Assistant Manager / Sr. Assistant Manager / Manager – CEO’s Office :Kotak Education Foundation

Kotak Education Foundation It has been a rewarding sixteen years since we embarked on our mission to equip economically disadvantaged children and youth with education and foundational skills, galvanising them towards a better future. Our ‘Inch Wide Mile Deep’ approach, home-grown projects focussed on quality education for the low-income segment have been instrumental in shaping the success of our projects across India. KEF’s approach is primarily three-pronged:

a) holistic interventions with children and educators in school,
b) equitable scholarships for higher studies, and
c) vocational education and skills training for livelihood

Strengthening school leadership and teacher capacity building, creating a digital ecosystem and learning environment in schools, equipping middle school students with confidence and skills of communicative English, upskilling teachers to provide Foundational Literacy & Numeracy skills, and supporting districts in building and running Model Schools – these are key interventions run by KEF. KEF launched the Kotak Kanya Scholarship in 2021 to offer financial and academic support to meritorious girl students in pursuit of higher education from all over India. Kotak Junior Scholarship supports meritorious students from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in pursuing 11th and 12th standards.  KEF’s Vocational Education & Livelihood Project upskills unemployed youth from economically weaker sections of society and coaches them in domain know-how, the basics of IT and spoken English, life skills and personality development. It ensures placements for all eligible participants so they can stride with confidence into any professional sphere.

KEF is now at the cusp of change as it prepares for the next chapter in its journey toward empowering the youth with quality education and livelihood. Armed with its vast experience and expertise, the organisation now aims to scale its depth as well as the breadth of its reach. KEF’s philosophy is evolving from ‘school as a unit’ to working toward district/state-level education transformation. As KEF expands its ambit, it will help drive systemic reform and state education transformation to create long-term Impact at Scale.

Kotak Education Foundation is the primary implementing agency for the CSR initiatives of Kotak Mahindra Group in Education. Kotak Karma is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) identity of Kotak Mahindra Group Companies.

Position Manager: CEO’s Office
Level: Assistant Manager / Senior Assistant Manager / Manager
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Reportees: None

Role & Responsibilities:

Strategic Initiatives

• Works with the Strategy team in coordinating the CEO’s outreach activities
• Follows up on contacts made by the CEO and supports the cultivation of ongoing relationships

Board Support and Liaison

• Serves as the CEO’s administrative liaison to KEF’s board of trustees
• Maintains discretion and confidentiality in relationships with all board of trustees
• Adhere to compliance with applicable rules and regulations set in bylaws regarding board and board committee matters, including advance distribution of materials before meetings in electronic/paper format.

Senior Management Liaison

• Participates as an adjunct member of the Executive Team including assisting in scheduling meetings and attending all meetings
• Assists in coordinating the agenda of senior management team meetings and off-sites, and all-staff meetings. Responsible for written communications to internal & external stake holders

Executive Support:

• Communicates directly, and on behalf of the CEO, with Trustees, employees, consultants, and others, on matters related to CEO’s programmatic initiatives.
• Researches, prioritizes, and follows up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to the CEO, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature. Determines appropriate course of action, referral, or response.
• Completes a broad variety of administrative tasks for the CEO including managing an active calendar of appointments; completing expense reports; composing and preparing confidential correspondence; arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas; and compiling documents for travel-related meetings.
• Plans, coordinates and ensures the CEO’s schedule is followed and respected. Provides “gatekeeper” and “gateway” role, creating win-win situations for direct access to the CEO’s time and office.
• Provides a bridge for smooth communication between the CEO’s office and internal departments; demonstrating leadership to maintain credibility, trust and support with senior management staff.
• Works closely and effectively with the CEO to keep him well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately. Acts as a “barometer,” having a sense for the issues taking place in the environment and keeping the CEO updated.
• Provides leadership to build relationships crucial to the success of the organization, and manages a variety of special projects for the CEO, some of which may have organizational impact.
• Successfully completes critical aspects of deliverables with a hands-on approach, including drafting acknowledgement letters, personal correspondence, and other tasks that facilitate the CEO’s ability to effectively lead the Foundation.
• Prioritizes conflicting needs; handles matters expeditiously, proactively, and follows-through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.

Candidate Specifications:

Educational Qualification: 
Graduation / Post graduation in any discipline from a Tier-I educational institute

Years of Experience:  
The ideal candidate should possess a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in supporting a senior executive (CXO level). Candidates with similar experience in the social sector will be preferred

Work Skills: 

• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
• Forward looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions

Other Skills:
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board of trustees, external partners and donors

• Expert level written and verbal communication skills
• Strong computer and technology skills, with familiarity in using computer and web based applications (Microsoft Office Applications especially Excel, online portals for MIS)

Attributes:

• Demonstrates concern for accuracy and detail
• Ability to quickly build relationships and influence others without authority
• Values different points-of-view; remains open-minded to change
• Emotional maturity

Job Specifications:

Nature of job: Permanent
Location: HO – Mumbai (Chembur)
Hours of work: 8 hours 6 days a week
Working conditions: This job will also involve working in challenging community areas with infrastructural and other disadvantages

Benefits:

• Leave benefits from the date of joining
• Career progression opportunities
• 02 weekly offs every month apart from the Sunday fixed weekly off
• Coverage under Health Medical Insurance & Life Cover from date of joining
• Compensation: 6 to 12 lacs p.a. (depending upon the level & experience)

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. KEF reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet intervention and organizational needs as necessary.