Director- Program Implementation [FLN], Pune

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Role: Director- Program Implementation [FLN], Pune

Experience: 12+ years

Salary: Up to 32 LPA

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About the role:

The Director of Program Implementation will lead the design and delivery of large-scale education programs in collaboration with state and district governments. This role is central to ensuring high-quality execution of systemic reform efforts and driving impact across all levels—from classroom practices to institutional capacity building.

The Director will bridge the gap between vision and execution, working closely with senior government officials, internal research/M&E verticals, and donor partners to ensure programs are evidence-based, sustainable, and aligned with funder priorities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Program Planning (30%)

• Strategic Translation: Translate the organizations high-level vision into actionable, localized goals for specific states or districts.
• Co-Design: Identify focus areas for system reform and co-design interventions alongside government leadership.
• Planning: Develop annual implementation blueprints including timelines, budgets, and key milestones.
• Risk Management: Design risk identification processes and adaptive strategies to solve problems in real-time and sustain long-term change.
• Growth: Support new proposals and partnerships to deepen the organizations geographic and thematic reach.

1. Team Leadership & Capacity Building (25%)

• Coaching: Lead and mentor a multi-tier team of Program Managers, Associates, and District Coordinators.
• Culture: Foster a healthy team environment rooted in continuous learning, ownership, and accountability.
• Professional Development: Identify skill gaps and organize learning modules on facilitation, government liaison, and data-driven decision-making.
• Succession Planning: Create growth pathways for internal talent to transition into future leadership roles.

1. Government, Donor & Partner Engagement (25%)

• Government Liaison: Build and sustain trust-based relationships with senior Education Department officials at state and district levels.
• Representation: Act as the lead representative in joint reviews, steering committees, and consultations with ecosystem partners.
• Donor Management: Serve as the primary relationship manager for key donors—providing progress updates, coordinating field visits, and ensuring high-quality reporting.
• Ecosystem Collaboration: Strengthen ties with peer NGOs, CSRs, and academic institutions to scale successful models.

1. Monitoring, Learning & Evidence Use (15%)

• Data-Driven Impact: Partner with M&E teams to track progress via clear, practical indicators and digital dashboards.
• Adaptive Management: Lead quarterly reflection sessions to ensure field insights inform program design and delivery.
• Communication of Impact: Ensure evidence from the field is effectively communicated to donors and government stakeholders to secure ongoing buy-in.

1. Knowledge Management & Documentation (5%)

• Best Practices: Guide teams in documenting implementation models, success stories, and "lessons learned."
• Thought Leadership: Contribute to case studies, policy notes, and learning products that showcase effective pathways for systemic scale.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Qualifications: Masters degree in Education, Public Policy, Management, or a related field.
• Professional Track Record: 10–12 years of total experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing large-scale, government-linked education programs.
• Public Systems Expertise: Direct experience working within or alongside public systems/government departments is essential.
• Scale: Proven ability to lead teams and partnerships across multiple districts or states simultaneously.

Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

• Communication: Exceptional written and spoken English; proficiency in the regional language (e.g., Hindi/Marathi) is highly preferred.
• Execution: Strong project management skills with the ability to navigate complex, moving parts.
• Relationship Management: Expert-level negotiation and partnership management skills with senior officials and donors.
• Values: A deep-seated belief in the potential of public systems and a commitment to equitable education.
• Resilience: Exceptional adaptability and patience in navigating the complexities of large-scale systemic change.

Hiring Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This job is first posted on Feb 27, 2026, on Ground Zero

HINDI & ENGLISH