Website:
vgu.ac.in
Job details:
Position: Head of Department (HOD) – Design
University: Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, Rajasthan
Department: Department of Design
Reports To: Dean – Faculty of Design
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
1. About Vivekananda Global University (VGU)
Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, is a multidisciplinary university committed to academic excellence, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry-integrated education. The University promotes experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, digital transformation, and the development of future-ready professionals.
The Department of Design aims to nurture creative thinkers, innovative designers, and industry-ready professionals through studio-based learning, design thinking, emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and strong industry engagement.
2. Position Summary
The Head of Department (HOD) – Design will be responsible for the academic, administrative, operational, and strategic management of the Department of Design. The HOD will ensure effective curriculum delivery, faculty performance, student development, research productivity, industry collaboration, accreditation readiness, and departmental growth.
The position requires a dynamic academic leader with a strong understanding of design education, contemporary creative practices, digital design tools, and industry expectations. The HOD will work closely with the Dean and University leadership to achieve institutional objectives, improve student outcomes, strengthen academic quality, and promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Key Roles and Responsibilities
A. Academic Leadership and Curriculum Management
- Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate, and doctoral programmes offered by the Department, as applicable.
- Oversee programmes and specializations such as Fashion Design, Interior Design, Communication Design, Graphic Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, UI/UX Design, Animation, and allied disciplines, depending on the University's approved academic portfolio.
- Ensure curriculum alignment with UGC regulations, NEP 2020, NCrF, NHEQF, university policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Develop and periodically revise course structures, syllabi, course handbooks, lesson plans, studio briefs, project guidelines, and assessment rubrics.
- Promote studio-based learning, design thinking, experiential education, project-based learning, interdisciplinary teaching, and portfolio-driven assessment.
- Ensure effective implementation of academic calendars, timetables, course allocation, internal assessments, juries, exhibitions, and end-semester evaluations.
- Monitor teaching effectiveness, syllabus completion, student attendance, assessment quality, and learning outcomes.
B. Teaching-Learning Excellence
- Promote innovative pedagogies integrating practical assignments, live projects, field visits, workshops, industry briefs, design critiques, and collaborative projects.
- Encourage the integration of AI-enabled design tools, digital prototyping, 3D modelling, CAD, BIM where relevant, AR/VR, digital fabrication, and emerging creative technologies.
- Ensure timely preparation and quality of course handbooks, learning resources, presentations, case studies, practical manuals, and digital learning materials.
- Monitor faculty engagement with the University's ERP/LMS and ensure timely uploading of course content, attendance, assessments, and academic records.
- Establish periodic classroom observations, course reviews, peer learning, and student feedback mechanisms.
- Ensure that teaching and assessment practices support measurable learning outcomes and professional competencies.
C. Accreditation and Quality Assurance
- Coordinate departmental preparedness for NAAC, NBA where applicable, and other institutional quality assurance initiatives.
- Ensure systematic implementation of Outcome-Based Education (OBE), Course Outcomes (COs), Programme Outcomes (POs), and Programme Specific Outcomes (PSOs), wherever applicable.
- Maintain updated departmental records, course files, faculty profiles, workload records, assessment evidence, student progression data, and achievement reports.
- Conduct internal academic audits and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Monitor compliance with university policies, statutory requirements, and prescribed academic standards.
- Submit timely reports and supporting evidence to the Dean, accreditation coordinators, and University leadership.
D. Faculty Management and Development
- Plan faculty recruitment requirements in consultation with the Dean and HR department.
- Allocate teaching responsibilities, studio supervision, project mentoring, committee assignments, and administrative duties based on qualifications and expertise.
- Establish faculty KRAs, KPIs, and performance review mechanisms aligned with University policies.
- Monitor faculty attendance, punctuality, teaching quality, academic delivery, research performance, and administrative responsibilities.
- Identify faculty development needs and organize FDPs, workshops, industry immersion, design software training, research mentoring, and professional development programmes.
- Promote faculty participation in conferences, exhibitions, design competitions, industry projects, publications, and professional associations.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, inclusive, and performance-oriented departmental culture.
E. Research, Innovation and Creative Practice
- Develop an annual departmental research and innovation plan.
- Encourage high-quality research publications, books, design research, patents, copyrights, design registrations, funded projects, and consultancy assignments, as relevant.
- Promote research in sustainable design, circular economy, material innovation, human-centred design, digital experiences, visual communication, and emerging technologies.
- Facilitate interdisciplinary research and collaboration with engineering, architecture, management, humanities, and other relevant disciplines.
- Encourage faculty and students to participate in design challenges, innovation competitions, exhibitions, conferences, and research showcases.
- Support faculty in identifying external funding opportunities and preparing research proposals.
F. Industry Engagement and Professional Collaboration
- Establish and maintain relationships with design studios, fashion houses, architecture and interior design firms, creative agencies, manufacturing organizations, technology companies, and startups.
- Facilitate internships, live industry projects, sponsored design briefs, collaborative studios, workshops, guest lectures, and industrial visits.
- Develop partnerships for industry certifications, professional mentoring, placement opportunities, and collaborative research.
- Invite industry experts and practising designers to participate in curriculum reviews, portfolio assessments, jury evaluations, and departmental events.
- Track the effectiveness of industry collaborations through student outcomes, internships, live projects, and employer feedback.
G. Student Development and Career Readiness
- Monitor student academic progression, attendance, engagement, project completion, and overall performance.
- Ensure effective mentoring, counselling referrals where necessary, and timely resolution of student academic grievances.
- Strengthen student portfolios, exhibitions, design showcases, internships, entrepreneurship, and placement preparedness.
- Encourage participation in national and international design competitions, exhibitions, hackathons, and professional events.
- Coordinate with the Training and Placement Cell to improve internships, placements, employer engagement, and career opportunities.
- Promote student startups, freelance opportunities, innovation projects, and industry-recognized certifications.
- Maintain regular engagement with alumni and encourage alumni participation in mentoring, placements, and departmental development.
H. Infrastructure and Resource Management
- Ensure effective utilization and maintenance of design studios, computer laboratories, material libraries, model-making workshops, photography studios, prototyping facilities, and other departmental resources.
- Identify infrastructure, software, equipment, and consumable requirements for annual budget planning.
- Establish appropriate protocols for equipment usage, inventory management, workshop safety, and laboratory maintenance.
- Promote access to industry-standard design software and digital learning resources.
- Coordinate with IT, procurement, administration, and other departments for timely resolution of operational requirements.
I. Administration, Governance and Budgeting
- Prepare the departmental annual action plan, operational calendar, budget proposals, and performance reports.
- Ensure compliance with university policies relating to attendance, leave, academic delivery, examinations, student discipline, and faculty performance.
- Maintain accurate departmental documentation and ensure timely completion of assigned administrative responsibilities.
- Coordinate with the Dean, Registrar, HR, Examination Cell, Finance, Training and Placement Cell, and other University departments.
- Participate in departmental, faculty-level, and University review meetings.
- Monitor departmental expenditure, resource utilization, and opportunities for revenue generation through workshops, consultancy, certification programmes, and industry-sponsored initiatives.
4. Key Result Areas (KRAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The HOD will be evaluated through a structured performance management system, with annual targets approved by the Dean and University leadership.
Key Result AreaIllustrative Key Performance Indicators
Academic Delivery
100% implementation of the approved academic calendar; timely syllabus completion; quality of course handbooks and learning materials
Curriculum Development
Periodic curriculum review; integration of emerging design technologies; industry inputs in curriculum development
Teaching Quality
Improvement in student feedback; classroom observation outcomes; quality of studio teaching and project-based learning
Academic Compliance
Timely ERP/LMS updates; complete course files; adherence to attendance, assessment, and examination requirements
Accreditation
Timely submission of departmental evidence; closure of audit observations; achievement of approved quality improvement targets
Faculty Performance
Completion of faculty appraisals; achievement of individual KRAs; faculty development and retention
Research and Innovation
Growth in quality publications, design registrations, patents, funded projects, and consultancy assignments
Industry Engagement
Active industry partnerships; live projects; expert sessions; internships and collaborative design assignments
Student Outcomes
Internship completion; placement performance; portfolio quality; competition achievements; entrepreneurship and higher education progression
Student Satisfaction
Timely grievance resolution; improved student feedback; effective mentoring and academic support
Infrastructure
Availability and utilization of studios and laboratories; equipment maintenance; software and resource adequacy
Financial Management
Budget adherence; optimal resource utilization; revenue generation through approved departmental activities
Institutional Contribution
Timely reporting; cross-functional collaboration; contribution to accreditation, rankings, events, and University initiatives
Note: Numerical targets for publications, placements, internships, industry partnerships, student satisfaction, and revenue should be finalized annually based on departmental strength, programme portfolio, baseline performance, and University priorities.
5. Educational Qualifications
- Master's degree in Design, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Communication Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, Visual Arts, or an allied discipline from a recognized university.
- Ph.D. in Design or a relevant discipline will be preferred and may be required where prescribed by applicable UGC regulations or University recruitment policy.
- A strong academic record and demonstrable expertise in design education or professional practice are essential.
6. Experience Requirements
- Typically, 10–15 years of relevant experience in design education, professional design practice, research, or a combination thereof.
- At least 3–5 years of experience in academic administration or leadership, such as Programme Coordinator, Associate HOD, HOD, or equivalent.
- Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, faculty coordination, student mentoring, academic quality assurance, and industry collaboration.
- Experience in accreditation, research supervision, design consultancy, and departmental growth will be an advantage.
The final eligibility and experience criteria shall be aligned with applicable UGC regulations, University statutes, and the requirements of the specific design programmes.
7. Essential Skills and Competencies
- Academic leadership and departmental administration.
- Curriculum development and Outcome-Based Education.
- Contemporary design practices and studio-based pedagogy.
- Faculty performance management and mentoring.
- Accreditation, documentation, and quality assurance.
- Research, innovation, and creative project development.
- Industry partnerships and professional networking.
- Digital design tools and technology-enabled learning.
- Budgeting, resource planning, and operational management.
- Strong communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
8. Preferred Profile
Candidates with the following experience will be preferred:
- Leadership experience in a reputed design institution or multidisciplinary university.
- Strong professional network within the design and creative industries.
- Experience in developing industry-integrated programmes and interdisciplinary design initiatives.
- Demonstrated achievements in student placements, design competitions, exhibitions, and portfolio development.
- Experience in establishing design studios, laboratories, incubation initiatives, or Centres of Excellence.
- A record of research, consultancy, professional practice, or recognized contributions to the design sector.
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