Overview
We are seeking a dynamic, experienced, and forward-thinking Manager to lead Office Administration, Facilities Management, and SEZ Compliance for our IT Services operations based within a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Chennai. This is a senior individual-contributor-cum-leadership role that bridges day-to-day operational excellence with regulatory compliance, government affairs, and financial stewardship.
Key Responsibilities
- SEZ Compliance & Government Affairs
- Manage all SEZ-related compliance including Annual Performance Reports (APR), softex filings, and NFE calculations.
- Liaise with the Development Commissioners office, STPI, Customs, DGFT, and other regulatory bodies for approvals, renewals, and audits.
- Stay current on amendments to the SEZ Act 2005, SEZ Rules 2006, FEMA regulations, and relevant notifications from MoC&I.
- Coordinate Letter of Permission (LoP) renewals, bond-cum-legal undertaking (BLUT) management, and unit approval processes.
- Interface with government departments (TNPCB, Fire & Safety, Factory Inspectorate, Labour Dept.) for licenses, NOCs, and periodic renewals.
- Handle import/export documentation and customs clearances within SEZ framework.
- Taxation & Regulatory Compliance
- Oversee SEZ-specific tax benefits, exemptions, and claims including Section 10AA income tax benefits.
- Coordinate with the finance and tax team for GST compliance, reverse charge mechanisms (RCM), and SEZ supply treatment.
- Manage TDS deductions, professional tax, and other statutory payroll-linked compliances for the facility.
- Assist in transfer pricing documentation and compliance relevant to SEZ entities.
- Track and respond to notices, queries, or show-cause notices from tax authorities in coordination with legal/finance teams.
- Facilities Management
- Oversee end-to-end facilities operations: office infrastructure, housekeeping, security, pantry, transport, and asset management.
- Manage preventive and corrective maintenance schedules for all electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, and IT infrastructure.
- Ensure workplace safety, health, and environment (SHE) compliance; conduct regular audits and drills.
- Maintain occupancy planning, seat allocation, and space utilization reporting for leadership.
- Lead office expansion, fit-out, or relocation projects within the SEZ, coordinating with co-developers and SEZ authorities.
- Manage employee transport operations, contracts, and route optimisation.
- Vendor & Contract Management
- Manage the full vendor lifecycle: shortlisting, RFQ/RFP, negotiation, onboarding, performance reviews, and off-boarding.
- Maintain AMC/SLA contracts for all facility service providers — housekeeping, security, catering, MEP, IT support, and transport.
- Drive cost optimisation through competitive bidding, rate renegotiations, and consolidation of vendors.
- Ensure vendor compliance with SEZ regulations (authorised vendors, domestic tariff area vs. SEZ supplies).
- Maintain a vendor master database, track renewals, insurance certificates, and statutory compliance documents.
- Administration & Office Operations
- Oversee travel desk, accommodation, visa processing, and event management for domestic and international visitors.
- Manage office assets, inventory, and ensure proper record-keeping for SEZ bond purposes.
- Maintain digital and physical records for all regulatory filings, government correspondence, and contracts.
- Drive process standardisation and automation in administration workflows.
- Handle expat and secondee support — work permits, FRRO registrations, and liaison with HR for relocation.
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Champion new ideas for facility optimisation, sustainability (energy efficiency, green initiatives), and cost reduction.
- Implement technology solutions (CAFM, visitor management, asset tracking tools) to enhance operational efficiency.
- Build and lead a high-performing admin team; mentor and develop team members.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, IT, and Legal to support business growth and employee experience.
Qualifications & Experience
- Education: Bachelors degree in Commerce, Business Administration, or related field.
- Experience: 8–10 years in office administration and facilities management within an IT/ITES/Technology company, with at least 4–5 years in an SEZ environment in Chennai or Tamil Nadu.
- SEZ Knowledge: Hands-on experience with SEEPZ/MEPZ/OMC or similar SEZ units; familiarity with LoP compliance, softex filings, APR submissions, and DC office liaisons.
- Taxation: Working knowledge of GST, TDS, income tax (Sec. 10AA), customs and FEMA as applicable to SEZ units.
- Finance: Strong command of accounts payable and receivable processes, budget management, and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent).
- Vendor Mgmt.: Proven track record in contract negotiations, vendor performance management, and cost optimisation.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication in English and Tamil; ability to liaise confidently with government officials, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.
- Mindset: Proactive, curious, and open to exploring new tools, technologies, and approaches to improve operational efficiency.
Key Competencies
- Technical & Functional
- SEZ Act, Rules & Customs regulations
- GST / TDS / Income Tax (Sec. 10AA)
- FEMA & foreign currency management
- Softex & STPI filings
- Accounts Payable & Receivable
- Budgeting & cost centre management
- ERP systems (SAP / Oracle / Tally)
- Contract drafting & management
- Facility management best practices
- Asset lifecycle management
- Behavioral & Leadership
- Strong stakeholder & government liaison
- Excellent written & verbal communication
- Negotiation & influencing skills
- Problem-solving & critical thinking
- Team leadership & mentoring
- High attention to detail & accuracy
- Adaptability & change management
- Entrepreneurial & innovative mindset
- Integrity & regulatory compliance culture
- Time management & multi-tasking