Head of Organization, Lucknow

Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Role: Head of Organization, Lucknow

Experience: 10-16 Years

Salary: Up to 24 LPA

Note: We are seeking a candidate with strong entrepreneurial skills who can take complete ownership of managing and leading the entire organization.

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Role Overview:

After years of building the organization, the co-founders are ready to step back from daily operations and hand over the strategic and operational reins to a passionate, visionary leader. This role offers the autonomy to shape the future direction and vision of the organization. While the founders transition into supportive, non-imposing advisory and coaching roles, the incoming leader will assume end-to-end ownership of the organization.

Key responsibilities include driving fundraising and proposal development, managing domestic and FCRA financial compliance, and operationally leading our flagship youth and sports-for-development initiatives.

This is a highly entrepreneurial, "hands-on" leadership position. It requires balancing high-level strategic vision with direct, day-to-day execution alongside a passionate, young team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising & Donor Management

• Lead the fundraising strategy and actively build a robust pipeline to sustain and scale existing programs.
• Manage relationships with existing institutional donors, CSR partners, and High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs).
• Drive the end-to-end creation of high-quality grant proposals, concept notes, and pitch decks, ensuring alignment with donor expectations and organizational goals.

1. Strategy & Program Oversight

• Translate long-term strategic goals into clear, achievable quarterly and annual operational plans for core programs.
• Oversee program delivery to ensure high-quality outcomes, maintaining a strong focus on monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) metrics.
• Represent the organization at development sector forums, networks, and conferences to elevate its institutional profile.

1. Financial Management & Compliance

• Oversee the organization's financial health, ensuring strict budget adherence, optimal cash flow management, and cost-effective operations.
• Collaborate with external financial and secretarial partners to ensure total compliance with Indian non-profit regulations (including Section 8/Trust/Society mandates, 12A, 80G, FCRA, and timely filing of returns).

1. Team Leadership & Culture

• Manage, mentor, and inspire a tight-knit team of 10, fostering a culture of high accountability, psychological safety, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Optimize internal workflows and role structures to ensure the team remains efficient, motivated, and closely aligned with the mission.

Candidate Profile & Competencies

Required Qualifications

• 10–12 years of professional experience, with at least 4–5 years in a leadership or senior managerial role within the Indian development sector or social enterprise ecosystem.
• Demonstrated experience in securing funding from CSR grants, domestic foundations, or retail donors in India.
• Prior experience in small or mid-sized non-profits is highly preferred. Comfort with ambiguity, entrepreneurial drive, and a proven willingness to work hands-on are essential.
• Fluency in both English and Hindi (essential for community and stakeholder engagement).

Core Attributes of the Ideal Candidate

• Child-Centric Focus: Anchors every decision, strategy, and action in the absolute best interests of the children and the community served.
• Hands-on Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ready to roll up sleeves across all functions—equally adept at corporate CSR pitches, budget spreadsheets, legal reviews, and grassroots field visits.
• Resource Optimization: Optimizes a 1 Cr budget through lean operations and creative partnerships rather than heavy infrastructure.
• Empathetic Leadership: Inspires a small team through high empathy and shared decision-making, keeping everyone deeply aligned with the mission

HINDI ENGLISH