Chief Information Officer

Job Summary:We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the Group's IT, digital, and technology transformation agenda. The CIO will define and implement a comprehensive IT strategy that aligns with institutional goals while ensuring reliable, secure, and innovative use of technology across academic, administrative, and operational domains. This role demands a balance of strategic foresight, technical expertise, and strong leadership to drive digital transformation, ensure robust infrastructure, and leverage emerging technologies to enhance both operational efficiency and academic excellence.Key Responsibilities:- Strategic Leadership:- Define and implement the Group's IT and digital strategy, ensuring alignment with the overall organizational vision and long-term goals. - Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to embed technology into pedagogy and operations, including blended learning models, AI-enabled education, and data-driven decision-making. - Provide thought leadership on emerging technologies and oversee major IT initiatives in areas such as EdTech, LMS, AI/ML, and enterprise-wide digital transformation. - Build, lead, and mentor high-performing IT teams at both the Corporate Office and school campuses, fostering technical excellence and accountability.- Technology Infrastructure & Operations:- Design, implement, and periodically upgrade enterprise-wide IT infrastructure across campuses, including servers, networks, bandwidth, and end-user assets to ensure business continuity and disaster recovery. - Oversee deployment, customization, and integration of academic, administrative, and financial applications such as Oracle PeopleSoft, O365, Sophos, Saral, Tally, etc. - Lead IT project management, including ERP transitions, upgrades, and organization-wide change management initiatives. - Manage IT budgets, procurement, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective and timely delivery of technology solutions. - Establish and enforce IT governance frameworks, policies, and standards to ensure consistency and compliance across the Group.- Digital Transformation & Data Strategy:- Partner with academic leaders to integrate innovative technologies that enhance teaching effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and personalized education. - Deploy digital solutions to improve operational efficiency across Finance, HR, Marketing, and Administrative functions. - Design and execute a comprehensive big data and analytics strategy to generate actionable insights for both academic and institutional decision-making. - Build and mentor digital champions across non-IT departments to drive adoption of technology and advance transformation goals. - Introduce AI/ML-driven tools to enable personalized learning pathways and automate routine operational processes. - Deliver structured workshops and training programs to strengthen digital literacy and ensure effective adoption of emerging technologies by students and staff.- Product Development (In-house Platforms):- Lead the ongoing development of the Group's proprietary SaaS-based school and learning management system, working closely with the in-house development team. - Ensure the platform is AI-forward, scalable, adaptable, and responsive to evolving institutional requirements and emerging industry trends. - Build the platform into a sustainable business by defining its value proposition, competitive positioning, and long-term growth strategy. - Collaborate with sales teams to design and execute go-to-market strategies, enabling commercialization and adoption by external schools and educational institutions.- Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance:- Define, implement, and strengthen cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint security frameworks to safeguard institutional assets and stakeholder information. - Ensure full compliance with education regulations, international and domestic data protection laws (GDPR, DPDP, etc.), and accreditation standards such as IB. - Conduct periodic IT risk assessments, establish proactive monitoring mechanisms, and implement timely mitigation measures. - Oversee data loss prevention, secure identity and access management, and enforce best practices in information security across all campuses. - Build a culture of cyber awareness by ensuring staff and students are trained in safe digital practices and data privacy responsibilities.- Special Projects- Champion entrepreneurship, innovation, and future-skills initiatives for students by integrating advanced technologies into experiential learning programs. - Drive pilot projects and proof-of-concepts in collaboration with academic and administrative teams to test and scale new digital solutions.Qualifications & Skills:- Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. - 10-12 years of progressive IT leadership experience, with at least 3 years in a CIO role. - Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills. - Fluency in English and Hindi. - Prior international experience/exposure is desirable.Other Details:- Employee must commute to work in their own vehicle. - Working days will be Monday to Saturday, with the 2nd and 4th Saturdays off. - Official working hours will tentatively be 9:00 AM to 5:30 PMExpected CTC Compensation Offering:Rs. 32 to 36* lakh per annum*would not be a limiting factor for exceptional candidates