Head - CSR

Role Summary

We are looking for a dynamic, mission-driven leader to head our CSR & Skilling Programs across India. This individual will take end-to-end ownership of program strategy, implementation, partnerships, delivery, and governance across a diverse portfolio of skilling and social impact projects.

You will be responsible for anchoring the entire vertical under Centum Foundation, operating within the upGrad Enterprise ecosystem with a mandate to build, scale, and sustain high-impact interventions, especially those aligned with corporate CSR, ESG goals, and government priorities.

This role is both strategic and operational — ideal for a leader with strong business acumen, policy understanding, and on-ground delivery experience in the social development sector.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Program Design

• Define and drive the long-term roadmap for CSR-based skilling and livelihood programs.
• Lead the conceptualization of new programs across education, employability, and entrepreneurship.
• Align program strategy with upGrad Enterprise’s vision and Centum Foundation’s social impact charter.
• Champion digital skilling innovations and scalable models that blend online and offline learning.

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and manage relationships with:
• Corporate CSR and ESG heads (for project partnerships and funding)
• Central & State government departments (for co-funded programs)
• NGOs, implementation agencies, and global development partners
• Lead high-stakes conversations, draft MoUs, and develop strategic proposals.
• Represent Centum Foundation in industry forums, consortiums, and public platforms.

3. Program Implementation & Delivery Oversight

• Establish SOPs, KPIs, and delivery models for PAN-India execution.
• Build and lead a strong team comprising regional heads, project managers, field teams, and trainers.
• Monitor implementation quality, timelines, and performance indicators across all projects.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact

• Collaborate with the M&E team to set up robust frameworks for tracking outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• Ensure data-driven decision-making with regular reports, dashboards, and field feedback loops.
• Lead annual reviews, learning cycles, and strategic realignments.

5. Financial & Governance Accountability

• Own the P&L for the CSR & Skilling vertical.
• Manage budgeting, fund utilization, financial reporting, and statutory compliance (including FCRA, CSR Act, ESG reporting, and audits).
• Ensure all documentation, due diligence, and impact reports meet funder and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Must-Have:

• Master’s in Social Work (MSW) or relevant degree in development/social sciences.
• At least 15 years of work experience with 6–8 years in senior leadership roles in the development/CSR/advisory/foundation ecosystem.
• Proven experience in leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder programs from design to execution.
• Deep understanding of India’s skilling landscape (NSDC, SSCs, state skilling missions, etc.).
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing large program budgets and P&L.

Desirable:

• Experience working with international development agencies or on global CSR mandates.
• Exposure to ESG-linked CSR, sustainability frameworks, or CSR consulting firms.
• Familiarity with tech-enabled skilling, blended models, or impact tech platforms.

Key Competencies

• Visionary leadership with strong execution capability
• Strategic thinking with operational excellence
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing ability
• Business, financial, and regulatory acumen
• High emotional intelligence and team leadership
• Excellent communication, documentation, and proposal-writing skills
• Agility to thrive in high-growth, purpose-driven environments

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards and experience
• Leadership role with enterprise-wide visibility and influence
• Opportunity to work directly with senior leadership at upGrad
• Purpose-led work driving measurable impact across India