Head - Forge.Lighthouse

Head - Forge.Lighthouse

In managing the comprehensive scope of outcomes and activities under the above broader KFAs,, the candidate is expected to build and manage the team of full-time employees, trainees and interns as the need/case may be in order to discharge their duties in the role of Head - Forge.Lighthouse and Head - FORT.Hosur.

Position & Designation

Grade: Sr.Manager or AVP

Head - Forge.Lighthouse

Compensation

Forge compensation is at par with the top end of the social enterprises sector in India and continuously benchmarked to be above the average compensation offered in the social (non-commercial or development) sector in general but significantly above the average compensation offered by TBIs.

Fixed Monthly Gross

Role & Responsibilities - Key Result Areas

1) Head – Forge.Lighthouse

• Identify, engage, and onboard industrial clients onto the Forge.Lighthouse platform, securing leadership buy-in and long-term partnership alignment.

• Lead multi-level engagement strategies targeting C-suite, operations, and digital transformation teams to ensure holistic buy-in.
• Develop tailored onboarding journeys for diverse client segments, including MSMEs and large enterprises.
• Foster long-term partnership models with shared value creation and co-innovation frameworks.
• Collaborate with client sponsors to define strategic objectives, align innovation themes, and prioritise focus areas for innovation pilots.
• Work closely with industrial teams to define clear innovation challenges, performance indicators, and success criteria aligned with enterprise goals.
• Develop and present data-backed business cases incorporating scenario planning, ROI justification, and cost-benefit analysis to validate project viability.
• Oversee end-to-end execution of pilot projects, ensuring milestones, budget adherence, and risk mitigation through agile program management practices.
• Use benchmarking against industry best practices to set ambitious yet achievable targets.
• Coordinate with CxOs to create structured horizontal deployment roadmaps for successful innovations.

2) Centre Head - FORT.Hosur

• Serve as the single point of accountability for all FORT.Hosur operations, ensuring prompt resolution of issues and efficient stakeholder management.
• Facilitate day-to-day operational support to program teams for the seamless implementation of initiatives with external partners.
• Coordinate with relevant Government agencies to uphold statutory and regulatory compliance and ensure smooth centre functioning.
• Provide direct, on-ground support in setting up and standardising operational practices at FORT.Chennai, including routine travel to the site.
• Identify and uncover operational inefficiencies and areas for improvement to unlock productivity and accelerate program execution.

3) Regional Head - Partnerships & Deal Sourcing

• Build and nurture strategic relationships with corporate clients, MSMEs, academic institutions, and technology majors to unlock commercialisation opportunities via Forge.Lighthouse.
• Implement targeted initiatives to establish CoEs and Advanced Labs with institutional partners, catalysing innovation through infrastructure enablement. 
• Build a robust ecosystem network by actively engaging with stakeholders across industry and academia to accelerate deal flow and program activation.
• Responsible for building and deepening strategic partnerships and sustained engagement with industrial enterprises to scale Industrial Workforce Development programs and systematically expand startup pilot engagements through structured execution and long-term strategic alignment.

4) Head (FORT.Hosur) - Revenue Generation & Commercial Strategy

• Assess industry needs and identify priority technology domains for workforce upskilling, ensuring alignment with emerging trends and industrial transformations.
• Monetise access to physical and technical infrastructure and managed innovation services.
• Facilitate robust industry-startup collaborations; position startups as technology enablers and innovation partners; generate new revenue streams.
• Execute data-driven outreach to promote Forge’s Industrial Workforce Development programs, positioning the brand as a category leader in workforce development.

Required Expertise & Qualifications

• Holds a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree Businsess Administration or Commerce field  from a reputed institution, with 15+ years of hands-on experience  in digital transformation, strategic consulting, or venture-backed enterprises.
• Proven ability to apply deep strategic expertise in complex business challenges, with strong skills in business case development, ROI analysis, and multi-level stakeholder engagement.
• Proficient in strategic management and client collaboration at a senior level, including scoping, budgeting, and delivering on high-impact digital transformation initiatives.
• Strong track record of independently leading complex client engagements and translating strategic objectives into tangible business outcomes.
• Skilled in proposing and implementing cutting-edge solutions that advance a company's strategic agenda and innovation goals.
• Committed to continuous innovation and proactive in driving new business models and process improvements.
• Extensive expertise in digital transformation, business strategy, and venture development with industrial sector exposure (automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, defense), especially in a B2B or B2C context.