Chief Administrative Officer-East Africa, Office of the President

Role Overview

Aga Khan University is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer to lead administrative operations across its East African campuses, with the position based in Kenya and reporting to the President. This executive will unify facilities, procurement, security, project delivery, and general administration into a cohesive service function that directly supports the University’s academic, research, and clinical missions. The role is central to translating AKU’s strategic vision into reliable, efficient, and sustainable regional operations while managing complex multi-site priorities and long-term partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and execute a regional administrative strategy for all East African sites, ensuring consistent delivery of professional, technical, and operational services that align with AKU’s institutional goals.
• Design and oversee strategic projects from concept to completion, including budget development, scheduling, quality control, and contract negotiation.
• Evaluate business risks and trade-offs, making decisions that balance optimal outcomes with compliance to quality standards, policies, and financial targets.
• Build and implement a supply chain strategy that reflects organizational priorities, budget realities, and evolving operational needs.
• Provide governance and strategic direction for the Arusha campus, covering financial oversight, property and land management, tenant and lease arrangements, security, asset development, and long-term site sustainability.
• Foster strategic relationships with regional and local stakeholders, and work alongside AKDN leadership to ensure cross-functional collaboration and partnership.
• Support the Office of the President in overseeing regional security while guiding campus environmental health and safety programs in line with global best practices and local laws.
• Develop performance measurement tools and metrics, professional development plans, and communication protocols that build a coordinated, detail-oriented, and visible team culture.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A degree in Commerce, Engineering, or a related discipline from a recognized university; an MBA from a reputable institution is advantageous.
• At least 15 years of professional experience, including 5–10 years leading a strategic operational function such as procurement, facilities management, or administrative services within a large, multicultural organization—ideally in the not-for-profit sector.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial drive and a business leadership record of achieving results through the development and management of highly trained technical staff.
• Proven effectiveness in strategic planning across both micro and macro projects.
• Track record of evaluating organizational structures, workflows, and systems to improve performance.
• Success in leading transformational cost rationalization and energy cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience developing outsourcing strategies and deploying integrated vendor management.
• Background in transforming, consolidating, and streamlining complex organizations and processes.
• Commitment to diversity and serving the needs of a diverse community, with the ability to work across disciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Financial acumen and quantitative capability, supported by excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A drive to advocate for and commit to ongoing training and development that fosters a learning culture within the department.
• Genuine passion and professional affinity for an organization dedicated to an enterprise-wide sustainability ethic.