Vice President - Sales & Operations

Job Description:

Position: Vice President (VP) of Sales & Operations - Government Projects & Skill Development

Location: Corporate Office - Pune

Reports To: Director

Employment Type: Full-time, Executive Leadership Role

Job Summary:

- We are seeking a seasoned and dynamic professional with at least 10 years of experience in driving business development and managing large-scale government projects, psychometric assessments, and training programs within the education and skill development sector. This strategic leadership role involves overseeing complex initiatives aimed at empowering youth through education, skill development, and workforce readiness programs.

- As the VP of Sales & Operations, you will be integral to business growth, focusing on acquiring new accounts and ensuring the successful delivery of training programs, collaborating with government agencies, leading large teams, and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation systems for large, multi-stakeholder projects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership, Business Development and Oversight:

- Lead, manage, and oversee the execution of multiple large-scale commercial or government-funded projects, including skill development, education, and training programs for diverse youth populations.

- Develop and implement the organization's operations strategy in alignment with organizational goals, ensuring that training and assessment programs achieve desired outcomes.

- Collaborate with the Director or Senior Management team to shape the vision and strategic direction of the organization's education and skill development initiatives.

- Manage relationships with educational institutes, assessment centers, government agencies, funding bodies, and other key stakeholders, ensuring seamless coordination and compliance with contractual agreements.

- Engaging with NGOs nationwide to establish partnerships and participate in the RFP process for government, commercial, and educational institutions.

- Driving business development by acquiring new accounts and expanding existing ones, while managing government and commercial projects from initiation to completion

2. Program Management and Delivery:

- Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of education, vocational training, and skill development programs, ensuring they are on-time, within budget, and meet the desired outcomes

- Manage the operational aspects of multiple, concurrent projects, from scoping and planning through execution and reporting

- Ensure high-quality delivery of psychometric assessments, training workshops, and skill-building programs

- Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program success, and provide timely reports to senior management and stakeholders.

3. Team Leadership and Staff Development:

- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of program managers, trainers, and support staff to ensure successful program delivery.

- Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture focused on operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

- Identify skill gaps and provide opportunities for professional development and capacity building for internal staff and external trainers.

4. Stakeholder Management:

- Serve as the primary point of contact for educational institutes, assessment centers, government bodies and agencies, ensuring effective communication and collaboration for successful project implementation.

- Work closely with government stakeholders to ensure programs align with national or regional workforce development goals and policies.

- Manage the preparation and submission of project proposals, progress reports, and other documentation required by government partners and funding agencies.

5. Financial and Risk Management:

- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation for all training and development programs, ensuring financial sustainability and cost efficiency.

- Develop and implement risk management strategies to identify and mitigate potential project challenges or delays.

- Monitor financial performance and program costs to ensure the projects remain on budget and are financially viable.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

- Establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness and impact of the training and skill development programs.

- Conduct regular program evaluations and make data-driven adjustments to improve program outcomes.

- Prepare detailed reports for stakeholders, government partners, and senior management on program status, impact, and financials.

7. Innovation and Continuous Improvement:

- Promote innovation in program design and delivery, ensuring that training methods and materials are up-to-date and aligned with industry needs.

- Continuously assess program effectiveness and implement improvements based on feedback from stakeholders, participants, and evaluations.

- Stay abreast of trends in skill development, psychometric assessments, and government programs to ensure the organization remains competitive and relevant

Qualifications:

- Education: Master's degree in Business Administration, Education, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field. Relevant certifications in project management or skill development are preferred.

- Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive experience managing large, complex commercial or government-funded projects within the education, skill development, or vocational training sector.

- Demonstrated expertise in overseeing psychometric assessments, skill-building training programs, and educational initiatives.

- Proven track record in managing high-level strategic operations, especially in the context of government collaborations, policy-driven programs, and multi-stakeholder projects.

- In-depth knowledge of government regulations, procurement processes, and compliance requirements related to education and training programs.

- Strong experience in managing and mentoring teams, particularly in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

Skills and Competencies:

- Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to influence and drive

business growth and organizational change.

- Expertise in business development (new acquisitions) and project management, including budgeting,

scheduling, risk management, and resource allocation.

- Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills for dealing with government agencies, partners, and internal teams.

- Strong analytical skills with a focus on using data to drive decision-making and program improvement.

- A deep understanding of the educational landscape, youth development, and workforce readiness programs.

- High proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana, Trello), and Microsoft Office Suite.

- Ability to manage complex, cross-functional teams and projects involving diverse stakeholders.

Additional Requirements:

- Ability to travel frequently in different parts of project areas in the country and spend time away from work base location for meetings, site visits, and project implementation.

- Flexibility to work beyond standard hours when required, especially during key program milestones and deadlines.

- A passion for youth development, education, and empowering marginalized communities through skill development.