CFO / Director of Finance

As the CFO/Director of Finance at the University, you will be responsible for leading the financial strategy, planning, governance, and compliance functions. Your role will involve ensuring robust financial controls, institutional compliance, and stewardship of both commercial growth and academic mission. You will need to be a strategic thinker with deep experience in educational or similar institutions, capable of operating at the Board/Trust level while driving operational excellence in finance and administration. Key Responsibilities: - Develop and implement a multi-year financial strategy aligned with the institutional mission and growth. - Ensure adherence to statutory, audit, and higher education regulations such as UGC and AICTE. - Oversee cash flow, endowment utilization, capital projects, and investment planning. - Supervise accounts, procurement, ERP systems, and ensure data accuracy and timeliness. - Drive new revenue models through programs and partnerships, and optimize cost per student/program. - Present quarterly reports to the Board/VC and provide actionable insights to leadership. - Guide finance, audit, and procurement teams, fostering accountability and process discipline. Performance Metrics: - Budget variance: 5% - Audit/compliance deviations: Zero major observations - New revenue initiatives: Minimum 2 annually - Timeliness of MIS reports: Within 15 days of the month-end - Cost optimization: 510% annual improvement - Cash liquidity days: Maintain 60 days Required Skills: - Strong understanding of financial regulations governing universities/trusts. - Expertise in audit, compliance, budgeting, and ERP-based financial management. - Excellent communication and presentation skills. Preferred Skills: - Experience handling fund management, endowments, or grants. - Exposure to UGC, AICTE, NAAC, or CSR financial audits. - Ability to collaborate across academic and administrative departments. Attitude Required for This Position: - Integrity and transparency in every transaction. - Strategic thinker with operational precision. - Balanced approach between academic and business priorities. - Team builder and cross-functional collaborator. - Ethical decision-maker with institutional loyalty. Experience & Eligibility: - Experience Range: 12-15 years total (3+ years relevant) - Qualification: CA/CMA or MBA (Finance) - Male candidates are preferred. Please note that the job type is full-time and the work location is in person.,