Director - Internationalization

Job Description and Person Specifications

1. Job Details

Job Title

Director – Internationalization

Department

International Collaboration

Location

MIT-WPU, Pune

Reporting to

Chief Academic Officer(CAO)

2. Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to promote MIT-WPU’s brand globally and highlight its unique academic offerings to international audiences. The role focuses on enhancing the student experience through global exposure and fostering meaningful collaborations with reputed international universities, research centres, and organizations.

The incumbent will be responsible for initiating and formalizing international partnerships and MoUs in areas such as faculty and student exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and international student enrolments, thereby strengthening MIT-WPU’s global footprint.

3. Key Accountability

Strategic Responsibilities

Contribute to the formulation andexecution of strategic plans aimed at enhancing MIT-WPU’s global presence and attracting high-quality international students .

Provide strategic insights and high-level advice to the University Management on matters related to international collaborations , including global education trends, market forecasts, and emerging challenges impacting the university’s internationalization efforts.

Identify, evaluate, and recommend international development opportunities, partnerships, and initiatives aligned with MIT-WPU’s long-term institutional goals.

Support the creation of strategic frameworks and policies to strengthen MIT-WPU’s

position as a preferred globalacademic destination.

Operational Responsibilities

Plan and organize orientation programs for international students, including pre-departure sessions and / or in-country orientations, ensuring a seamless transition and positive experience.

Ensure that all orientation sessions comprehensively coverareas such as : Program administration and communication protocols

University facilities and public transportation Health, safety, and well-being

Program rules, behavioral expectations, and groupdynamics

Host country education system andacademic expectations

Cross-cultural adaptation and understanding of cultural differences

Foster a supportive and inclusive environment by establishing effective leadership, encouraging positive group dynamics, and serving as an intercultural facilitator between home and host cultures.

Build and lead a team of competent staffmembers, managing themprofessionally and proactively through performance monitoring, guidance, and continuous training.

Ensure efficient coordination amongdepartments and international partners to delivera high-quality student experience and maintain institutional standards.

Financial and Budget

Oversee all financial decisions of the office, including setting and monitoring budgets, and ensuring a clear, independent financial audit.

Plan and manage the international marketing budget. Work closely with the Marketing & Communications to develop supporting field initiatives

Relationship Management andCollaboration

Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Heads of Schools, Career Services, Internship and Industry Partnership teams, StudentAffairs, parents, and students, to ensure effective coordination and support for international initiatives.

Facilitate cross-departmental communication and synergy to align internationalization activities with the university’s broader academic, career development, and student engagement objectives.

Research and MarketIntelligence

Research, collate, and maintain comprehensive data and insights relevant to the international highereducation marketplace, ensuring informed decision-making and strategic planning.

Monitor and analyze targetmarkets, including demographic trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities, to identify potential regions for expansion or collaboration.

Prepare and present periodic reports to management, providing actionable insights on international marketperformance, recruitment outcomes, and partnership effectiveness.

Maintain a clear understanding of the performance metrics for each international market segment, using data-driven insights to recommend strategic adjustments wherenecessary.

Academic

Manage and improve lead management process (from pipeline entry to enrolment) through CRMand nurture marketing processes and programs. Ensure that enquiry and influencer databases are up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive.

External Representation

Represent MIT WPU on various professional bodies of repute, which is value adding, building relationships with the community, government agencies, society at large, and with the ultimate objective of building MIT WPU brand

4. Person Specification

Substantial leadership and management experience

Able to provide effective and inspiring leadership by being actively involved in allprograms and services, developing a broad and deep knowledge of all programs

External relations and Corporate engagement

The ability to advocate at the highest levels regionally and nationally on behalf of the University and to influence the decision maker.

Personal attributes and style

A strong commitment to MIT WPU and its vision, ambitions, and values

• The ability and confidence to lead and work effectively with an experienced and capable senior leadership team, empowering leaders at all levels to deliver the Division’s ambitions;
• The ability to relate to and communicate effectively with staff at all levels in the Division, engaging them with the University’s vision and plans;
• A personal commitment to and recordin effective andrespectful partnership working across all staff groups;
• Sound judgement andthe ability andcourage to make difficult but informed decisions, including on challenging issues;

Exceptional personal and public communication and relations

Minimum Qualifications &Experience

Educational Qualification : MBA from a premier institution; candidates with an engineering background will be given preference.

Experience : Minimum15 years of relevant professional experience, with demonstrated leadership in international relations, higher education, or related domains.

Skills and Competencies :

Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

High level of professional maturity and sophistication in social and professional interactions.

Proven ability to manage,guide, and evaluate teams, assign responsibilities effectively, and ensure timely, high-quality outputs.

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities — capable of collecting data,establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions.

Demonstrated abilityto build and maintain cooperative working relationships withina diverse, multicultural environment.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously whilemaintaining flexibility in a fast-paced work environment.

Proficiency in Microsoft OfficeSuite and otherrelevant digital tools.

5. Communication &Working Relationship

Internal

All Schools and Departments / functions

University Leadership

External

Government Agencies

Professional academic networks and societies

Alumni Network