Platform Head– Innovation to Translation Support and Grant Management

Wfnen; Delhi; On-site; INR 5,000,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology-driven non-profit is seeking a Platform Head to lead the development of a national innovation enablement system. The role involves building entrepreneurship capacity, managing a network of experts, and overseeing the WIN Innovation Platform's development. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years in software product development and a deep understanding of India's research and innovation ecosystems. This position is based in Delhi, India and offers an impactful opportunity to drive innovation in the startup landscape.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in software product development and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• Experience in innovation, research translation, or startup incubation.
• Familiarity with managing data-rich multi-feature platforms.
• Proven ability to lead diverse, high-performing teams and manage stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and scale programs for researchers.
• Manage the national network of mentors and experts.
• Coordinate development with tech teams and vendors.
• Build and lead a team of program managers.
• Define success metrics and accountability for each vertical.
• Represent the portfolio to WIN and Foundation leadership.

Skills

Software product development

Entrepreneurial ecosystem building

Stakeholder management

Data tools and dashboards

Team leadership

Education

Postgraduate/Ph.D. in science or engineering

Tools

Salesforce

CRM platforms

GenAI tools

Job description

Platform Head – Innovation to Translation Support and Grant Management

Location: India (Delhi preferred) | Department: Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN)

About Wadhwani Foundation: Wadhwani Foundation is a global, technology‑driven not‑for‑profit committed to accelerating job creation, innovation, and skill development in emerging economies. Through a portfolio of programs in skilling, entrepreneurship, and innovation, we aim to empower millions by 2030.

About WIN: The Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) supports the translation of high‑quality research into market‑ready products, services, and startups across India. WIN is expanding its platform into a comprehensive solution that empowers researchers across the innovation lifecycle from ideation to commercialization.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Platform Head to lead the development of a national innovation enablement system. This role spans three core functions:

• Build entrepreneurship capacity in academic researchers through skilling, experiential learning, and founder‑readiness tools.
• Develop and manage a national network of mentors, experts, and institutions that support researchers in the translation journey.
• Lead product ownership of the WIN Innovation Platform, coordinating its development with the Foundation’s internal tech teams and external vendors.

The ideal candidate brings strong program execution experience, understands product development, and has deep exposure to India’s research, innovation, or startup ecosystems. This role is ideal for a professional who understands product thinking, can manage tech build‑outs in partnership with Wadhwani’s internal tech team, and is equally comfortable engaging with innovation ecosystem partners to drive adoption and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and scale programs that equip researchers with translation and startup skills.
• Embed founder‑readiness pedagogy, playbooks, and expert‑led sessions into researcher journeys.
• Ecosystem Development & Resource Network: identify, onboard, and manage mentors, experts, investors, incubators, accelerators, service providers, and funding organizations across India.
• Manage day‑to‑day functioning of the network, ensuring partners and beneficiaries engage meaningfully.
• Maintain engagement through structured activities: masterclasses, expert connects, clinics, etc.
• Track usage, outcomes, and satisfaction to continuously improve network quality.
• Translate program and user needs into product requirements for the WIN innovation platform.
• Coordinate with internal tech/product teams to build or customize platform features (on Salesforce and other tools).
• Ensure platform integrates modules for grant management, milestone tracking, skilling, mentorship, and outcome measurement.
• Collaborate with internal AI experts to scope and integrate GenAI tools (e.g., matchmaking, recommendation engines, milestone monitoring).
• Support onboarding, training, and adoption of the platform across institutions and partners.
• Build and lead a team of program leads or managers across the three core workstreams: entrepreneurship skilling, expert network, and platform development.
• Define success metrics, work plans, and accountability frameworks for each vertical.
• Serve as the primary representative of this portfolio to WIN and Foundation leadership.

Required Experience

• 15+ years of experience in software product development and entrepreneurial ecosystem building.
• Experience in innovation, research translation, startup incubation, or skilling ecosystems, including entrepreneurial capacity building products.
• Familiarity with managing data‑rich, multi‑feature platforms that integrate learning, CRM, or workflow tools.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing high‑performing teams across diverse functions.
• Strong relationship and stakeholder management skills, with a bias for execution.
• Comfort with data tools, dashboards, and structured reporting.

Required Qualification

Postgraduate/Ph.D., in any discipline of science or engineering.