Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Adamas University; Barasat; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Adamas University is seeking a Manager, Strategic Initiatives to partner with the Deputy CEO’s office, coordinating initiatives, engaging stakeholders, and driving execution across academic, administrative, regulatory, industry, and government bodies.

The role requires exceptional organization, discretion, strong communication, data analysis, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced university environment, acting as the Deputy CEO’s extension.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree preferred in Management, Administration, Public Policy, Education Management, or related field.
• Experience with senior executive support is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Coordination & Follow-Up: track initiatives, monitor timelines, follow up with Deans, Directors, Registrar, and stakeholders, escalate delays and risks, prepare dashboards and summaries.
• Communication Management: draft emails, reports, speeches, presentations, and official communications; review and ensure timely responses; represent the Deputy CEO in coordination discussions.
• Stakeholder Management: act as primary coordination point among academic leadership, administrative departments, industry partners, government agencies, and international collaborators; facilitate information flow.
• Meeting Governance: prepare agendas and materials, record decisions and actions, ensure closure of items, maintain records of meetings and reviews.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: develop executive dashboards and management reports; analyze performance data and support board/leadership presentations; assist in planning and monitoring.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis & reporting

Strategic planning support

Process improvement

Communication

Presentation development

Documentation

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Google Workspace

AI productivity tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in Management/Administration/Public Policy/Education Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

AI productivity tools

Job description

Position Summary

The Manager, Strategic Initiatives serves as a trusted partner, ensuring the effective functioning of the Deputy CEO's office through, strategic coordination, stakeholder engagement, project follow-up, and executive communication support.

The role requires exceptional organizational ability, discretion, business acumen, strong communication skills, and the capability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced university environment involving academic, administrative, regulatory, industry, government, and international stakeholders.

Act as an extension of the Deputy CEO's office, driving execution, ensuring accountability, and facilitating decision-making across the institution.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Coordination & Follow-Up

• Track key institutional initiatives, projects, and action items originating from the Deputy CEO's office.
• Monitor progress against timelines and deliverables.
• Follow up with Deans, Directors, Registrar, functional heads, and external stakeholders.
• Escalate delays, risks, and dependencies appropriately.
• Prepare project status dashboards and executive summaries.

Communication Management

• Draft professional emails, reports, speeches, presentations, and official communications.
• Review correspondence before submission to the Deputy CEO.
• Ensure timely responses to internal and external communications.
• Represent the Deputy CEO's office in coordination discussions when required.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a primary coordination point between the me and:
• Academic leadership
• Administrative departments
• Industry partners
• Government agencies
• International collaborators
• Facilitate smooth information flow across stakeholders.

Meeting Governance

• Prepare agendas, briefing packs, and background materials.
• Record key decisions and action points.
• Ensure closure of assigned action items.
• Maintain records of executive committee meetings and strategic reviews.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Develop executive dashboards and management reports.
• Analyze institutional performance data and present insights.
• Support preparation of Board, Governing Body, and leadership review presentations.
• Assist in institutional planning and monitoring activities.

Confidentiality & Governance

• Handle sensitive information with the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and governance protocols.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation for executive decision-making.

Desired Candidate Profile

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree in Management, Administration, Public Policy, Education Management, or related field preferred.

Experience

• About 5 years of experience supporting senior executives.
• Experience in higher education, professional services, or large organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex stakeholder environments.

Skills & Competencies:

Business & Strategic Skills

• Project management
• Stakeholder management
• Data analysis and reporting
• Strategic planning support
• Process improvement

Communication

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Professional presentation development
• Documentation and report preparation

Technology

• Advanced Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Google Workspace
• AI productivity tools

Behavioural Competencies

• Absolute integrity and confidentiality
• High ownership and accountability
• Strong execution orientation
• Ability to influence without authority
• Excellent judgment and discretion
• Detail orientation with strategic thinking capability
• Ability to work under pressure and manage ambiguity

Professional maturity in dealing with senior stakeholders