Operations Lead, Istri Project

About Udhyam:
Udhyam Learning Foundation (Udhyam) is on a mission towards Making Bharat Entrepreneurial. We believe that entrepreneurship is a powerful way to channelize an individual’s potential. Entrepreneurship enables agency and allows an individual to work on their strengths while creating value for the world. Our programs:

• Udhyam Shiksha works on developing entrepreneurial mindsets among the youth and enabling them to achieve their potential, having impacted ~40,00,000 learners across 12 Indian states.
• Udhyam Vyapaar focuses on nano businesses in India, and solving large problems faced by them, at scale; having already enabled income uplift for 10,000+ entrepreneurs.

Location: Lucknow & Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
About the project:
The Istri Project at Udhyam Vyapaar upgrades streetside ironing vendors from coal-based iron boxes to LPG-based ones. These ironing vendors are often found on street corners, serving local households. Traditional coal-based boxes cause: Low productivity High fuel costs Severe long-term health hazards The LPG iron box is an innovation that addresses these challenges while significantly improving livelihoods. Our 3-fold model – Awareness, Accessibility, and Affordability – enables sustainable adoption at scale. The model has been successfully implemented in Bangalore, Chennai, Jaipur and Delhi and is now being expanded to other cities, including Lucknow and Kanpur. Role & Responsibilities The Program Lead will be responsible for planning, implementing, and scaling the project in Lucknow and Kanpur with support from the field team. Key Responsibilities:
Build and lead the city-level team (hiring, onboarding, and managing field staff). Ensure smooth on-ground operations and timely program delivery. Implement structures and processes at the regional level. Monitor operations and provide timely solutions to challenges. Build and manage retail and operational partnerships. Track program progress, share reports, and support donor requirements. Collaborate with the core data team to collect, analyze, and report impact metrics. Drive ownership, commitment, and result-oriented execution. Skills & Knowledge Strong leadership and team management skills. Experience in implementing field projects or managing grassroots operations/sales. Excellent problem-solving and decision-making ability. Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders. Data-driven mindset – ability to track, analyze, and adapt strategies. Good communication and reporting skills. Language Preference Hindi (mandatory – spoken & written) English (spoken & written) Work Experience 3 – 5 years of relevant experience in program implementation, field operations, or social impact projects.