Sai University

Summary:Location: Chennai- Experience: 12-15 years (with at least a few years in educational institutions)JD: Senior leadership role to oversee end-to-end Finance, Accounts, Audit, Taxation, Funding, Legal, Commercial and Administrative functions for the University, working closely with the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor on both operational and strategic matters.Reporting to:- Operational matters: Vice Chancellor- Management & Strategic matters: ChancellorRole Overview:The Director Finance & Administration will be responsible for leading and managing the Universitys Finance and Administrative functions. This is a senior leadership role that covers Finance, Accounts, Audit, Taxation, Funding, Legal, Commercial and Administration activities. The incumbent will work closely with the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor to support strategic decision-making, ensure strong financial governance, and build robust administrative processes in line with institutional goals.Key & Accounts:- Oversee the entire Finance & Accounts function, including budgeting, financial planning, cash flow management and financial reporting.- Ensure timely preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements in line with applicable accounting standards and regulatory norms.- Monitor income, expenditure and variance analysis, ensuring cost control and optimal utilisation of resources.Audit, Taxation & Compliance:- Lead statutory, internal and special audits; ensure timely closure of audit observations.- Manage direct and indirect tax compliances including Income Tax, GST and other applicable regulations.- Ensure adherence to all statutory, regulatory and university-specific compliance requirements.Funding & Commercial:- Support fundraising initiatives, grants, endowments and external funding opportunities in collaboration with leadership.- Negotiate and manage commercial contracts, vendor agreements and service-level arrangements.- Evaluate and support key financial decisions related to capital expenditure, projects and new initiatives.Legal & Governance:- Coordinate with legal counsel on matters relating to contracts, disputes, compliance and risk management.- Ensure that financial and administrative policies are aligned with the Universitys governance framework.Administration & Operations:- Oversee key administrative functions and ensure smooth day-to-day operations in coordination with relevant departments.- Implement and improve systems, processes and controls to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.- Provide support to academic and non-academic units through effective administrative policies and practices.Stakeholder Management & Leadership:- Work closely with the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and senior leadership on strategic initiatives and institutional planning.- Lead, mentor and develop the Finance & Administration teams, fostering a culture of accountability, integrity and collaboration.- Prepare and present financial and operational reports to leadership and governing bodies as ACA / FCA qualification is mandatory.- 12-15 years of overall experience, with at least a few years in educational institutions (university / higher education / similar institutional setups).Preferred Profile:- Strong exposure to finance leadership roles in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.- Prior experience in educational institutions will be highly preferred.- Based out of Chennai or willing to relocate, with proficiency in spoken Tamil.- Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills.- Ability to work closely with top management on both strategic and operational & Joining:- Joining Time: Immediate to within 4 weeks preferred. (ref:iimjobs.com)