Associate Director – Operations Full Time

Job Opening: Associate Director – Operations

Reports to: Dean – Operations

Location: University Campus, Bavdhan, Pune, Maharashtra 411021

Nature and Days of Work: Full-time, On-site (Monday to Friday; flexibility required for events and emergencies)

About Nayanta University:

Nayanta University in Pune is an exciting initiative by leading Indian industrialists associated with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). As a multidisciplinary institution, the University prioritises excellence, integrity, and the holistic development of its entire community. With a culture dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and merit-based admissions, Nayanta is building a future-ready learning ecosystem for the leaders of tomorrow.

Why Join Us:

• High-Impact Infrastructure: Play a pivotal role in establishing a robust foundation for a mission-driven institution.
• Professional Growth: Collaborate with leading academic and administrative teams, gaining exposure to cutting-edge educational technologies.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Contribute to transformative digital initiatives, supporting both operational efficiency and innovation in teaching and learning.
• Culture of Excellence: Be a part of a founding team fostering transparency, continuous improvement, and service excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Campus Establishment & End-to-End Setup

• Lead the establishment of the new university campus, including planning, coordination, and execution of infrastructure development, utilities, facilities, statutory approvals, and operational readiness. Oversee complete campus setup—from land development, construction, and fit-outs to operationalising academic, residential, and support services—to ensure the campus is fully functional, compliant, and future-ready.

2. Campus Administration

• Oversee day-to-day administrative operations, including staff management, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Develop, implement, and enforce administrative policies and SOPs to ensure efficiency, compliance, and discipline across the campus.
• Provide operational support to academic and non-academic departments as required.

3. Facility & Infrastructure Management

• Plan, manage, and maintain campus infrastructure, including academic blocks, hostels, dining facilities, recreation facilities, and transport facilities.
• Lead campus construction, renovation, and expansion projects in collaboration with architects, contractors, and vendors.
• Ensure compliance with safety, fire, health, and environmental norms and certifications.
• Plan, design, and develop campus infrastructure for new and expanding facilities, and ensure it aligns with the long-term institutional vision.

4. Dining & Mess Management

• Oversee daily operations of campus dining halls, mess facilities, and cafeterias to ensure hygiene, quality, and timely service.
• Establish food safety standards and ensure compliance with FSSAI and other relevant norms.
• Coordinate with nutritionists and vendors to provide balanced, diverse, and cost-effective meal plans for students and staff.
• Monitor feedback and conduct regular audits on food quality, hygiene, and service efficiency.
• Ensure dining infrastructure, equipment, and kitchen facilities are well-maintained and upgraded as required.

5. Vendor & Contract Management

• Oversee procurement and vendor selection for key services, including security, housekeeping, cafeteria, transport, and utilities.
• Monitor service quality, enforce SLAs, and ensure cost optimisation without compromising standards.
• Coordinate with finance for vendor payments and contract renewals.

6. Security, Transport & Emergency Readiness

• Implement and monitor a secure, safe environment for students, staff, and visitors through surveillance systems and security staff management.
• Ensure efficient and reliable campus transport services.
• Develop and enforce emergency response protocols and disaster preparedness plans.

7. Asset Tracking & Management

• Establish and oversee systems for asset tracking, inventory control, and lifecycle management of campus assets (furniture, IT, lab equipment, vehicles, etc.).
• Ensure accurate tagging, documentation, and periodic audits of all physical assets.
• Implement digital tools/ERP for real-time asset monitoring and reporting.
• Plan preventive maintenance schedules and manage end-of-life asset disposal in compliance with university policies.
• Align asset management with financial planning to reduce loss, optimise utilisation, and ensure sustainability.

8. Government Liaison & Compliance

• Act as the primary liaison with government departments, statutory bodies, and local authorities for permissions, inspections, and approvals.
• Ensure compliance with UGC, AICTE, NAAC, fire & safety, municipal, and environmental regulations.
• Manage the timely submission of reports, licenses, and renewals to maintain uninterrupted operations.
• Build relationships with local community stakeholders, utility providers, and civic agencies to ensure smooth coordination.
• Coordinate with statutory bodies and local authorities to obtain all permissions and approvals required during campus establishment and expansion phases.

9. Budgeting & Resource Planning

• Develop and manage the operations budget with emphasis on cost efficiency, sustainability, and forecasting.
• Monitor expenditures, asset depreciation, and propose cost-saving measures.
• Align operations planning with broader university objectives in coordination with finance and HR.

10. Team Leadership & Training

• Lead, mentor, and motivate operations, administration, and facilities staff.
• Establish performance standards and conduct regular evaluations.
• Design training programs to align staff with the University’s mission, safety norms, and service excellence standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree / MBA (Operations/General Management/Facilities) preferred.
• Certifications in Facility Management, Safety, or Project Management (e.g., PMP, ISO, etc.) will be an advantage.

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in large-scale campus operations, institutional administration, or facilities management.
• Proven track record in leading multi-functional teams (administration, facilities, dining, transport, security, vendor management).
• Experience in higher education or large institutional/corporate campuses strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in vendor negotiations, contract management, and cost optimisation.
• Hands-on experience with compliance management, liaisoning with government bodies, and audits/inspections.
• Exposure to digital operations platforms/ERP systems for asset management, finance, or HR integration.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of infrastructure and facility management (hostels, dining, classrooms, transport, utilities).
• Familiarity with FSSAI, fire safety, environmental, and municipal norms.
• Financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office, ERP tools, and facility/asset tracking software.

Leadership & Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision and day-to-day operational execution.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills for managing vendors, contractors, and government authorities.
• Strong crisis management and problem-solving ability with a calm, solution-oriented approach.
• High standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency.
• Ability to motivate, mentor, and build cohesive, high-performing teams.
• Service-oriented mindset with sensitivity to the needs of students, faculty, and staff.
• Adaptable, resilient, and able to perform in a dynamic, fast-growing institutional environment.

Remuneration:

Compensation will be competitive and benchmarked to industry and sector norms, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Kindly note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.