Chief Financial Officer

Orchid University • Full-time • Noida, IN • 22h ago

Orchid University is India’s first value-driven, skill-based intergenerational university, established with a bold vision—to transform higher education into a pathway of dignity, livelihood, and purpose for every learner.

Built on the belief that education must lead to meaningful employment and holistic human development, Orchid University is more than an academic institution; it is a nation-building movement aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At a time when nearly 80% of Indian youth do not transition into higher education due to barriers of affordability, access, and relevance, Orchid University offers a transformative alternative. By integrating education, skills, employment, and livelihood into one seamless ecosystem, the university creates opportunities for learners to earn while they learn, ensuring that financial constraints never become a barrier to educational aspirations.

What sets Orchid University apart is its pioneering Industry-as-Campus Model, where learning extends beyond classrooms into real workplaces. Supported by a strong network of 800+ corporate partners, industry leaders, and Fortune 500 organizations, the university ensures that every program remains aligned with evolving workforce needs and future skills.

Through its unique Day-One Stipend-Based Internship and Placement Model, students begin gaining practical industry experience and earning opportunities from the start of their academic journey. This innovative approach bridges the gap between education and employability while enabling students to pursue their dreams with financial independence and confidence.

Backed by the expertise of Distil Education Group, a leader in skill development and employability solutions, and guided by a distinguished board comprising industrialists, academicians, philanthropists, Padma Shri awardees, diplomats, and policymakers, Orchid University combines academic excellence with real-world impact.

Beyond skills and careers, Orchid University is built on the values of compassion, inclusion, and social responsibility. Its unique intergenerational ecosystem—integrating an on-campus orphanage and old-age home—creates meaningful opportunities for students to develop empathy, emotional intelligence, leadership, and character alongside professional competence.

With global collaborations across multiple countries, a growing ecosystem of industry and institutional partners, and a vision to impact over 100,000 learners, Orchid University is nurturing a new generation of professionals who are not only job-ready and future-ready but also deeply rooted in values and committed to societal progress.

Position Overview:

Orchid University is seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the University’s financial vision, governance, and growth strategy during its expansion phase. The ideal candidate should bring strong expertise from the staffing or workforce solutions industry, with a deep understanding of scalable business models, compliance frameworks, cash flow management, operational finance, and investor engagement.

The CFO will play a critical leadership role in driving financial sustainability, institutional growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation while supporting the University’s mission of transforming education and employability.

Functional Responsibilities:

1. Financial Strategy & Planning

Develop and execute long-term financial strategies aligned with organizational growth objectives
Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes
Drive financial modeling for expansion, new business initiatives, and strategic partnerships
Support leadership in investment planning, fundraising strategy, and capital allocation
Build scalable financial systems and frameworks for a rapidly growing institution
Analyze market trends, revenue opportunities, and financial risks to support strategic decision-making
Partner with leadership teams to align financial goals with operational priorities

2. Risk Management & Compliance

Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, tax, audit, and governance requirements
Develop strong internal controls, financial policies, and risk mitigation frameworks
Monitor legal and financial risks associated with partnerships, vendor agreements, and operations
Lead internal and external audit processes and ensure timely closures
Ensure adherence to UGC regulations, financial governance standards, and applicable laws
Drive ethical financial practices and organizational transparency
Strengthen financial governance and fraud prevention mechanisms

3. Financial Management & Reporting

Oversee end-to-end financial operations including accounting, treasury, taxation, payroll, and MIS
Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements, management reports, and dashboards
Monitor cash flow, working capital, and fund utilization across departments
Lead financial reporting for leadership, board members, and investors
Establish robust financial analytics and performance tracking mechanisms
Optimize financial processes through automation and technology integration
Ensure strong cost accounting and profitability analysis frameworks

4. Leadership & Team Management

Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing finance and accounts team
Create a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Strengthen financial awareness and governance across departments
Partner with HR and leadership teams for workforce planning and operational budgeting
Support cross-functional decision-making through financial insights and strategic guidance
Drive process excellence and capability development within the finance function

5. Investor & Stakeholder Management

Manage relationships with investors, auditors, banking partners, and key stakeholders
Present financial insights, business performance, and strategic recommendations to leadership and board members
Support fundraising initiatives, financial due diligence, and strategic collaborations
Ensure transparent communication and reporting to stakeholders
Strengthen institutional credibility through strong financial governance and compliance practices

6. Cost Control & Efficiency

Develop and implement cost optimization strategies across functions
Monitor operational expenses and improve financial efficiency without compromising quality
Identify opportunities for process optimization and resource utilization
Drive profitability and sustainable growth through financial discipline
Implement KPI-driven cost management frameworks
Support procurement and vendor management strategies to optimize operational expenditure

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Financial Planning & Business Forecasting
Financial Governance & Regulatory Compliance
Risk Assessment & Internal Controls
Budgeting, MIS & Financial Reporting
Cash Flow & Working Capital Management
Cost Optimization & Profitability Management
Investor Relations & Stakeholder Management
Financial Modeling & Business Analysis
Operational Finance & Process Excellence
ERP & Financial Systems Management
Industry Partnership & Business Expansion Strategy
Negotiation & Vendor Management
Audit Management & Taxation

PREFERRED EXPERINECE

10–15+ years of experience in finance & accounting
Proven experience in a leadership role (CFO / Finance Head / Controller)
Preferred experience in Staffing & Workforce Solutions, Education / EdTech / Universities, Skill Development & Training Organizations or Service-Based Organizations

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS