Director – International Relations

About the Institution

We are a fast-growing engineering institution with a solid focus on applied research, industry engagement, innovation and global collaboration.

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Director – International Relations to lead CIT's internationalisation strategy and build a strong global network of universities, research institutions, industries, governments and international organisations.

Desired Profile

- Ph.D. from a reputed national or international institution is mandatory.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in international relations, higher education, academic partnerships, research collaboration or a related field.
- Proven experience in developing and managing international university and institutional partnerships.
- Ability to develop and execute a long-term internationalisation strategy for the institution.
- Strong understanding of global higher education and research ecosystems across Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Europe, North America, Australia and other developed countries.
- Strong network with leading universities, research institutions, technology companies, government agencies and international organisations.
- Experience in developing and managing MoUs, joint programs, student/faculty exchanges and collaborative research initiatives.
- Experience facilitating international internships, placements, scholarships, study-abroad and student mobility programs.
- Strong track record in developing international research collaborations, joint proposals and externally funded projects.
- Experience working with international delegations, embassies, government bodies and global education/research organisations.
- Excellent communication, relationship management, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Key Responsibilities




- Develop and implement CIT's 5–10 year internationalisation strategy.
- Build strategic partnerships with leading global universities, research institutions and industries.
- Establish and scale student exchange, faculty exchange, internships, joint programs and international placements.
- Drive international research collaborations, joint projects, grants and Ph.D. partnerships.
- Create global opportunities for CIT students through international internships, competitions, scholarships and academic programs.
- Develop international industry partnerships for technology, research, talent and innovation.
- Manage international delegations, institutional visits, MoUs and partnerships with clear measurable outcomes.
- Develop opportunities for dual-degree, twinning, joint-degree, semester-abroad and short-term international programs.
- Strengthen CIT's global visibility through international conferences, academic networks and strategic partnerships.
- Work closely with academic departments to convert international partnerships into tangible student, faculty, research and industry outcomes.
- Build and lead a professional International Relations Office with clear objectives, KPIs and partnership pipelines.

Ideal Candidate A globally connected academic leader and strategic relationship builder who can move beyond signing MoUs and create measurable institutional outcomes across: Global Partnerships × Student Mobility × Research × Industry × Innovation The ideal candidate should have the ability to identify strategic partners, build long-term relationships, negotiate collaborations and convert them into meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and the institution.

Location: Chennai

Position: Director – International Relations

Qualification: Ph.D. Mandatory

Experience: 10+ years

📌 Director of International Relations (Chennai)
🏢 Chennai Institute of Technology
📍 Chennai