Senior Operations Manager

ESP Engineered; Kerala; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Engineered in Kerala seeks a Senior Operations Manager to lead end-to-end campus and hostel operations across multiple locations, ensuring governance, compliance, cost efficiency, and high service standards.

You will steer cross-functional teams, manage budgets, contract vendors, and drive process improvements, infrastructure readiness, and strategic initiatives to support institutional growth and scalable operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in operations management, campus administration, facility management, or hostel operations.
• Experience managing multi-location operations and large teams preferred.
• Experience in educational institutions or residential campuses is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee campus and hostel operations across all locations.
• Monitor performance, drive efficiency, and ensure service quality.
• Ensure SOP and SLA compliance and manage operational risks.
• Lead budgeting, cost management, and vendor contracts.
• Coordinate asset/infrastructure maintenance and readiness.
• Drive strategic initiatives and special projects for expansion.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Operations governance

Budgeting

Job description

The Senior Operations Manager will be responsible for leading and managing end-to-end operations across all campuses and hostels, ensuring operational excellence, compliance, cost efficiency, infrastructure readiness, and high service standards. The role requires strong leadership capabilities to manage cross-functional operational teams, streamline processes, maintain governance frameworks, and support organizational growth through strategic operational planning and execution.

The ideal candidate should possess strong operational management experience in multi-location environments, excellent people management skills, and the ability to drive efficiency while maintaining quality and compliance standards.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Operations Governance & Control

• Oversee and manage overall campus and hostel operations across all assigned locations.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency, productivity, and service quality.
• Ensure strict compliance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Identify operational risks proactively and implement preventive and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day functioning of campuses, hostels, kitchens, transport, housekeeping, and related operational activities.

2. Budgeting & Cost Management

• Prepare, manage, and monitor operational budgets for campuses and hostel facilities.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives while maintaining service quality and operational standards.
• Manage vendor contracts, pricing negotiations, and performance evaluations.
• Lead, supervise, and manage operational teams across campuses and hostels.
• Establish structured task allocation, workflow management, and performance tracking systems.
• Conduct regular team reviews, operational meetings, and performance evaluations.

4. Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with hygiene, safety, security, and operational standards across all facilities.
• Conduct regular operational inspections and audits to maintain quality benchmarks.

5. Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects

• Lead and execute special operational projects, including infrastructure expansion, renovations, assessments, events, and new campus setup activities.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and process automation.
• Develop systems and strategies to enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and service delivery.
• Support organizational growth initiatives through operational planning and execution.
• Collaborate with management on long-term operational strategy and expansion plans.

6. Asset & Infrastructure Management

• Oversee procurement activities, including quotation evaluation, vendor coordination, and purchase approvals.
• Ensure proper maintenance and lifecycle management of all operational assets and infrastructure.
• Conduct periodic asset verification and audits to ensure accountability and optimal utilization.
• Coordinate maintenance, repairs, and infrastructure upgrades across campuses and hostels.
• Ensure infrastructure readiness aligned with organizational and admission requirements.

7. Admission Operations & Capacity Planning

• Manage hostel and campus allocation planning based on admission forecasts and occupancy requirements.
• Coordinate with academic and administrative teams to ensure infrastructure preparedness for admissions.
• Oversee construction, renovation, and facility readiness activities.
• Ensure efficient space utilization and operational scalability to support organizational growth.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in operations management, campus administration, facility management, or hostel operations.
• Prior experience managing multi-location operations and large operational teams is preferred.
• Experience in educational institutions, residential campuses, hostels, or large-scale operational environments will be an added advantage.