Chief of staff to the pro-chancellor

About the CompanySymbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune, India is a Private, Teaching & Research-Focused University committed to academic excellence, research innovation, and regional impact.About the RoleThe Chief of Staff (Co S) to the Pro Chancellor plays a strategic leadership role in supporting a rapidly expanding Indian Private University. The Co S acts as the principal advisor and operational partner to the Pro Chancellor—ensuring effective governance, enabling institutional growth, and driving execution of transformative initiatives.Responsibilities- Strategic Leadership & Institutional Growth- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Pro Chancellor on strategic planning, policy development, and institutional governance.- Partner with the Pro Chancellor to shape and execute the University’s growth strategy, including new program development, research expansion, industry partnerships, and internationalization.- Conduct market research on regional higher education trends, competitor analysis, and policy developments to support data-driven strategic decisions.- Support the design and implementation of strategic plans that enhance academic quality, research capacity, student enrollment growth, and financial sustainability.- Advise on capital projects, campus expansion, and technology-enabled teaching and research infrastructure.- Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of multi-year strategic plans aligned with academic excellence, operational sustainability, and long-term vision.- Prepare briefings, reports, and recommendations to facilitate informed decision making by the Pro Chancellor and governing committees.-- Executive Coordination & Advisory Support- Act as a sounding board to the Pro Chancellor on sensitive issues, maintaining high levels of confidentiality and integrity.- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Pro Chancellor on academic policy, research development, faculty affairs, and governance.- Prepare briefing notes, policy analyses, and recommendation papers for internal and external decision-making.- Coordinate strategic interactions between the Pro Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor, Deans, research institutes, and administrative heads.- Ensure the Pro Chancellor’s time and attention remain focused on high-impact initiatives and institutional priorities.-- University-wide Communication & Stakeholder Engagement- Serve as a key liaison between the Office of the Pro Chancellor and internal/external stakeholders, supporting transparent and consistent communication.- Foster strong relationships with governing board members, faculty senates, student unions, alumni associations, and external partners.- Support communication strategies, speeches, and institutional messages that reflect the Pro Chancellor’s voice and strategic priorities.- Manage crisis communication workflows in partnership with PR, communications, and legal departments when necessary.-- Research & Academic Excellence Support- Oversee initiatives to strengthen the University’s research ecosystem—including grant acquisition, research centers, innovation clusters, and collaborations.- Support accreditation processes, quality assurance reviews, and compliance with national and regional higher education regulations.- Partner with academic units to ensure curricula, teaching quality, and faculty development programs meet global standards.- Facilitate cross-campus collaboration to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research initiatives.-- Operational Excellence & Institutional Effectiveness- Drive administrative improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and prepare the University for sustainable scale.- Lead key cross-functional projects such as digital transformation, student experience enhancement, and international partnership development.- Develop dashboards and KPIs for monitoring academic performance, research productivity, student outcomes, and organizational growth.- Coordinate risk assessments and mitigation plans, especially in areas tied to expansion and accreditation.- Oversee special initiatives—such as new academic programs, campus development projects, strategic partnerships, and diversity & inclusion efforts.-- Governance, Committees & Institutional Communication- Manage the Pro Chancellor’s interactions with governing boards, academic councils, research committees, and international advisory panels.- Prepare agendas, documentation, reports, and action plans for governance meetings.- Track implementation of board decisions, strategic initiatives, and compliance tasks across academic and administrative units.- Ensure clear, timely communication of major decisions, policy updates, and strategic developments to the university community.-- Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations- Serve as a liaison between the Pro Chancellor and key external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, research councils, donors, and international collaborators.- Support the development of strategic partnerships with global universities, research bodies, and funding organizations.- Represent the Pro Chancellor in high-level meetings and engagements when delegated.-- People, Culture & Leadership Development- Promote a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive university culture aligned with Indian educational values and global academic standards.- Support faculty recruitment, leadership development, and capacity-building initiatives to meet the needs of a growing institution.- Assist in creating a high-performance culture centered on student success, research excellence, and continuous improvement.-Qualifications- Master’s degree required; advanced degree (Ph D, Ed D, MBA, MPA) highly preferred.- 7–12 years of experience in higher education leadership, university administration, research management, or strategic consulting.- Strong experience working with senior executives in fast-growing or internationally oriented universities.- Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects in academic settings.Required Skills- Deep understanding of Indian higher education landscapes, regulatory frameworks, accreditation processes, and research funding ecosystems.- Strong intercultural communication skills and the ability to work effectively in diverse academic environments.- Excellent analytical, policy-writing, and research capabilities.- High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and integrity in handling