Senior Manager - Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Entity: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction to the Aga Khan University:

The Aga Khan University (AKU) is an international, research-intensive university, chartered in 1983 as Pakistan’s first private university. It is dedicated to improving quality of life in Asia and Africa. Guided by the principles of IQRA – Impact, Quality, Relevance and Access – AKU’s vision is of inclusive, pluralistic societies where knowledge, compassion and ethical leadership drive positive change. Its mission is to educate outstanding women and men, generate and share research that addresses urgent health, education and development challenges, and provide exemplary care and learning environments in partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network. Across its campuses, teaching sites, and clinical settings, AKU combines global standards with deep local engagement, preparing graduates to serve as skilled professionals and principled leaders in their communities.\

Faculty of Arts and Sciences:

In 2022, AKU strategically expanded to add the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) to its world-renowned health professional training programmes and research strengths. The FAS is a transformative academic entity that empowers students through integrative and experiential learning. Rooted in the values of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), FAS emphasizes critical thinking and ethical leadership for its students to contribute to societal well-being. By combining a broad-based core curriculum, deep disciplinary expertise, practice experiences, and interdisciplinary integration, the faculty prepares students for meaningful careers and lifelong engagement with pressing global and local challenges.

FAS features four interdisciplinary majors in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Environmental Studies; Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; and Social Development Studies, with planned expansion of undergraduate programmes in data science and complementary graduate programmes.

AKU FAS invites applications for the position of Senior Manager. The Senior Manager, Administration & Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership for the administrative, financial, procurement, and support functions of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences. The position will be responsible for ensuring effective and efficient delivery of administrative services, sound financial management, adherence to institutional policies, and streamlined operational processes to support the academic and strategic objectives of FAS.

The incumbent will serve as a key administrative partner to the Dean and FAS leadership, providing timely advice on budgets, resource utilization, procurement, staffing, facilities, contracts, and operational matters. The role will also coordinate with central University departments including Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, Information Technology, Facilities Management, Legal, and other relevant functions to ensure seamless delivery of services to FAS.

The position will play a key role in building scalable administrative systems and processes for the growing Faculty, identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies, strengthening governance and controls, and ensuring effective utilization of financial and other resources.

Responsibilities:

You will essentially be responsible for:

1. Administration & Operations

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of FAS administrative and operational activities.
• Establish and continuously improve administrative processes, systems, and workflows to support the effective functioning of the Faculty.
• Ensure timely and efficient delivery of administrative services to faculty, staff, students, and FAS leadership.
• Develop and implement operational procedures in line with University policies and requirements.
• Identify operational gaps, inefficiencies, and duplication of effort and recommend appropriate improvements.
• Coordinate with relevant University departments to resolve operational issues and ensure timely service delivery.
• Develop appropriate service standards, controls, and performance indicators for administrative functions.
• Support the Dean and FAS leadership in strategic and operational planning.

1. Financial Planning & Budget Management

• Lead the annual budgeting and financial planning process for FAS in coordination with the Dean and relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor FAS budgets, expenditures, commitments, and financial performance.
• Provide regular financial reports, analysis, and variance explanations to FAS leadership.
• Ensure effective utilization of financial resources and adherence to approved budgets.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization and resource efficiencies without compromising academic and operational requirements.
• Support financial forecasting and multi-year financial planning for FAS.
• Coordinate with Finance on financial policies, reporting requirements, audits, and other financial matters.
• Review financial implications of new initiatives, programmes, faculty appointments, contracts, and other commitments.

1. Procurement & Vendor Management

• Oversee procurement activities for FAS in accordance with University procurement policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with Procurement and relevant departments for timely acquisition of goods and services.
• Review procurement requirements and support departments in developing appropriate specifications and scopes of work.
• Ensure appropriate financial and approval controls are followed for procurement transactions.
• Monitor major vendor contracts, service agreements, and renewals.
• Support vendor evaluation, negotiation, performance monitoring, and issue resolution.
• Identify opportunities for consolidation, cost savings, and improved procurement practices.

1. Resource & Workforce Administration

• Work closely with HR to support FAS workforce planning and administrative staffing requirements.
• Monitor administrative staffing levels, vacancies, organizational structures, and resource requirements.
• Support the development and review of administrative structures and roles as FAS evolves.
• Ensure appropriate allocation of administrative resources across departments/programmes.
• Provide operational input into recruitment, onboarding, position creation, and workforce-related matters.
• Monitor administrative workload and identify opportunities for process redesign, automation, or resource optimization.

1. Facilities & Infrastructure

• Coordinate with Facilities Management and other relevant functions to ensure appropriate infrastructure and facilities for FAS.
• Oversee administrative requirements related to offices, classrooms, meeting spaces, faculty spaces, and other FAS facilities.
• Support space planning and allocation in line with the Faculty's growth and operational requirements.
• Coordinate resolution of facilities, maintenance, security, and other operational issues.
• Contribute to planning for future infrastructure requirements based on FAS growth projections.

1. Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure FAS administrative and financial activities comply with University policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Establish appropriate administrative controls and approval mechanisms.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of audit observations related to FAS.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, records, and reporting mechanisms.
• Identify operational and financial risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure contracts, agreements, procurement activities, and other commitments follow appropriate governance processes.

1. Planning, Reporting & Analytics

• Develop and maintain operational dashboards and management reports covering key FAS indicators.
• Provide data-driven analysis to support decision-making by the Dean and FAS leadership.
• Track key indicators relating to budgets, staffing, procurement, space utilization, administrative workload, and operational performance.
• Prepare periodic reports and presentations for FAS leadership and relevant University committees.
• Support strategic planning exercises through financial, operational, and resource analysis.

1. Process Improvement & Digital Transformation

• Review existing administrative processes and identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, and automation.
• Lead or support initiatives aimed at improving administrative efficiency and user experience.
• Promote effective use of technology and institutional systems for administrative and financial management.
• Develop standardized processes, templates, guidelines, and service frameworks across FAS.
• Benchmark administrative practices against comparable academic institutions where appropriate.

1. Stakeholder Management

• Act as the key administrative liaison between FAS and central University functions.
• Develop effective working relationships with Finance, HR, Procurement, Facilities, IT, Legal, Communications, and other support departments.
• Work closely with Department Chairs, Programme Directors, faculty, and administrative staff to understand and address operational requirements.
• Represent FAS on relevant University committees and working groups as required.
• Facilitate effective communication and coordination across FAS administrative functions.

1. Team Leadership

• Lead, manage, and develop the FAS administrative/operations team.
• Define clear roles, responsibilities, performance expectations, and service standards.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Identify capability-building and training requirements for administrative staff.
• Ensure effective delegation and coordination across the administrative function.

Qualifications

Requirements:

You should have:

• a Master’s degree from HEC recognized university;
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in academic management, institutional planning, and partnerships including at least 5 years in a leadership or strategic advisory role. an understanding of the landscape in Higher Education in Pakistan and internationally
• demonstrated ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams, high-level projects, and complex academic or operational initiatives.
• strong administrative, organizational, and project management skills, with exceptional written and analytical abilities for business case development, reporting, and stakeholder communications. the ability to work very effectively with people from diverse backgrounds to bring them to consensus, and enable them to envision new possibilities
• good planning and management skills, with the ability to apply these skills in effective working partnerships across the University
• the ability to work in ill-defined situations, handle uncertainty and be self-driven

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.

Primary Location

Pakistan

Organisation

Aga Khan University Pakistan

Employee Status

Regular

Job Type

Standard

Job Posting

24/09/2026, 9:25:57 AM

Closing Date

08/10/2026, 6:59:00 PM