Job Description

A leading education research and solutions organisation dedicated to transforming learning outcomes through innovative, evidence-based interventions, is looking for an Operational Head for its flagship personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) platform that has revolutionised mathematics and language learning for millions of students across India.

• Job Title: Operational Head
• Reporting To: Vice President of the organisation
• Location: Bangalore(preferred)/Ahmedabad/Delhi (with extensive travel across partner states)
• Employment type: Full-time, Permanent

About the role:
The Operational Head will lead the national strategy, operations, and scaling of the PAL platform implementations across government and private sector partnerships. This role is critical to the organisation's mission of transforming learning outcomes at scale, requiring a leader who can navigate complex stakeholder ecosystems, drive operational excellence, and ensure high-fidelity program delivery across diverse educational contexts.
The incumbent will serve as the strategic bridge between leadership, product development teams, field operations, and external partners - ensuring that the platform's proven pedagogical approach translates into sustainable, large-scale impact. This position demands both visionary leadership and hands-on operational expertise to manage multi-state implementations reaching hundreds of thousands of students.
As India's education sector increasingly adopts technology-enabled learning solutions, this role offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of personalised learning at unprecedented scale, directly contributing to national education goals and learning outcome improvements.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Program Vision
-Develop and execute comprehensive operational strategy for the platform's implementations across partner states, ensuring alignment with national education policies and the organisation's mission
-Lead strategic planning for scaling operations, identifying new market opportunities, and designing sustainable delivery models for diverse contexts (government schools, CSR partnerships, NGO collaborations)
-Collaborate with senior leadership to set long-term vision, growth targets, and innovation priorities for the platform
-Drive evidence-based decision making by analysing program data, research findings, and stakeholder feedback to continuously improve operational strategies.
Government Relations & Partnership Management
-Serve as the senior-most representative for all government stakeholders, building and maintaining relationships with state education departments, district officials, and policy makers.
-Lead negotiations and partnership development with state governments, including MoU design, implementation planning, and ongoing relationship management
-Represent the organisation in high-level forums, education summits, and policy discussions to advocate for personalized learning adoption.
-Develop strategic partnerships with development organizations, foundations, and corporate CSR teams to expand the platforms reach and sustainability
Large-Scale Program Implementation
-Oversee end-to-end program delivery across multiple states, ensuring high-quality implementation of the platform in diverse school environments
-Lead large-scale deployments involving thousands of schools, managing complex logistics including device procurement, software installation, teacher training, and ongoing support systems
-Establish and monitor quality assurance frameworks to ensure program fidelity and learning outcome achievement across all implementations
-Design and implement scalable processes for school readiness, technology setup, and go-live procedures as outlined in established PAL implementation frameworks
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
-Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing operations team of 50+ professionals across states, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning
-Develop organisational capabilities through structured hiring, training programs, performance management, and career progression pathways
-Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability frameworks for field teams, ensuring effective coordination between central and state-level operations
-Drive cross-functional collaboration between operations, product, research, and technology teams to ensure seamless program delivery
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
-Coordinate with monitoring and evaluation teams to ensure transparent reporting to partners and funders
-Lead crisis management and conflict resolution when operational challenges arise in the field
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
-Champion innovation in program delivery methods, exploring new technologies, processes, and partnerships to enhance operational efficiency
-Lead pilot programs for new delivery models, assessment approaches, or technology integrations
-Foster a culture of experimentation and learning within the operations team, encouraging evidence-based innovation
Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum 12-15 years of progressive experience in large-scale program management, with at least 7 years in mid-senior leadership roles
• Proven track record of managing operations across multiple geographies, preferably in education, development, or technology sectors
• Extensive experience working with government stakeholders, including state education departments and district administration
• Demonstrated success in scaling programs from pilot to full implementation, managing teams of 30+ professionals
• Strong experience in stakeholder management, including donors, partners, and government officials

Preferred Qualifications:
Educational technology or programme implementation experience
Direct experience with state government education programs and policy frameworks
Familiarity with Indian education system challenges and opportunities
Experience with impact measurement and evidence-based program improvement * Background in project management methodologies and tools (Agile, JIRA, etc.)
Core Competencies:
Leadership & Strategic Thinking:

• Visionary leadership with ability to translate strategy into actionable operational plans
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Experience building and scaling high-performing teams in challenging operational contexts
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort in ambiguous, fast-changing environments

Communication & Relationship Management:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English and Hindi; regional language fluency preferred
• Proven ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders from grassroots educators to senior government officials
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills for conferences, government forums, and stakeholder meetings
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively across diverse communities and contexts

Operational Excellence:

• Deep understanding of complex project management across multiple locations and stakeholders
• Experience with technology deployment, training programs, and quality assurance systems
• Strong financial acumen and budget management for multi-crore operations
• Ability to design and implement scalable processes and systems

Key Attributes:

• Mission-Driven: Passionate commitment to improving learning outcomes and educational equity in India
• Results-Oriented: Track record of delivering measurable impact at scale while maintaining quality standards
• Adaptable & Resilient: Ability to thrive in dynamic environments and navigate complex challenges with creative solutions
• Collaborative Leader: Strong team-building skills with ability to inspire and motivate distributed teams
• Integrity & Transparency: Highest ethical standards and commitment to evidence-based decision making
• Innovation Mindset: Openness to new approaches and continuous improvement in pursuit of better outcomes