Administration Head (University/ Academic)

Position Title: Head of Administration (University-wide)

Location: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra

Reports to: Vice Chancellor / President / Senior Leadership

Level: Senior Leadership / C-level equivalent

Role Overview We are seeking a seasoned, strategic, and operationally strong Head of Administration to lead and unify all non-academic administrative functions across the entire university ecosystem. This role is pivotal in ensuring seamless operations, regulatory compliance, resource optimization, and institutional excellence while supporting the academic mission and growth objectives of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary university.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all university-wide administrative operations, including HR, finance & accounts, facilities & infrastructure management, procurement & stores, security & safety, transport, housekeeping, estate management, and general administration.
• Serve as the principal point of accountability for efficient day-to-day functioning of administrative services across all schools, campuses, departments, and support units.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve university-wide administrative policies, processes, SOPs, and service standards to enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Lead budgeting, financial planning, cost control, and resource allocation for administrative functions in alignment with institutional goals and statutory requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with UGC, AICTE, state government, and other regulatory bodies' norms; coordinate audits, inspections, and statutory filings related to administration.
• Oversee campus infrastructure maintenance, expansion projects, vendor management, contract negotiations, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Drive HR strategy for non-teaching staff recruitment, performance management, training & development, employee relations, grievance handling, and welfare initiatives.
• Manage crisis response, risk mitigation, safety protocols, disaster preparedness, and business continuity planning.
• Foster inter-departmental coordination and serve as a key liaison between administration, academic leadership, governing bodies, and external stakeholders (government, vendors, service providers).
• Lead digital transformation initiatives in administrative processes (ERP, workflow automation, paperless systems) to improve productivity and data-driven decision-making.
• Prepare and present regular reports on administrative performance, KPIs, budget utilization, and improvement initiatives to senior leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Postgraduate degree (MBA / PGDM / Master's in Public Administration / Educational Management / relevant field) from a reputed institution.
• 1520+ years of progressive experience in senior administrative leadership roles, preferably in large universities, higher education institutions, large corporate setups, or multi-location organizations in India.
• Proven track record of heading administration in a multi-stream / multi-campus educational institution is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of UGC/AICTE/other regulatory frameworks governing private/deemed universities in India.

Key Competencies

• Exceptional leadership, team-building, and change-management skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution capabilities.
• Excellent negotiation, vendor & stakeholder management, and conflict-resolution skills.
• High integrity, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive matters.
• Proficiency in ERP/finance/HR/administrative software systems.
• Strong communication (written & verbal) and presentation skills.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and current drawn.
• Opportunity to shape administrative backbone of a fast-growing, reputed university.
• Performance-linked incentives and long-term growth potential.