Head of Campus Operations & Development

About SCU

SCU is a leading higher education institution in Sri Lanka, committed to delivering globally relevant academic programs and fostering international partnerships. As part of its strategic international expansion, SCU is establishing a new branch campus in Chennai, India.

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Head of Campus Operations & Development to lead the founding phase of the Chennai centre and play a pivotal role in establishing SCU's presence in the Indian market.

The Opportunity:

This is a founding leadership position offering the opportunity to build and shape a new international education centre from the ground up.

The Head of Campus Operations & Development will oversee the end-to-end establishment and operational launch of the Chennai campus, including infrastructure development, regulatory coordination, recruitment of the initial team, and the rollout of academic and administrative operations.

Working closely with the senior leadership team in Sri Lanka, the Head of Campus Operations & Development will act as the local leader responsible for building a high-performing, sustainable campus operation.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the planning, setup, and operational launch of the Chennai campus.

Oversee facility development, IT infrastructure, and operational systems.

Manage relationships with local contractors, service providers, and vendors.

Lead the initial recruitment of academic and administrative staff.

Establish operational structures, reporting processes, and workflows.

Coordinate with government authorities and regulatory bodies.

Ensure compliance with local regulatory and statutory requirements.

Support student recruitment initiatives and develop local partnerships.

Manage the campus setup budget and monitor operational expenditure.

Provide regular operational and financial reports to senior leadership.

Develop and implement strategic plan for campus growth and academic excellence in collaboration with senior leadership.

Candidate Profile:

Experience:

Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience including at least 4 years of managerial experience. Experience in higher education, international education, academic administration, or institutional operations will be advantageous. Prior involvement in establishing a new campus, Centre, or business unit will be highly desirable

Education:

A Bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business administration, Management, Education Management, or a related discipline or a recognized professional qualification.

Skills & Competencies:

Strong project management and organizational capability.

Demonstrated leadership and team-building experience.

Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.

Risk management and crisis response capability.

Strong problem-solving ability and entrepreneurial mindset.

Excellent communication skills in English and Tamil.

Local Expertise:

Understanding of the Chennai business ecosystem and regulatory environment.

Familiarity with vendor networks and local administrative processes.

Place of work Chennai, India

Reporting to Chief Operating Officer (COO) SCU, Sri Lanka

Why Join SCU Chennai

Opportunity to play a founding leadership role in establishing a new international education centre.

Work with a globally connected higher education institution.

High level of autonomy and strategic responsibility.

Competitive compensation package with performance-based incentives.

Website: https://scu.lk/