Manager - Placements

We are now looking for an experienced professional to guide and enhance our student-led

placements efforts.

Role Context

The context in which IIIT Hyderabad operates has changed significantly. We are moving beyond

"Seasonal Placements" to a year-long engagement model. The Manager will play a critical

operational and strategic role in managing the sheer volume of increased student intake while

addressing the niche hiring needs of deep-tech research streams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Corporate Outreach & Negotiation (The "Hunter" Role)

• New Age Acquisition: Identify and onboard "New Age Companies" and firms not

traditionally known as tech companies but who are leveraging AI for business

transformation.

• Negotiation: Lead discussions with recruiters regarding "Day Zero" slots, visit dates, and

compensation packages to balance student aspirations with company requests.

• Niche Hiring: specialized focus on finding roles for MS by Research and PhD scholars,

ensuring companies understand the value of thesis-based talent.

• Lateral Hiring: Develop channels for lateral hiring opportunities for alumni or experienced

candidates where applicable

2. Operations & Systems Implementation

• Process Architecture: Move beyond the current ad-hoc management by establishing

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and robust processes to connect all placement

activities.

• Cycle Management: Manage the intense operational aspects of the placement season,

ensuring seamless scheduling for B.Tech, M.Tech (CS, ECE, Product Management), and

Research students.

• Student Coordinators (SPCs): Manage and mentor the Student Placement Coordinators

(SPCs), transforming them from support staff into effective student ambassadors.

3. Strategic Engagement (Year-Round)

• Beyond the Season: Shift the focus from purely seasonal placement drives to year-long

industry engagement.

• Campus Presence: Organize career fairs, student awareness events, and strategic partner

visits to maintain industry visibility on campus throughout the academic year.

• Alumni Engagement: Collaborate with alumni to create a "pull" factor for current students

within their respective organizations.

4. Student Management & Alignment

• Aspiration Management: Address the changing motivations of the student base, including

those in new courses like Geo-Spatial and Product Management (PDM).

• Feedback Loop: Work with the Manager of Mentoring & Counselling to feed industry

insights back into student preparation, ensuring students are "market-ready" regarding soft

skills and industry awareness.

5. Operational Excellence

• Develops and executes placement strategies in collaboration with the Head of Career

Guidance and placement committee, aligning them with institutional goals and student

needs.

• Uses analytics to track outcomes, identify trends, and make informed decisions to

improve student employability.

• Leverages digital tools and platforms to streamline operations, enhance student services,

and manage data effectively.

• Collaborates with internal offices, faculty, recruiters, alumni, and industry to ensure

smooth execution of all career-related activities.

• Maintains accurate records and prepare periodic reports for internal and external

stakeholders.

• Use data analytics to track student performance and placement success rates.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Education & Experience

• Background: A Technical background (B.Tech/BE) is preferred to understand the nature of

the institute's work, combined with an MBA or relevant management experience.

• Experience: Proven experience in placements, corporate relations, or talent acquisition.

Ideally looking for a transition overlapping with the retiring incumbent.

Key Competencies

• Industry Connected: Well-connected in the industry, ideally capable of reaching beyond

HR departments to technical leadership.

• Systems Thinker: Ability to put systems and processes in place to handle the complexity

of multiple streams (B.Tech, MS, PhD) and high volumes.

• Negotiator: Capable of balancing the high aspirations of students for international exposure

with the practical constraints of recruiters.

• Engaging Personality: Must act as a bridge between the student body (Student

Bodies/SPCs) and the corporate world, maintaining high energy and approachability.

Timeline:

• December - 2025: advertising, resume gathering

• January - 2026: Shortlist/Interview

• January - February 2026: Joining

Compensation:

Reports to:

Location:

Interested Candidates may apply with a detailed CV by clicking the below

link. Resumes will be processed as and when received

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMy1uaaUWffruaovz3abz1tRwV3HS4eBxcoi2Z66p2vEKlTg/viewform