Job Description

University Service Management Private Entity is a dynamic organization responsible for overseeing operational, administrative, infrastructure, and strategic support functions within a modern university environment. The Entity plays a key role in ensuring efficient management of university services, development projects, operational excellence, and institutional sustainability.

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader for the position of General Director to provide strategic and operational leadership and drive the continued development of the organization.

The General Director performs the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership and general oversight of the activities of the Private Entity “University Service Management” (the “Entity”).
• In accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Charter of the Entity:
  • lead the Executive Board, convene its meetings, and organize its work in accordance with the relevant regulations;
  • ensure implementation of decisions made by the Founder, Supervisory Board, and Executive Board;
  • coordinate and oversee the financial and operational activities of the Entity;
  • organize and coordinate strategic initiatives and projects, including the development and implementation of strategic plans and monitoring of their execution as approved by the Founder;
  • supervise strategic planning, risk management, legal matters, and other areas within the scope of authority established by the Charter, internal regulations, and governance framework of the Entity.
• Upon agreement with the Founder:
  • appoint and dismiss the Chief Accountant;
  • determine remuneration terms and conditions for the Chief Accountant;
  • decide on bonuses, incentives, and disciplinary measures applicable to the Chief Accountant.
• Act on behalf of the Entity without a power of attorney in relations with third parties and enter into agreements and contracts.
• Represent the interests of the Entity before governmental authorities, organizations, and other institutions.
• Issue powers of attorney for representation of the Entity before third parties.
• Open and manage bank accounts of the Entity.
• Hire, transfer, and dismiss employees of the Entity, apply incentives and disciplinary measures, determine remuneration conditions, except for cases reserved to the competence of the Founder or Supervisory Board.
• Approve regulations on structural divisions and the staffing structure of the Entity within the approved headcount and budget limits delegated by the Founder.
• Approve job descriptions of employees of the Entity.
• Delegate responsibilities to members of the Executive Board during temporary absence.
• Issue orders, instructions, and approve internal documents within the scope of authority.
• Exercise other powers indicated in the Charter and decisions of the Founder.

Organizational Leadership

The General Director:

• distributes duties, authority, and areas of responsibility among the Financial Director, Executive Director, Development Director, Director for Construction and Production, Administrative Director, Director for Building Service Support, and Advisor;
• supervises and coordinates their activities.

Accountability

The General Director shall be accountable for:

• ensuring the quality, transparency, and effectiveness of the Entity’s operations in line with its Charter and strategic objectives;
• disclosure and prevention of potential or actual conflicts of interest in transactions, recruitment, procurement, and management decisions in accordance with applicable internal regulations;
• maintaining systematic, operational, and effective interaction with the Founder, including implementation of decisions, reporting on operational and strategic matters, execution of assignments, and participation in meetings and other communication formats within the scope of the Entity’s activities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, Finance, Engineering, Law, or a related field, preferably from an Institution with English language of instruction;
• Significant senior leadership experience in large organizations, higher education institutions, infrastructure, service management, or corporate environments;
• Proven experience in strategic planning, operational management, and organizational development;
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills;
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex projects;
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, financial management, and risk management principles;
• Minimum 10 years, at least 5 of them in people management.
• Experience of being head/deputy head of organizations with at least 100 employees is desirable.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills;
• Fluency in Kazakh, English and Russian is required.

Additional Information

Recruitment and selection process
Recruitment and selection at Nazarbayev University include the following process: preliminary selection based on experience and qualifications, assessments (e.g. technical skills/capabilities, aptitude, personality, work samples, in-basket exercises, and informal interviews), and motivation.

Formal interviews form the final stage of the selection process.
They are typically based on organizational values and behaviors and conducted in English.
You are encouraged to share your views and values to identify how they fit into Nazarbayev University core values