Senior Program Manager (India)

LEEP seeks Senior Program Managers who will be responsible for running LEEP’s programs on spices and cosmetics in India. We are seeking people with exceptional strategic judgement and people skills, as well as great communication skills and experience working with the government.

Position Summary

Application Deadline: 5 January 2026

Start date: As soon as possible

Hours: Full time

Location: India.

Time Zone: India Standard time. Must also be willing to work flexibly to collaborate with our global team across multiple time zones.

Language Requirements: Full professional proficiency in English and Hindi

Salary: ₹4,756,380 INR

How to apply: Fill out this application form

Contact: hiring@leadelimination.org

About LEEP

LEEP is an impact-driven, evidence-based nonprofit that aims to eliminate childhood lead poisoning, which affects an estimated one in three children worldwide. Our work involves generating data, supporting governments with the introduction and enforcement of regulation, and assisting industry in eliminating lead from their products. We have historically primarily focused on one important source of exposure: lead paint. But we are now expanding to other sources of lead exposure, specifically spices and cosmetics.

Since our founding in September 2020:

• We have initiated lead paint elimination programs in 37 countries and completed paint studies in 22.
• We have agreed on goals to establish lead paint regulation with government agencies in 18 countries (e.g., in Angola).
• We have received reports in 17 countries of manufacturers representing more than 50% of the lead paint market share (in that country) reformulating to lead-free (e.g., in Pakistan).
• We have conducted a repeat paint study which showed more than a 50% reduction in lead paint market share since our initial study in Malawi.
• We have conducted lead in spices studies in Ethiopia and Türkiye.
• Founders Pledge estimates that it costs $1.66 to prevent one child’s lead exposure (in expectation) through our work, making LEEP one of its most cost-effective nonprofit recommendations. Our own analysis estimates that it costs under $5 to avert one DALYequivalent through LEEP’s first 13 established programs.
• We are a partner of the WHO and UN Environment Programme's Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, and a member of the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, launched by USAID and UNICEF.
• We have received grants from major grantmaking organisations, including USAID, Founders Pledge, Open Philanthropy, and Schmidt Futures.
• We have appeared in Nature, Vox, Time Magazine, The New Yorker, Prospect, on the 80,000 Hours Podcast, at the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future launch on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly, and our co-founders were named in Vox’s Future Perfect 50.

About the Role

LEEP is seeking experienced individuals to lead our programs on spices and cosmetics in India, and to also lead small teams that support and execute this program work. They will be responsible for developing and delivering interventions to reduce lead exposure, which may include: collaborating with central and state governments to support prioritisation of the issue; providing technical assistance on regulatory implementation; engaging constructively with industry to encourage the removal of lead from products; conducting studies to generate country-specific data; leading public awareness and behaviour-change campaigns; and building partnerships with civil-society organisations.

This role is ideal for someone who loves both hands-on program work and developing others, and who is excited by the chance to strengthen LEEP’s program quality and consistency from an “on the ground” perspective, as well as a higher-level strategic one.

We are looking for candidates who are high-agency, have strong interpersonal skills, have excellent strategic thinking and judgment, and who share LEEP’s values. By running LEEP’s program work, with support from the team, you will be able to make a huge difference, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

Responsibilities

Collaborating with government counterparts and providing technical assistance on the implementation of regulations.

• Engaging with policy-makers across relevant ministries, agencies, and levels of government (central and state) and maintaining regular communication.
• Preparing informational materials, technical briefs, and educational resources to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Participating in government meetings and presenting at stakeholder workshops as a subject-matter contributor.
• Coordinating project planning activities with government partners.

Industry assistance

• Engaging with key industry stakeholders at different levels of the supply chain, particularly those responsible for lead-containing products
• Presenting the case for lead elimination and how LEEP can support
• Working to find solutions to manufacturers’ requirements
• Finding suppliers of lead-free raw materials

Research and data collection

• Conducting spices or cosmetics studies: finding and purchasing spices/cosmetics, preparing samples, and sending them to the lab, in collaboration with government, academic or civil society partners
• Preparing study reports and summarising existing literature
• Analysing data to inform program strategy

Media campaigns and coalition building

• Developing and executing strategic media campaigns to highlight successes by government and encourage action by industry
• Potentially designing consumer behavioural change interventions based on local cultural context
• Building coalitions with local NGOs, think tanks, academics, medical associations, and other civil society organisations

People Management

• Managing Program Associates, providing guidance, feedback, and strategic oversight while empowering them to meet or exceed their goals
• Being accountable for the results and performance of your PAs, you will foster a high-performance and trusting culture through clear expectations, regular and open feedback and a shared sense of purpose
• Contributing to performance development and coaching

Strategy and planning

• Designing a program plan to meet LEEP’s goals and considering stakeholders’ requirements
• Troubleshooting any program blockers and identifying creative solutions
• Sharing learnings with the LEEP team and constantly improving our programs
• Ensure effective budget management of your program

Assist with a variety of other tasks across LEEP as and when required.

What We’re Looking For

A successful applicant will possess or be most of the following:

• Passion for LEEP’s mission and a strong commitment to achieving meaningful, scalable impact
• Strong interpersonal skills and adeptness at understanding the perspectives of various stakeholders and collaborating towards shared goals
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• More than 5 years of work experience
• Prior experience managing teams/people
• Strong skills in delivering feedback and coaching to drive performance and professional growth.
• Expertise in guiding strategic plans and managing projects that align with organisational goals.
• Experience working with, or in, government in India (central or state)
• Experience working on media campaigns
• Comfort with educating and persuading a variety of stakeholders on material that may be new to them
• Ability and willingness to work across a broad range of tasks
• A strong ability to prioritise your tasks and recognise how they tie in with LEEP’s wider goals
• Enterprising, a quick learner, and creative problem-solver
• Comfort with risk and ambiguity, and working with a high level of self-direction
• Ability to remain focused and solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment
• Willing to travel for at least 8 to 12 weeks per year
• Fluent in English and Hindi

Work Environment

Our culture is one of genuine care for each other and passion for our work and its impact. We are a team that values collaboration, openness, and mutual support, which creates an environment where everyone can thrive while contributing to meaningful work. Though we are a remote team, we are supportive and close-knit. We stay connected through weekly team calls and 1:1 calls, where we have conversations about both non-work and work topics; we regularly share photos and celebrate milestones and successes in our Slack; and we come together annually for an in-person retreat to strengthen relationships and reflect on our mission.

Our team of 30+ people is based across five continents and speaks over 10 languages. We have diverse expertise, from medicine to environmental health to international law.

Our work schedule is flexible. Some of the team work 9-5:30, and some adjust their daily schedule around school pick-up. We value work-life balance and rarely contact the team members outside their work hours.

LEEP offers:

• A chance to have a very large positive impact on the world
• 33 days of paid leave
• Generous sick leave and parental leave policies
• 4% pension contribution or equivalent
• Professional development opportunities
• Health Insurance in places where government healthcare is limited
• Annual team retreat

How to Apply

Here’s a summary of the application process for a successful candidate. We might make adjustments.

• Complete the application form by January 5th.
• After submitting your application, you’ll receive an email inviting you to complete a short, 31-minute screening assessment. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) within 24 hours of completing your application.
• Attend a 25-minute initial screening call
• Complete a 2-3 hour work test designed to simulate the work you would do if hired and evaluate key skills important for success in the role
• Attend one remote panel interview
• Submit references
• Receive an employment offer!

If you have any questions about the position or the application process, please email hiring@leadelimination.org.

LEEP is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, colour, gender, national origin, ethnicity, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other protected characteristic.

LEEP offers:

• A chance to have a very large positive impact on the world
• 33 days of paid leave
• Generous sick leave and parental leave policies
• 4% pension contribution or equivalent
• Professional development opportunities
• Health Insurance in places where government healthcare is limited
• Annual team retreat

Our culture is one of genuine care for each other and passion for our work and its impact. We are a team that values collaboration, openness, and mutual support, which creates an environment where everyone can thrive while contributing to meaningful work. Though we are a remote team, we are supportive and close-knit. We stay connected through weekly team calls and 1:1 calls, where we have conversations about both non-work and work topics; we regularly share photos and celebrate milestones and successes in our Slack; and we come together annually for an in-person retreat to strengthen relationships and reflect on our mission.

Our team of 30+ people is based across five continents and speaks over 10 languages. We have diverse expertise, from medicine to environmental health to international law.

Our work schedule is flexible. Some of the team work 9-5:30, and some adjust their daily schedule around school pick-up. We value work-life balance and rarely contact the team members outside their work hours.

Full professional proficiency in English and Hindi