Head Learning And Development

Head of Leadership Development Orchids Future Leadership Academy

Location: Bangalore

Reports to: Chief Academic Officer / CXO-level leadership

Why this role matters

You will lead and scale the Orchids Future Leadership Academy — a pioneering leadership-capability engine across 100+ schools. In this role, you will design a robust leadership pipeline, shape organizational culture, influence cross-functional teams, and drive real improvements in school outcomes.

What you’ll do

Strategy & Academy Design

Architect the full Leadership Academy for Principals, Coordinators, Zonal Business Heads (ZBHs), and Management Trainees — including curriculum design, delivery models, competency frameworks, and assessment systems.

Define and embed a leadership model combining instructional excellence, operational mastery, parent engagement, and people leadership.

Lead cohort-based, blended, micro-learning and coaching-led development programs.

Content & Curriculum Development

Create training content tailored to the Indian CBSE school context: case studies, simulation-based learning, and real-world school-based problem-solving exercises.

Ensure all content aligns with Orchids’ academic goals and operational priorities.

Facilitation & Coaching

Facilitate transformational development sessions for senior leaders (Principals, ZBHs, Coordinators, MTs).

Establish coaching programs and train internal facilitators — building a second line of L&D leaders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

Collaborate with HR, Academics, Operations, and Zonal Heads to embed leadership initiatives across the organization.

Build consensus and influence stakeholders without direct authority, using diplomacy and clarity.

Develop governance, SOPs, and accountability frameworks for leadership development initiatives.

Measurement, Impact & Continuous Improvement

Define success metrics: behavioural change, school-level outcomes, leadership pipeline strength, stakeholder feedback (e.g. NPS), etc.

Prepare and present quarterly insight reports to CXO-level leadership.

Use data to refine and evolve the Academy’s programs and impact.

Operations & Scaling

Manage a lean core team; prioritize scalable processes over headcount growth.

Oversee technology stack (LMS, coaching trackers, digital reflections), vendor management, budgeting, assessments, and logistics.

Who you are — Skills & Experience

10+ years of experience with strong background in leadership development, capability building, or organizational development — preferably having designed and run a leadership academy or similar multi-location initiative.

Familiarity with education sector (especially Indian CBSE context) is a plus, but not mandatory.

Skills in strategic thinking, systems design, and building long-term people pipelines.

Strong facilitation and adult-learning design capabilities.

Coaching mindset, with ability to mentor senior leaders and cultivate internal coaches.

Operational discipline: program management, process design, data-driven decision-making.

Excellent stakeholder management skills — able to influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership.

Leadership qualities: integrity, ownership mindset, psychological safety orientation, diplomacy, and courage.

What we offer / Why join us

A rare opportunity to build — from the ground up — a leadership capability engine across 100+ schools, shaping the future of educational leadership at scale.

The autonomy to design, implement, and iterate — with real ownership and strategic visibility at CXO level.

A collaborative, high-impact role bridging academics, HR, operations and leadership — ideal for someone passionate about organizational culture, learning, and long-term impact.