Academic Dean (Founding Dean)
Winntus Institute of Formwork Technology (WIFT)
Full-time, On-site | Founding Team
About WIFT
WIFT is a Section 8 not-for-profit company promoted by Winntus Formwork Private Limited, a leading formwork technology solutions provider with 15+ years of project execution experience across Bengaluru, Pune, and major metro infrastructure projects. WIFT's mission is to build a pipeline of work-ready construction professionals trained on real formwork and scaffolding systems, addressing a critical skills gap in India's fastest-growing construction sector. WIFT is launching in Bengaluru in FY 2026-27.
About the Role
The Academic Dean is WIFT's institutional anchor, responsible for the academic backbone of the institute from NSQF/QP-aligned curriculum design to batch delivery readiness and CSDCI/NSDC compliance. This is a founding, high-ownership position: you will set the academic vision and work directly alongside Winntus engineers to translate real site knowledge into structured, assessable learning. This role reports to the Board of Directors / Executive Director.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership
- Develop WIFT's academic vision, roadmap, and quality standards for a founding-stage, industry-embedded skill institute.
- Design and own certificate, diploma, and professional development programmes across NSQF Levels 3-5.
- Establish learning outcomes for every course and build assessment frameworks aligned to NOS Performance Criteria.
- Define practical-to-theory learning ratios per NSDC and CSDCI norms; integrate project-based and competency-based learning models.
Curriculum Development & QP Alignment
- Lead curriculum development across all programmes, mapped to CSDCI Qualification Packs (Formwork, Scaffolding, Shuttering Carpenter job roles).
- Benchmark curriculum against national construction training institutions; incorporate industry feedback through structured advisory cycles.
- Maintain version-controlled curriculum documentation ready for CSDCI TC affiliation and NSDC MLP submission.
Faculty & Trainer Development
- Onboard and develop Winntus engineers as structured guest/adjunct faculty; design and deliver Train-the-Trainer (ToT) programmes.
- Develop instructor guides and assessment rubrics for each module; conduct faculty evaluations and mentoring.
- Maintain WIFT's pool of CSDCI-certified assessors and build accreditation readiness.
Regulatory & Academic Quality
- Coordinate with WIFT's compliance function on SIDH registrations, SDMS uploads, and assessment agency tie-ups.
- Stay current on NCVET, NCRF, PMKVY 4.0, and AICTE/NBA guidelines as applicable.
- Establish academic review processes; lead academic audits and monitor student learning outcomes.
Batch Operations & Industry Collaboration
- Plan and execute the batch calendar across open enrolment, corporate, and CSR batches; manage the full student lifecycle from enrolment to certification.
- Work with contractors, manufacturers, and OEMs to build industry advisory boards and incorporate field feedback into curriculum.
- Support placement readiness so every programme produces site-deployable graduates.
Qualifications
Required
- PhD or M.Tech in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 15 years of experience, with demonstrated academic leadership and curriculum development in engineering or technical education.
- Proven track record building or running programmes in skill development, vocational education, or engineering institutions.
Preferred
- Experience at IIT, NIT, BITS, or a reputed engineering institution, or an equivalent senior academic role at an industry-linked training body.
- AICTE / NBA exposure; familiarity with Outcome Based Education (OBE) frameworks.
- Prior engagement with CSDCI, NSDC, PMKVY, or SSC-accredited training providers; understanding of QP/NOS structure is a strong differentiator.
- Published research in construction, civil engineering education, or vocational learning.
- Working knowledge of SIDH / SDMS platforms and NSQF level mapping.
Pay: ₹80,000.00 - ₹100,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
