- Full Time
- Chennai, India
Operations Manager (or COO) – Chennai, India
- Global Higher Education Hub
- Search Conducted by Excelon Associates Recruitment
Excelon Associates Recruitment is partnering with an internationally expanding higher education institution that is establishing a new overseas hub in Chennai, India. This hub will serve as a strategic base for regional growth, supporting student recruitment, alumni engagement, employer partnerships, and operational coordination across India.
The institution is advancing a careers-first education model aligned with the future of work, global mobility, and industry collaboration. The Chennai hub will play a critical role in strengthening its international footprint and delivering high-quality engagement across the region.
This is an opportunity to join at the ground level of a new international operation and help shape its infrastructure, culture, and reputation.
The Role
The Operations Manager will ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Chennai Hub. Working closely with global leadership, UK-based colleagues, and regional partners, this individual will oversee daily operations, administrative coordination, service delivery, and stakeholder engagement.
This is a hands-on, service-oriented leadership role ideal for a professional with strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
The Operations Manager will:
- Ensure hub facilities, activities, and processes operate seamlessly
- Support student-facing, partner-facing, and operational initiatives
- Provide high-quality executive and administrative support to the Hub Director
- Oversee the on-site operations team and maintain service standards
- Coordinate events, visits, and engagement activities
- Support finance, HR, procurement, reporting, and compliance processes
- Contribute to building institutional presence and reputation in the region
Key Responsibilities
Hub Operations Management
- Oversee the daily running of the hub, ensuring a professional and welcoming environment
- Ensure meeting rooms, event spaces, student areas, and IT systems function effectively
- Coordinate maintenance, repairs, and vendor relationships
- Develop and maintain local operating procedures aligned with institutional standards and local regulations
- Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements
- Manage timetabling, room bookings, event schedules, and space utilization
Administrative & Executive Support
- Provide direct administrative support to the Hub Director
- Prepare reports, presentations, schedules, and operational documentation
- Coordinate communication between India-based operations and global teams
- Support staff onboarding and local HR coordination as required
Stakeholder & Event Coordination
- Organize events including workshops, employer activities, alumni gatherings, recruitment sessions, and community engagement programs
- Liaise with partner organizations, employers, service providers, and education collaborators
- Support engagement with prospective students and alumni
- Ensure a high-quality visitor and stakeholder experience
Team Support & Supervision
- Oversee scheduling and daily supervision of hub staff
- Conduct regular performance check-ins
- Support staff training and operational development
- Encourage effective use of digital tools and systems
Finance & Resource Management
- Monitor local budgets in coordination with central finance teams
- Process purchase orders, manage expenses, and maintain accurate financial records
- Liaise with suppliers and service providers
- Ensure procurement aligns with institutional policy and local legal requirements
- Monitor facility and resource utilization
Project & Data Coordination
- Provide operational support for marketing initiatives, partnership development, and student-facing projects
- Track and report key performance metrics such as engagement, event data, and facility utilization
- Support implementation of new systems and operational improvements
Compliance, Risk & Governance
- Ensure adherence to institutional policies in finance, HR, procurement, safeguarding, and data protection
- Maintain accurate operational documentation
- Support risk assessment and business continuity planning
Candidate Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
Experience
- Experience managing operations in a professional or educational environment
- Strong administrative and organizational capability
- Experience coordinating events and stakeholder engagement
- Familiarity with budget monitoring and procurement processes
- Experience working across international or cross-functional teams is preferred
Skills & Competencies
- Strong organizational and multitasking ability
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High attention to detail
- Customer-focused and service-oriented mindset
- Ability to work independently while collaborating across time zones
- Strong problem-solving capability
About Excelon Associates Recruitment
Excelon Associates Recruitment is a retained executive search firm specializing in leadership and operational roles within higher education and international growth initiatives. We work closely with institutional partners to identify professionals who combine operational strength, strategic awareness, and execution excellence.
For confidential consideration, please contact Excelon Associates Recruitment directly.
www.excelonassociates.com
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Excelon does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital or veteran status, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.