Chief Financial Officer (CFO) (Accounts & Finance)

Orchid University • Full-time • India • 2d ago

About Orchid University:

Orchid University is India’s first value-driven, skill-integrated intergenerational university, established with a transformative vision to redefine higher education by making it more accessible, industry-relevant, and strongly connected to employability and sustainable livelihoods.

Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Orchid University is building a future-ready academic ecosystem that bridges the gap between education and the evolving workforce demands of the global economy.

Driven by its Integrated SEEL Framework — Skilling, Education, Employment, and Livelihood — the University adopts a holistic and outcome-oriented approach towards higher education. Through its innovative “Industry as a Campus” model and industry-integrated pedagogy, Orchid University combines academic excellence with practical exposure, ensuring students gain real-world experience alongside classroom learning.

Supported by a growing network of 800+ industry partners, the University embeds structured On-the-Job Training (OJT), experiential learning, and skill development into its academic framework. Its Day-One Stipend-Based Internship and Placement Model enables students to “Earn While They Learn,” making quality higher education more inclusive, affordable, and career-focused.

Orchid University is committed to contributing towards India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by creating flexible, accessible, and future-oriented learning pathways for learners across diverse backgrounds and generations.

As an emerging institution in its expansion and institution-building phase, Orchid University offers a dynamic platform for passionate professionals, educators, innovators, and industry leaders to contribute meaningfully towards shaping the future of higher education in India. The University fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, impact, and leadership, empowering its people to build transformative educational experiences from the ground up.

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

Behavioral Competencies

Visionary leadership and strategic thinking.
Decision-Making & Problem-Solving
Leadership & Team Development
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Experience

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