Dean - School of Design

GRAM HR Solutions.; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dean of the School of Design at the University will provide strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for the School, shaping academic strategy, fostering industry partnerships, and driving research and innovation. The role requires a visionary leader with extensive design education experience and a strong network in academia and the creative industries.

Responsibilities include accreditation, international collaborations, faculty development, and elevating student outcomes through

Qualifications

• Experience leading accredited design programmes.
• Strong track record in curriculum innovation and faculty development.
• Experience building industry partnerships and interdisciplinary initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term vision and strategic roadmap for the School of Design.
• Lead curriculum development aligned with global design trends and industry requirements.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty members; foster high-performance culture.
• Build strategic partnerships with design studios, tech firms, startups, and academic bodies.
• Oversee budgets, infrastructure, studios, and academic resources; ensure compliance with policies.
• Represent the School at national and international forums; develop collaborations.

Skills

Academic leadership

Curriculum innovation

Industry partnerships

Accreditation

Research leadership

Education

PhD in Design

Master's in Design

Bachelor's in Design/Architecture

Job description

Job Description – Dean, School of Design

About the University

The University is a progressive institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, research, and industry engagement. With a strong focus on creative education, technology, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary learning, the University aims to develop globally competent graduates equipped for the evolving design economy.

We are seeking an accomplished academic leader to head the School of Design and drive excellence across teaching, research, industry collaboration, innovation, and institutional growth.

Position Overview

The Dean – School of Design will provide strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for one of the University's flagship schools. The role requires a visionary leader with significant experience in design education, a strong understanding of emerging design disciplines, and an established network within academia and the creative industries.

The Dean will be responsible for shaping academic strategy, strengthening industry partnerships, enhancing research and innovation, attracting exceptional faculty and students, and positioning the School among India's leading design institutions. Successful design deans typically lead curriculum innovation, faculty development, research, and external partnerships while aligning academic strategy with institutional goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the long-term vision and strategic roadmap for the School of Design.
• Position the School among India's premier design institutions through innovation and academic excellence.
• Lead accreditation, rankings, international collaborations, and institutional development initiatives.
• Drive growth in student enrolments, research, executive education, and global partnerships.

Academic Leadership

• Lead curriculum development aligned with global design trends and industry requirements.
• Introduce interdisciplinary programmes integrating Design, Technology, Business, AI, Sustainability, and Innovation.
• Ensure high academic quality across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.
• Promote experiential, project-based, and studio-led learning.

Faculty Leadership

• Recruit, mentor, develop, and retain outstanding faculty members.
• Build a high-performance academic culture focused on excellence in teaching, research, and professional practice.
• Establish faculty development initiatives and international exposure opportunities.

Industry Engagement

• Build strategic partnerships with leading design studios, technology companies, startups, creative agencies, manufacturing firms, and global organizations.
• Strengthen internships, live industry projects, sponsored studios, and placement opportunities.
• Promote consulting assignments and executive education programmes.
• Foster research in emerging areas of design, innovation, sustainability, UX/UI, product design, service design, mobility, interaction design, digital experiences, and design strategy.
• Encourage interdisciplinary research and externally funded projects.
• Promote patents, publications, design showcases, exhibitions, and innovation labs.

Student Success

• Create a vibrant student-centric learning ecosystem.
• Encourage participation in national and international design competitions.
• Support entrepreneurship, incubation, and startup initiatives.
• Enhance student employability through industry immersion.

Academic Administration

• Manage budgets, infrastructure, studios, laboratories, workshops, and academic resources.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and statutory requirements.
• Drive outcome-based education, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.

External Relations

• Represent the School at national and international academic forums.
• Develop collaborations with universities, research centres, industry bodies, and professional associations.
• Build the School's reputation through conferences, publications, exhibitions, and thought leadership.

Academic Programs

The School may include disciplines such as:

• Communication Design
• Product Design
• UX/UI Design
• Interaction Design
• Interior Design
• Animation
• Game Design
• Transportation Design
• Fashion Communication
• Design Management
• Service Design
• Digital Experience Design
• Strategic Design

Qualification

• Ph.D. in Design or a closely related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Design from a reputed national or international institution.
• Bachelor's Degree in Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, or related field.

Experience

• 18–25 years of progressively responsible academic and leadership experience.
• Minimum 8–10 years in a senior academic leadership role such as Dean, Associate Dean, Director, Head of School, or equivalent.
• Experience in leading accredited design programmes.
• Strong record of academic administration, curriculum innovation, faculty leadership, and institutional development.
• Demonstrated success in building industry partnerships and interdisciplinary initiatives.

Desired Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate should possess:

• Strong academic credentials with an established national or international reputation.
• Deep understanding of contemporary design education and creative industries.
• Experience working with leading design schools or universities.
• Proven leadership in curriculum transformation and academic innovation.
• Strong publication, research, or professional practice portfolio.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in accreditation, rankings, and quality assurance.
• Ability to inspire faculty, students, and industry partners.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strategic vision and execution capability.