Chief of Staff for CEO

Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune, India is a Private, Teaching & Research-Focused University committed to academic excellence, research innovation, and regional impact. The Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Pro Chancellor plays a strategic leadership role in supporting a rapidly expanding Indian Private University. The CoS acts as the principal advisor and operational partner to the Pro Chancellor—ensuring effective governance, enabling institutional growth, and driving execution of transformative initiatives. 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. Executive Coordination & Advisory Support 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Master’s degree required; advanced degree (PhD, EdD, 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. 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