Manager (Government Partnerships - Maharashtra)

Job Title: Manager (Government Partnerships)

Location: Pune/ Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Travel : As per the need of the projects within the state

Position Overview:

As the Manager (Government Partnerships) for Maharashtra state, you will provide strategic leadership and oversee the implementation of vocational education initiatives. This role involves high-level government liaison, stakeholder engagement, program monitoring, resource management, and team leadership to drive impactful vocational education programs across two states.

While leading the State you will be responsible for strategizing and managing the overall implementation of vocational education in Maharashtra as part of the Samagra Shiksha or any other similar programs. You will lead the end to end management of the Vocational education program in the state, coordinate with government officials, oversee program execution, develop partnerships, manage teams, and drive policy advocacy to ensure the successful implementation and scaling of vocational education initiatives.

This role requires strong leadership, project and team management, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to navigate government systems and influence policy. Lend A Hand India’s mission:

Equip School Students to Maximise Their Potential Through Skill Education Our Approach:

• Direct implementation in schools
  
• Partnership with central-state governments to define, and scale policy
  
• Building of Centres of Excellence that act as lighthouses for innovation
  
• Resource organisation for the skilling ecosystem

Our Knowledge in Action:

Through the design & execution of innovative models from training centres, innovation hubs to mobile outreach initiatives, LAHI’s innovative knowledge resource drives both grassroots learning and systemic transformation across India. With 250+ LAHI staff embedded in state education systems across 20+ states, we provide technical and project management support enabling governments to translate policy into action. Our Reach:

LAHI’s current scale of work includes,

• 20+ States and UTs
  
• 15000+ Schools
  
• 15 Lakh+ Students
  
• 250+ Team Members

What Truly Sets a Career at Lend A Hand India Apart:

• Work as a Systems Architect, not just an Implementer: You help build and refine the system itself, influencing policy and creating lasting change.
  
• Experience the thrill of scale with depth: See your ideas and efforts replicated across thousands of schools, impacting millions of students in a measurable way.
  
• Master Complex Collaboration: Gain unparalleled experience navigating and synergizing the worlds of government, corporate CSR, and community.
  
• Career with a Tangible Legacy: Your work directly creates skilled professionals, confident entrepreneurs, and a stronger national economy.
  
• Investment in you: We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive support & robust benefits and a culture that actively champions your professional development and holistic well-being.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Drive different projects and initiatives of Lend A Hand India in Maharashtra including on ground implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework 2023 for Vocational Education
  
• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for implementing vocational education under the Samagra Shiksha Program in the state.
  
• Build alignment with national and state education policies, collaborating with relevant stakeholders for effective execution.
  
• Build partnerships and collaborations with different stakeholder groups including non-profits, government bodies and philanthropic and CSR organisations for supporting projects

Government Liaison & Policy Advocacy

• Serve as the primary point of contact for state-level education departments, ensuring smooth implementation of vocational education initiatives.
  
• Represent LAHI in government meetings, forums, and consultations to advocate for skill education reforms.
  
• Work closely monitor vocational education activities of State PMU unit
  
• Periodic meetings and reporting to Sr Govt. officials and key stakeholders

Stakeholder Management & Industry Engagement

• Develop and strengthen partnerships with NSDC, Sector Skill Councils, Vocational Training Providers (VTPs), State Institutions like SCERT and State Education Board and other key organizations like PSSCIVE, NCVET , etc. .
  
• Facilitate active participation of industry partners to enhance skill training and employment linkages for students.
  
• Organize and lead multi-stakeholder meetings, conferences, and training sessions.

Program Implementation & Monitoring

• Manage PMU Team, ensuring high-quality delivery of skill-based education.
  
• Develop monitoring frameworks and data-driven decision-making processes to track program impact.
  
• Drive the key initiative of Internships, employer and partner connect and effective roll out of technology systems in the state.

Budgeting & Resource Management

• Manage state-level program budgets and resource allocation to ensure efficient implementation.
  
• Work with internal teams to streamline processes and documentation, including drafting official proposals, presentations, and government submissions.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Lead and mentor State teams (Project Management Units and project implementation team on ground project coordinators, instructors, and field staff, fostering a culture of learning and excellence.
  
• Provide training and capacity-building support to ensure teams are well-equipped to deliver high-impact programs.
  
• Ensure knowledge sharing and adoption of best practices across teams.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Experience –

Master’s degree in Social Work, Public Policy, Management, Education, or a related field.

8–10 years of experience in:

• Government engagement
  
• Program implementation
  
• Experience in leading a team

Strong understanding of government schemes and policy frameworks related to education and skill development experience in:

• Advocacy
  
• Project management
  
• Strategic planning
  
• Managing large-scale education programs
  
• Ability to work independently while being a team player in a fast-paced environment
  
• Willingness to travel extensively within and outside the state as required

Preferred Qualifications & Experience –

• Well versed with MIS systems
  
• Experience leading vocational/skill development initiatives

Key Attributes -

• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with government agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders
  
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills to influence policy decisions
  
• Ability to manage large teams, multi-stakeholder coordination, and complex program implementation
  
• Strong analytical, data-driven decision-making and reporting skills
  
• Fluency in English and the state’s official language (spoken and written)
  
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)