Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Nirmala Devi Foundation | Greenfield University Project
Location: Sikkim and Siliguri, with travel across India as required
Employment: Full-time, Executive Leadership
Proposed university launch: Autumn 2028
Nirmala Devi Foundation is establishing a new university in Sikkim and is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer to join the project at an important stage of its development.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for a finance professional who is comfortable working in a developing organisation and who can combine sound financial management with strategic thinking. The successful candidate will help establish the financial systems, governance arrangements and funding strategy required to support the university’s development and future operations.
The CFO will work closely with the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the development of the university’s long-term financial strategy and feasibility models.
- Prepare financial projections for campus development, infrastructure, staffing and academic operations.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management and capital expenditure.
- Develop fundraising and funding strategies involving donors, grants, institutional partnerships and project finance.
- Build and maintain relationships with banks, financial advisers, Chartered Accountants and external auditors.
- Establish the Finance & Accounts function, including appropriate policies, procedures and internal controls.
- Advise senior leadership on financial planning, resource allocation and the sustainability of expansion plans.
- Support the establishment of suitable banking and financial arrangements for the Foundation and university project.
- Oversee applicable tax, regulatory and compliance matters, including Income Tax, GST, CSR and relevant higher-education requirements.
- Work with HR and academic leadership on salary structures, workforce planning and departmental budgets.
- Provide regular financial reports and recommendations to the sponsoring body and university leadership.
Candidate profile
The ideal candidate will have:
- A Chartered Accountancy qualification, preferably, or an MBA/master’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics or a related discipline.
- Around 7–15 years of relevant experience in finance leadership, corporate finance, strategic planning, budgeting or financial analysis.
- Experience managing institutional budgets, capital projects, financial feasibility studies or large-scale development programmes.
- A strong understanding of Indian tax, banking, financial reporting and corporate structuring requirements.
- Excellent judgement, communication skills and the ability to work independently in a growing organisation.
- A practical and solution-oriented approach, with the confidence to establish systems and processes from the ground up.
You do not need to meet every point listed above to apply. If you believe this opportunity is aligned with your experience, abilities and career goals and you are genuinely interested in contributing to the development of a new university we would be pleased to hear from you.
The opportunity
The CFO will have the opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the financial and organisational foundations of a new university. This role will suit a senior finance professional who is looking for meaningful responsibility, direct engagement with institutional leadership and the chance to contribute to a long-term education initiative.
The compensation package will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s experience and suitability for the role. Further details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
How to apply
Please email your updated CV to:
nirmaladeviuniversity@gmail.com
Subject: Application for Chief Financial Officer – Greenfield University Project
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Please share this opportunity with suitable finance professionals in your network.
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