Chief Operating Officer Western Sydney University India

• Full-time, Senior-level position on an initial 12-month fixed-term appointment.
• Based in Noida, India, leading WSU’s new campus operations.
• Competitive senior-level remuneration, commensurate with experience.

Lead the establishment, operations and sustainable growth of Western Sydney University’s India campus in Noida.

The Opportunity
In this role, you will provide senior in-country leadership for Western Sydney University’s operations in India and play a central role in establishing and growing its campus in Noida. Working closely with University leaders in Australia, you will translate strategic priorities into effective local delivery while maintaining alignment with the University’s India strategy and One University approach.

You will lead campus operations across academic delivery support, finance, governance, people and culture, marketing, student recruitment, student services, information technology, security and external engagement. You will be responsible for executing the India business plan, managing operating budgets and ensuring major initiatives are delivered against agreed milestones and regulatory requirements.

You will represent the University with central and state government bodies, the University Grants Commission, accreditation agencies, industry partners and other senior stakeholders. Through effective governance, risk management, workforce planning and performance reporting, you will support a safe, inclusive and sustainable campus that delivers strong outcomes for students, staff and partners.

What Success Looks Like:

• Establish and implement an integrated campus operations model aligned with the University’s India strategy and regulatory obligations.
• Deliver the India business plan through effective governance, financial management, workforce planning and operational leadership.
• Build productive relationships with government bodies, regulators, accreditation agencies and strategic partners.
• Maintain effective risk, compliance, safety, security and business continuity arrangements for the India campus.
• Build capable in-country teams and coordinate services that support student recruitment, experience, academic delivery and employability outcomes.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• Postgraduate qualifications in business, management, higher education, public administration or a related discipline are highly desirable, together with substantial senior leadership experience in a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational teams and establishing or managing an international entity, campus, joint venture or representative office in India.
• Experience working with boards, governance committees and senior stakeholders in a university, government body, multinational organisation or large not-for-profit entity.
• Strong knowledge of Indian and Australian, or comparable multinational, regulatory and operating environments.
• Excellent communication, influencing and advocacy skills, with fluency in English and working knowledge of Hindi preferred.
• Capacity to undertake regular domestic and international travel.
• Capacity to work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, when required for operations and senior stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to meet applicable pre-employment and ongoing screening requirements in India and Australia.
• Evidence of the right to work in India for the full term of the appointment, unless employer-sponsored work authorisation is approved.
   

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Dr Nisha Rakhesh, Director, Global Initiatives and Engagement via [email protected]. Please include the job reference code REF1792H.
• Closing Date: 7:30pm Indian Standard Time, Tuesday 8 September 2026.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. You must submit:
  • a current curriculum vitae; and
  • a cover letter of no more than two pages outlining your suitability for the position, including your experience establishing or managing operations in India, leading complex operational portfolios, working across multinational regulatory environments, and engaging with boards, government bodies and regulators.
• As part of your online application, you will also be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experience and skills required for this position.

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.