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 missionLead 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 platformDrive 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 managementRepresent 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 sustainabilityLarge-Scale Program Implementation
Oversee end-to-end program delivery across multiple states, ensuring high-quality implementation of the platform in diverse school environmentsLead large-scale deployments involving thousands of schools, managing complex logistics including device procurement, software installation, teacher training, and ongoing support systemsEstablish and monitor quality assurance frameworks to ensure program fidelity and learning outcome achievement across all implementationsDesign and implement scalable processes for school readiness, technology setup, and go-live procedures as outlined in established PAL implementation frameworksTeam 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 learningDevelop organisational capabilities through structured hiring, training programs, performance management, and career progression pathwaysEstablish clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability frameworks for field teams, ensuring effective coordination between central and state-level operationsDrive cross-functional collaboration between operations, product, research, and technology teams to ensure seamless program deliveryStakeholder Engagement & Communication
Coordinate with monitoring and evaluation teams to ensure transparent reporting to partners and fundersLead crisis management and conflict resolution when operational challenges arise in the fieldInnovation & Continuous Improvement
Champion innovation in program delivery methods, exploring new technologies, processes, and partnerships to enhance operational efficiencyLead pilot programs for new delivery models, assessment approaches, or technology integrationsFoster a culture of experimentation and learning within the operations team, encouraging evidence-based innovationEssential Qualifications and Experience :
Minimum 12-15 years of progressive experience in large-scale program management, with at least 7 years in mid-senior leadership rolesProven track record of managing operations across multiple geographies, preferably in education, development, or technology sectorsExtensive experience working with government stakeholders, including state education departments and district administrationDemonstrated success in scaling programs from pilot to full implementation, managing teams of 30+ professionalsStrong experience in stakeholder management, including donors, partners, and government officialsPreferred 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 plansStrong analytical and problem-solving skills for complex, multi-stakeholder environmentsExperience building and scaling high-performing teams in challenging operational contextsEntrepreneurial mindset with comfort in ambiguous, fast-changing environmentsCommunication & Relationship Management :
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English and Hindi; regional language fluency preferredProven ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders from grassroots educators to senior government officialsStrong presentation and public speaking skills for conferences, government forums, and stakeholder meetingsCultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively across diverse communities and contextsOperational Excellence :
Deep understanding of complex project management across multiple locations and stakeholdersExperience with technology deployment, training programs, and quality assurance systemsStrong financial acumen and budget management for multi-crore operationsAbility to design and implement scalable processes and systemsKey Attributes :
Mission-Driven : Passionate commitment to improving learning outcomes and educational equity in IndiaResults-Oriented : Track record of delivering measurable impact at scale while maintaining quality standardsAdaptable & Resilient : Ability to thrive in dynamic environments and navigate complex challenges with creative solutionsCollaborative Leader : Strong team-building skills with ability to inspire and motivate distributed teamsIntegrity & Transparency : Highest ethical standards and commitment to evidence-based decision makingInnovation Mindset : Openness to new approaches and continuous improvement in pursuit of better outcomes