partnerships with academic institutions.
• Drive industry engagement and collaboration.

Skills

Institution-building capability

Strategic vision

Interdisciplinary curriculum design

High standards of academic integrity

Industry collaboration

Education

PhD in Finance, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, or Data Science

Job description

Fintech | Contractual -Full-Time | On-Site

The FinTech Institute is being established as a premier centre of excellence in financial technology, digital finance, regulatory innovation, and applied research. The Institute will integrate academia, industry, and policy to support India’s International Financial Services Centre ecosystem and position itself as a globally benchmarked hub for fintech education and thought leadership

Position Summary

The Academic Director will provide strategic, academic, and administrative leadership to establish and scale the FinTech Institute. The role requires a distinguished academic leader with significant institutional leadership experience and the ability to build strong collaborations with leading universities and industry stakeholders.

The Director will be responsible for academic excellence, institutional partnerships, faculty development, research growth, and industry engagement.

Minimum years of experience

15-20 Years

Contractual Period

3 Years

No. of Post

1

Pay Band

• Commensurate with qualifications and experience. (in the pay-scale of Rs.1,31,100-2,16,600 as per 7th CPC)

Eligibility Criteria

• PhD from a reputed institution in Finance, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related discipline.
• Minimum 15–20 years of academic experience.
• Prior experience in a senior academic leadership role (Dean, Director, Head of School, Centre Director, or equivalent) or in driving Executive Education.

Strong research and publication record with national or international recognition.

• Demonstrated expertise in fintech, digital finance, AI/ML in finance, or financial markets.
• Experience in establishing or scaling academic institutions or new programs.
• International exposure in academia or research.
• Proven track record of industry collaboration and funded research.

Skills

• Institution-building capability.
• Strategic vision and execution focus.
• Ability to operate at the intersection of academia, industry, and public policy.
• High standards of academic integrity and governance.

Role Descriptions

1. Academic Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and articulate the academic vision and long-term strategy for the Institute in consultation with the Operating partners.
• Ensure global benchmarking, academic rigor, and interdisciplinary curriculum design.

Establish research priorities in areas such as digital banking, AI in finance, blockchain, financial engineering, RegTech, and data analytics.

2. Institutional Collaboration

• Serve as the primary liaison with:
  • IIT Gandhinagar
  • Ahmedabad University
• Develop joint academic programs, collaborative research initiatives, faculty exchanges, and innovation labs.

Build national and international academic partnerships.

3. Industry & Ecosystem Engagement

• Create structured engagement models with fintech firms, financial institutions, exchanges, and startups.
• Develop industry-sponsored research chairs, labs, and centres.
• Facilitate internships, placements, and executive education programs.

Position the Institute as a policy and thought leadership platform for regulators and industry bodies.

4. Administration & Governance

• Advise the operators in faculty recruitment, mentoring, and performance management.
• Establish academic governance structures and quality assurance mechanisms.
• Oversee budgeting, funding strategies, and operational planning.

Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.