Student Success Lead

Skills Development Network; Chandigarh; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Skills Development Network seeks a dynamic Lead in Skilling Initiatives to drive large-scale national programs, build government and academic partnerships, mentor training partners, and ensure measurable job creation through placements.

This strategic, outcome-driven role blends relationship management, on-ground execution, ecosystem building, and technology-enabled scale, with extensive national travel and a passion for social impact.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of experience in B2C, education, or skilling ecosystem.
• Strong understanding of VTP/VTI ecosystem and government partnerships.
• Proven track record in partnerships, business development, and account management.
• Strong business acumen, innovative thinking, and analytical rigor.
• Proficiency in data analytics with attention to detail and outcome measurement.
• Ability to leverage technology platforms for scale.

Responsibilities

• Build, strengthen, and manage partnerships with VTI, academia, and government bodies to deliver national skilling initiatives.
• Mentor partner training teams to ensure effective program execution, quality delivery, and alignment with defined outcomes.
• Represent the Foundation with executive presence; engage trainers and students through on-ground visits to foster credibility and influence.
• Create and strengthen industry-academia linkages, ensuring skills stay aligned with labor market needs.
• Lead placement initiatives and market-driven skill creation, working with employers to ensure sustainable career pathways.
• Travel extensively across the country to supervise and support program rollout.

Skills

Strategic Relationship Management

Mentoring & Capacity Building

Communication & Negotiation

Ecosystem Thinking

Demand-Side Ownership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in education/public policy/management

Tools

Data Analytics Tools

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic lead in Skilling Initiatives who will be responsible for driving large-scale skilling and employability programs nationally. The role requires expertise in managing government and academic partnerships, mentoring training partners, building demand-side linkages for placements, and ensuring measurable impact in job creation.

This is a highly strategic and outcome-driven role that combines relationship management, on-ground execution, ecosystem building, and technology-enabled scale.

Key Competencies & Responsibilities :

• Strategic Relationship Management: Build, strengthen, and manage partnerships with Vocational Training Institutes (VTI), academia, and government bodies to deliver national skilling initiatives.


• Mentoring & Capacity Building: Mentor partner training teams to ensure effective program execution, quality delivery, and alignment with defined outcomes.


• Communication, Negotiation & Executive Presence: Represent the Foundation with strong executive presence; engage directly with trainers and students through on-ground visits to foster credibility and influence.


• Ecosystem Thinking: Academia-Industry Linkages: Create and strengthen industry-academia linkages, ensuring the relevance of skills to the changing labor market.


• Demand-Side Ownership: Lead initiatives for placement and market-driven skill creation, working closely with employers to ensure sustainable career pathways for beneficiaries.


• Cultural Alignment (Foundational Requirement): Deep commitment to the Foundations mission, adaptability to an agile work environment, and passion for creating large-scale social impact.

Skills & Experience Required:

• 8-12 years of experience in B2C, education, or skilling ecosystem.


• Strong understanding of the Vocational Training Providers (VTP)/Vocational Training Institutes (VTI) ecosystem and experience working with government agencies.


• Proven track record in strategic partnerships, business development, and account management.


• Strong business acumen, innovative thinking, and analytical rigor.


• Proficiency in data analytics with attention to detail and outcome measurement.


• Demonstrated ability to leverage technology platforms and digital tools for scale.


• Decision-making ability in ambiguous environments, with a sense of urgency.


• Skills in complex problem solving and balancing speed with quality.


• Strong team management and leadership capabilities.


• Willingness to travel extensively across the country.


• Solid academic background.