WE ARE HIRING | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (CAO)

Meenakshi Sundararajan Group of Institutions (MSGI)

Kodambakkam, Chennai

Meenakshi Sundararajan Group of Institutions (MSGI) is looking for an experienced and dynamic *Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)* to lead the overall administrative and operational functions of our Kodambakkam campus.

The CAO will play a key leadership role in ensuring efficient campus operations, infrastructure management, safety, security, facilities, procurement, vendor management and administrative governance.

POSITION

*Designation:* Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

*Location:* Kodambakkam, Chennai

*Department:* Administration

*Reporting To:* Secretary / Management

*Employment Type:* Full-time

*Experience:* 15+ years in senior administration / institutional operations / facilities management

ROLE PURPOSE

The CAO will be responsible for the overall administrative and operational excellence of the MSGI campus.

The role requires a hands-on leader who can translate Management decisions into effective execution, establish strong systems and SOPs, lead administrative teams, ensure campus readiness and maintain high standards of safety, discipline, service quality and operational efficiency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Institutional Administration

* Lead the overall administrative operations of the campus.

* Develop and implement administrative policies, SOPs, systems and processes.

* Ensure timely execution of Management decisions and institutional requirements.

* Coordinate effectively with the Principal, COO, HODs and functional heads.

* Monitor administrative performance and resolve operational challenges.

2. Infrastructure & Facilities

* Oversee campus infrastructure, buildings, classrooms, laboratories and common facilities.

* Manage civil, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, DG, lift, water and other facility-related services.

* Establish preventive maintenance systems and ensure timely breakdown resolution.

* Monitor renovation, refurbishment and infrastructure projects.

3. Safety & Security

* Lead campus safety, security and emergency preparedness initiatives.

* Supervise security operations, access control, CCTV and visitor management.

* Monitor fire, electrical, building and workplace safety.

* Conduct regular campus inspections and ensure closure of safety observations.

* Develop and periodically review emergency response procedures.

4. Housekeeping & Campus Services

* Oversee housekeeping, cleanliness, hygiene and campus presentation.

* Monitor manpower deployment, attendance,



discipline and service standards.

* Establish inspection checklists and service-level standards.

* Ensure timely resolution of cleanliness and facility-related complaints.

5. Procurement & Vendor Management

* Oversee administrative procurement and vendor coordination.

* Review quotations, comparative statements, purchase requirements and service contracts.

* Develop and manage an approved vendor network.

* Monitor vendor performance, AMC contracts, service quality and timelines.

* Support cost-effective and transparent procurement.

6. Budget & Cost Control

* Prepare and monitor the annual administrative budget.

* Track infrastructure, maintenance, security, housekeeping and procurement expenditure.

* Identify opportunities for cost optimization.

* Ensure effective utilization of institutional resources.

7. Asset & Inventory Management

* Maintain effective systems for asset and inventory management.

* Ensure periodic physical verification and proper documentation.

* Monitor utilization, movement, maintenance and replacement of institutional assets.

8. Team Leadership

* Lead administrative, maintenance, security, housekeeping and support teams.

* Establish clear responsibilities, accountability and performance standards.

* Conduct periodic performance reviews and support team development.

* Coordinate with HR on manpower, discipline, attendance and employee-related matters.

9. MIS & Management Reporting

* Prepare and present periodic Administrative MIS to Management.

* Track maintenance, safety, procurement, vendors, manpower, expenditure and pending activities.

* Maintain action trackers for Management instructions.

* Escalate critical issues and delays with appropriate recommendations.

10. Institutional Events & Special Projects

* Provide administrative and logistical support for admissions, examinations, events, conferences, inspections and institutional programmes.

* Coordinate campus readiness, security, facilities, housekeeping and logistics.

* Undertake special projects and responsibilities assigned by Management.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

*Essential:*

* Graduate / Postgraduate degree in Administration,



Management, Engineering, Law or a related discipline.

* *15+ years of relevant experience*, with significant experience in a senior administrative / operations leadership role.

* Strong experience in infrastructure, facilities, maintenance, safety, security, procurement and vendor management.

* Experience managing multiple administrative and support-service teams.

*Preferred:*

* Experience in an educational institution, university, hospital, corporate campus or large organization.

* MBA / PG qualification in Management or a related field.

* Strong exposure to budgeting, MIS, SOP development and process improvement.

* Experience with ERP / digital administrative systems.

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

* Strategic & Operational Administration

* Campus & Facilities Management

* Infrastructure & Maintenance

* Safety & Risk Management

* Security Management

* Procurement & Vendor Management

* Budget & Cost Control

* Team Leadership

* Crisis & Emergency Management

* Stakeholder Management

* Negotiation & Decision Making

* MIS & Reporting

* SOP & Process Development

* Problem Solving

* Strong Execution & Follow-through

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

The CAO will be evaluated on:

* Operational efficiency of the campus

* Infrastructure and maintenance performance

* Safety and security standards

* Housekeeping and campus service quality

* Procurement efficiency and vendor performance

* Budget adherence and cost optimization

* Administrative team productivity

* Asset and inventory control

* Timeliness and accuracy of MIS

* Execution of Management instructions

* Timely closure of administrative issues

IDEAL CANDIDATE

We are looking for a *mature, proactive and hands-on administrative leader* who can independently manage a large institutional environment, anticipate operational requirements, solve problems quickly and build systems that improve efficiency.

The ideal candidate should have robust leadership, communication, negotiation, decision-making and execution skills, along with the ability to work closely with senior Management and academic leadership.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES

Candidates with relevant experience and a strong background in institutional administration / campus operations / facilities management are invited to apply.

Location: Kodambakkam, Chennai

Position: Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

- Join MSGI and contribute to building a professionally managed, safe, efficient and future-ready institutional campus.

📌 Chief Administrative Officer (Chennai)
🏢 Meenakshi Sundararajan Group of Institutions
📍 Chennai