Director and Executive Dean - Mumbai Enterprise Campus

The role

The University of Bristol is creating its first international campus in Mumbai – one of the world’s most dynamic and entrepreneurial cities. The Mumbai Enterprise Campus will deliver cutting-edge education and research in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, fintech, immersive arts, and economics, while fostering innovation through industry and civic partnerships.

As Director and Executive Dean, you will be responsible for the overall strategic vision and delivery of the Mumbai Enterprise Campus, in alignment with the wider University of Bristol strategy. This includes overseeing academic operations, governance, recruitment, infrastructure and student experience. Reporting to the Deputy VC and Provost, you will be a key architect of the campus culture and academic offer, ensuring it reflects both the spirit of Mumbai and the academic strategy and standards of Bristol. 

This is one of the most exciting and important leadership opportunities in international higher education today.  The role is initially offered for a three-year term.

What will you be doing?

In this role, you will:

• Lead the academic mission of the campus, ensuring excellence in teaching, research, and student outcomes.
• Build and manage high-performing academic and professional services teams.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive and positive working culture.
• Forge enduring partnerships with Indian regulators, government, industry, higher education institutions, and civic organisations.
• Foster a research culture that reflects Bristol’s global reputation for excellence.
• Embed civic engagement into teaching, research, and outreach.
• Ensure the campus embodies both the innovative spirit of Mumbai and the academic standards of Bristol.

You should apply if

We are looking for a visionary yet grounded leader, able to inspire across borders and disciplines, and translate bold strategy into action. You will bring:

• Outstanding leadership experience at Faculty or University level.
• Professorial standing in a relevant academic field, with a strong commitment to research-led teaching.
• A proven ability to lead senior colleagues, mentor others, and manage strategy, staff, and resources.
• A deep understanding of Indian higher education and its stakeholder landscape.
• Strong skills in partnership-building and cross-sector collaboration.
• A track record of educational innovation and student-centred programme design.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in leadership.
• Effective governance, planning, and operational oversight.

This is more than a leadership role – it’s a legacy-defining opportunity to create something lasting, ethical and extraordinary. If you believe leadership is about bringing people together, and you’re ready to build something bold and deeply human, we want to hear from you.

Additional information

Please note the role will be based full time at our campus in Mumbai and will also require frequent travel to Bristol.  

For informal queries about the position please contact Matthew Ellis - Interim Head of Resourcing, matthew.ellis@bristol.ac.uk

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 12th October 2025. It is anticipated that interviews will take place onsite in Bristol during the first two weeks of November.

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.