General Manager Administration

About This Job

Podar Education Network

Location: Maharashtra, India, India

Work Mode: On-site

Industry: Education,Administrative and Support Services,Office Administration

General Manager – Administration & Transport

Location: Maharashtra (Regular travel would be required within assigned region/s)

Key Purpose: To provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all non-academic administrative functions across the school network, ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and well-maintained campuses that deliver an excellent experience for students, parents, staff, and visitors. A General Manager will be mainly responsible for leading and standardizing all administrative operations across multiple school units, training of staff, ensuring efficient functioning, statutory compliance, cost optimization, and high service standards while supporting the academic mission of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Administrative Operations

Develop and implement standardized administrative policies and SOPs across all schools.Ensure smooth day-to-day functioning of administrative departments.Drive operational excellence and process improvements.Monitor administrative KPIs and service quality.

• Facilities & Infrastructure Management

Oversee maintenance of school buildings, classrooms, laboratories, sports facilities, and common areas.Ensure preventive and corrective maintenance schedules are followed.Coordinate renovation, expansion, and infrastructure projects.Monitor housekeeping and campus cleanliness standards.

• Transport - Bus Fleet Management

Supervise school transport operations across locations.Ensure compliance with transport safety regulations.Monitor GPS tracking, fleet maintenance, driver performance, and route optimization.Handle transport-related vendor management.All Transport Compliances

• Security & Safety

Develop campus security protocols.Supervise security agencies and deployment.Ensure implementation of fire safety norms and emergency preparedness.Conduct regular safety audits and mock drills.Ensure compliance with child safety policies.

• Vendor & Contract Management

Identify and onboard quality service providers.Negotiate contracts and service agreements.Monitor vendor performance through SLAs.Ensure timely renewal of contracts and statutory documentation.

• Procurement & Asset Management

Oversee procurement of non-academic materials and services.Standardize purchasing practices across schools.Monitor inventory and asset lifecycle management.Ensure optimal utilization of organizational resources.

• Statutory Compliance and Agreements

Ensure compliance with applicable education, labour, municipal, fire, health, environmental, and safety regulations.Coordinate inspections by government authorities.Maintain all statutory licenses and certifications.Ensure documentation and audit readiness.

• Budget & Cost Control

Prepare annual administrative budgets.Monitor operational expenditure.Identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising quality.Track budget utilization and variance analysis.

• Housekeeping & Hospitality

Standardize housekeeping practices.Ensure hygienic campus environment.Oversee cafeteria and hospitality services where applicable.Monitor quality standards across campuses.

• Event & Logistics Management

Support logistics for school events, examinations, annual functions, and corporate meetings.Coordinate infrastructure requirements for large-scale programs.

• Team Leadership and Training

Lead regional and school administration teams.Coach, mentor, and develop administrative staff.Conduct performance reviews.Build a culture of accountability and customer service.

• Risk Management

Identify operational risks.Develop business continuity and contingency plans.Manage crisis response during emergencies.Ensure insurance compliance and risk mitigation measures.

• Stakeholder Management

Collaborate with Principals, Regional Heads, HR, Finance, Procurement, and IT.Address parent and stakeholder concerns related to administrative services.Build strong relationships with government authorities and external agencies.

• Administrative Audit & Compliance

Conduct periodic administrative audits across schools to ensure adherence to organizational policies and statutory requirements.Identify operational gaps and implement corrective and preventive action plans.Monitor compliance with education, labour, fire, health, environmental, and local statutory regulations.Prepare audit reports and present recommendations to senior management.

• Grievance Redressal

Act as the regional escalation point for administrative grievances raised by parents, vendors, and school leadership.Investigate concerns objectively and facilitate timely resolution.Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and service excellence.Support Principals in resolving operational and administrative challenges.

• Stakeholder Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with Principals, School Leadership Teams, parents, franchise partners (where applicable), government authorities, vendors, and local communities.Represent the organization in meetings with regulatory bodies and external stakeholders.Ensure high levels of stakeholder satisfaction through proactive communication and effective service delivery.

• Business Development Support

Support regional business development initiatives, including new school launches, expansion projects, admissions support, and market development activities.Build relationships with local influencers, educational bodies, corporate organizations, and community groups.Assist in identifying growth opportunities and strengthening the organizations presence within the region.Collaborate with admissions and marketing teams to support enrolment growth and brand visibility.

Educational Qualifications

Bachelors Degree in any discipline (mandatory).MBA/PGDM in Operations, Administration, Facilities Management, or General Management preferred.Certifications in Facility Management, Safety, Project Management, or Quality Management are desirable.

Experience

15–20 years of progressive experience in administration, facilities, operations, or corporate services.Minimum 5–8 years in a senior leadership role managing multiple locations.Experience in the education sector, hospitality, healthcare, or large service organizations is preferred.Proven experience in managing multi-site administrative operations.

Other Requirements

Language: Proficiency in Marathi (spoken) is mandatory. Knowledge of English and Hindi with excellent verbal and written communication skills is essential.Age Criteria: Preferred age between 45 to 55 years.