Managing Director, India - Operations

Arthan; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 5,500,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Arthan in Gurugram, India is seeking a Managing Director, India - Operations to lead grid modernisation, open access and renewable integrations. The role will shape the country portfolio, engage senior DISCOMs and regulators, and drive delivery of multi-partner programmes from scoping to pilots and scale.

Responsibilities include budgeting, governance with MDBs and government agencies, and leading digital grid analytics initiatives while ensuring data protection and cybersecurity best practices.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in India’s energy/power sector with multiple areas (DISCOM reform, grid modernisation, RE project development or policy).
• Proven track record delivering complex, multi-partner programmes end-to-end.
• Grant and programme management experience with budgets, milestones and reporting.
• Experience selecting and supervising grantees, consultants and delivery partners.
• Strong network across MoP, state agencies, DISCOMs and MDBs.
• Desirable: utility/ DISCOM/IPP/ regulator background; fast-paced/ entrepreneurial experience.

Responsibilities

• Shape the India grid portfolio and build a pipeline with DISCOMs, regulators and funders.
• Lead budgeting, concept notes and funding cases for grid modernisation and BESS.
• Oversee projects from scoping to implementation with delivery partners.
• Lead GIS, AMI data, FEED analytics, and digital twin work with data protection.
• Write policy briefs and share learnings with global colleagues to align with broader portfolio.

Skills

Grid modernization

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Policy & regulatory knowledge

Data analytics

Leadership

Open access & PPAs

Financial management

Education

Master's degree in Renewable Energy or related field

Tools

GIS

AMI data

DERMS

ADMS

AI/ML grid analytics

Job description

About the job Managing Director, India - Operations

Role Overview

This senior country role will lead the organisation's grid modernisation and power distribution programme in India. The postholder will turn global priorities into an India-specific portfolio focused on utility transformation, grid digitalisation, renewable energy integration, battery storage (BESS) and demand-side flexibility. They will build and manage projects and partnerships, oversee grantees and delivery partners, lead a small on-the-ground team and act as the organisation's voice on grid modernisation in India.

Key areas of work:

• Strategy and portfolio: Shape the India grid portfolio, build a pipeline with DISCOMs, government agencies, MDBs, funders and the private sector, and lead budgeting, concept notes and funding cases.
• Utility and government engagement: Serve as senior counterpart to DISCOMs, regulators and ministries; lead techno-commercial assessments for BESS and grid upgrades; negotiate MoUs and data-sharing agreements.
• Project delivery: Oversee projects from scoping to implementation, select and supervise delivery partners, manage grants end to end and move work from studies to pilots and scale.
• Digital and data: Lead work on GIS, AMI data, feeder analytics, digital twins, DERMS/ADMS and AI-driven grid analytics, with sound data protection and cybersecurity practice.
• Knowledge and coordination: Write policy briefs and case studies, share learning with global colleagues and keep this programme aligned with the wider India portfolio.

Location

Gurugram, India, with 20–30% travel within India to project sites, utility offices and government meetings.

Requirements, Qualifications & Skills

Technical Knowledge & Sector Expertise

• In-depth knowledge of India's power sector, including DISCOM reform, distribution grid modernisation, smart metering/AMI, SCADA, open access, RPOs, ISTS and RE procurement frameworks.
• Hands-on BESS experience: techno-commercial evaluation, tariff design, ancillary services such as peak shaving and arbitrage, and revenue-stacking models.
• Working knowledge of grid technologies such as ADMS, DERMS, GIS, digital twins and AI/ML-based grid analytics.
• Clear grasp of India's regulatory and political economy at state level (SERCs) and central level (CERC, MoP, CEA).
• Desirable: understanding of blended and catalytic finance, MDB engagement models and development partnership instruments.
• Desirable: familiarity with open access, corporate PPAs and India's C&I renewables market.
• Desirable: exposure to just transition, community engagement and equity issues in energy programmes.

Experience & Professional Profile

• 15+ years of relevant experience in India's energy or power sector, covering at least two of: DISCOM operations or reform, RE project development, grid modernisation, energy policy or development finance.
• Proven record of designing and delivering complex, multi-partner programmes from start to finish.
• Grant and programme management experience, including budgets, compliance, milestones and reporting.
• Experience selecting, onboarding and supervising grantees, consultants and delivery partners.
• Strong existing network across the Ministry of Power, state agencies, DISCOMs, MDBs and energy-sector funders.
• Desirable: experience inside a utility, DISCOM, IPP, grid operator or energy regulator.
• Desirable: background in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial organisation.

Qualifications & Attributes

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Renewable Energy, Energy Economics, Engineering, International Development, Public Policy or a related field.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Hindi; a strong writer of technical and policy documents.

Attributes

• Systems leadership: Looks beyond single projects, builds coalitions and drives sector-wide change.
• Communication: Equally effective with policymakers, utility engineers and philanthropic funders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Curious, anticipates opportunities and tackles root causes rather than symptoms.
• Collaboration: Listens well, adapts to local context and works across functions and cultures with humility.
• Execution: Meets deadlines and manages complexity; detail-oriented while keeping sight of strategic goals.
• Judgement: Weighs risk, takes initiative, prioritises under pressure and proposes clear ways forward.
• Inclusion: Champions diversity and equity, and brings under-represented voices into the energy transition.