Employer Partnership - Chennai

Wadhwani Foundation; Chennai District; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

A global not-for-profit organization in Chennai is seeking an Employer Connect Lead. The role involves driving employer partnerships to enhance job creation outcomes through Wadhwani Opportunity programs. Candidates should have 6-10 years of experience in business development or employer engagement, with a focus on staffing and employer networks across sectors like Retail and Healthcare. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong communication skills and the ability to work in dynamic environments.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of experience in business development or employer engagement.
• 5-7 years specifically in the staffing or talent ecosystem.
• Strong understanding of various industry sectors.

Responsibilities

• Analyze job market trends and identify high-demand roles and skills.
• Build strategic partnerships with leading employers.
• Collaborate with sector skill councils to strengthen employer engagement.
• Establish and manage Industry Advisory Councils.
• Work with employers to co-create training content.
• Enable training and placement opportunities for students.
• Design pilot initiatives with industry partners.
• Drive placements for ITI and VTP students.

Skills

Business development or employer engagement

Networking with employers across sectors

Communication skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Understanding job market trends

Solution-oriented approach

Job description

Position: Employer Connect Lead
Role Type: Individual Contributor
Location: Chennai
Reporting to: National Employer head

About Wadhwani Foundation

Wadhwani Foundation is a global not-for-profit focused on accelerating economic development in emerging economies through high-value job creation. Founded by Dr. Romesh Wadhwani in 2000, the Foundation works across 25 countries through initiatives in entrepreneurship, innovation, and skilling.

Mission

Accelerate economic development through job creation.

Goal

Enable the creation of 10 million jobs and placement of 25 million people by 2030 across emerging economies.

Role Overview

The Employer Connect Lead will drive employer partnerships to enable job creation outcomes for the Wadhwani Opportunity (WGO) programs. The role involves understanding evolving job market trends, building strong employer networks across key sectors, and leveraging these partnerships to support training, placements, and career growth opportunities for learners.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze job market trends and identify high-demand roles and skills across regions and sectors.
• Build strategic partnerships with leading employers across priority sectors such as Retail, Healthcare, BFSI, ITES, Auto, Beauty & Wellness, and Hospitality.
• Collaborate with sector skill councils and industry bodies to strengthen employer engagement and program alignment.
• Establish and manage Industry Advisory Councils to provide industry insights and strengthen program relevance.
• Work with employer partners to co‑create and validate training content, ensuring alignment with industry needs.
• Enable training, placement opportunities, and post‑placement support for students through employer networks.
• Design and launch pilot initiatives with industry partners to validate and scale employer engagement models.
• Drive placements for ITI and VTP students through employer networks and industry partnerships.

Skills & Experience

• 6-10 years of experience in business development or employer engagement, including 5–7 years in the staffing or talent ecosystem.
• Strong network with employers across sectors such as Retail, Healthcare, BFSI, ITES, Auto, Beauty & Wellness, and Hospitality.
• Strong communication, relationship building, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with ability to build and scale employer partnerships.
• Strong understanding of job market trends and evolving skill demands.
• Hands‑on, solution‑oriented approach with ability to work in dynamic environments.
• Familiarity with EdTech, skilling, or training ecosystems is preferred.
• Willingness to travel and engage closely with partners across regions.