Operations Manager

INDIAN DEBATING LEAGUE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position : Operations Manager

Department : Tournament & Training Operations

Location : India (Remote with travel requirements)

Employment Type : Full-Time

Compensation : Ranges upwards from ₹45,000 per month onwards + Performance Bonus

ABOUT INDIAN DEBATING LEAGUE The Indian Debating League is India's largest school debating platform, empowering learners aged 8–17 years to develop a point of view and express themselves with confidence and clarity. Over the years, IDL has engaged 90,800+ students across 13 countries and has been recognized by GESF Dubai, Inc42, and Singapore EdTech. Students trained under IDL have earned accolades at Princeton, LSE, Oxford Union, Stanford Invitational, and Harvard, guided by some of the world’s best coaches. As the Official Hosts for the Cambridge School and Oxford Union Debates for International Rounds, the Indian Debating League (IDL) is committed to nurturing India's brightest minds on regional, national, and global issues. Overview for your reference - https : / / youtu.be / 7CbEw3WcP_Q

POSITION OVERVIEW We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Operations Manager to lead the end-to-end execution of our debating tournaments & training. This role sits at the intersection of strategic planning, stakeholder management, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing tournaments, driving participant engagement, ensuring flawless event delivery, and maintaining strong relationships with all stakeholders in the debating ecosystem.

This is a high-impact role requiring someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, can juggle multiple priorities, and is passionate about creating transformative educational experiences for young debaters across India.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Strategic Planning & Structuring (30% of role) Design and implement innovative tournament formats that enhance participant experience and competitive integrity

Develop comprehensive tournament schedules with clear timelines, milestones, and contingency plans

Negotiate and execute Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with educational institutions, corporate partners, and tournament sponsors

Conduct resource planning and allocation for critical tournament components including judge panels, tabulation teams, and venue logistics

Build and maintain operational frameworks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and readiness checklists

Assess operational risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure tournament preparedness

2. Outreach & Engagement Strategy (25% of role) Design and execute data-driven outreach campaigns targeting schools across different cities and grade levels

Analyze participation trends and demographic data to optimize recruitment strategies

Oversee team formation processes, ensuring balanced representation and competitive equity

Manage multi-channel communication strategies (email, social media, WhatsApp, phone) to maintain engagement

Develop and streamline onboarding processes for new participants, including orientation materials and registration workflows

Build relationships with debate coaches, teachers, and institutional coordinators

Track and report on engagement metrics and conversion rates

3. Tournament Leadership (25% of role) Serve as the operational command center during tournament execution, ensuring all moving parts function cohesively

Implement and monitor tech-enabled infrastructure including registration systems, tabulation software, and live result platforms

Provide real-time problem-solving for issues ranging from scheduling conflicts to participant concerns

Coordinate cross-functional teams including judges, volunteers, technical staff, and content creators

Ensure adjudicator briefings are conducted effectively and judges are properly assigned to rounds

Monitor tournament timelines and make dynamic adjustments to maintain schedule integrity

4. On-Ground Experience Management (15% of role) Own the physical participant journey from registration desk to trophy ceremony

Implement safety protocols and emergency response procedures

Coordinate hospitality arrangements including food, refreshments, and comfort facilities

Ensure brand visibility through proper placement of banners, signage, and promotional materials

Manage venue logistics including room allocations, audio-visual setups, and accessibility provisions

Troubleshoot on-ground issues with speed and professionalism

5. Impact Closure & Stakeholder Stewardship (5% of role) Manage post-tournament processes including equity reviews, appeals, and result finalization

Coordinate timely communication of results, rankings, and recognition to all participants

Oversee certification and recognition journeys including trophy distribution, certificates, and digital badges

Maintain engagement with partners through follow-up meetings, impact reports, and feedback sessions

Document lessons learned and best practices for continuous improvement

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education & Experience :

Bachelor's degree in Management, Business Administration, Event Management, Education, or related field preferred but not required

1-3 years of experience in operations, event management, project coordination, or related roles

Experience managing large-scale events with 100+ participants preferred

Core Competencies :

Exceptional organizational skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent projects

Strong problem-solving abilities and comfort with ambiguity

Data literacy and experience with analytics tools for decision-making

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Hindi

Proficiency in project management tools, spreadsheets, and presentation software

Personal Attributes :

Self-starter with entrepreneurial mindset and ownership mentality

Calm under pressure with ability to make quick decisions in tournament environments

Passionate about education, debate, and youth development

Willing to travel extensively across India for tournament execution

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Monthly Salary : Ranges upwards from ₹45,000 per month onwards

Performance Bonus : Annual bonus based on tournament success metrics, participant satisfaction scores, and operational KPIs

Professional Development : Access to debate judging training, event management courses, and leadership workshops

Travel : All tournament-related travel, accommodation, and meals covered

Impact : Direct contribution to shaping the intellectual development of thousands of young Indians

APPLICATION PROCESS Interested candidates should submit :

Updated CV / Resume highlighting relevant experience

Cover letter (maximum 500 words) explaining your fit for this role and passion for debate / education

Brief response (200 words) to the scenario : "A school pulls out of a tournament 48 hours before the event. How do you handle this situation?"

Please send applications to : hello@augli.ai

Subject Line : "Operations Manager Application - [Your Name]"

Indian Debating League is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.