Program Manager - Operations

Role Overview

The Program Manager – Operations will be responsible for building, running, and scaling the operational backbone of IITM CDOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation. This role is central to ensuring that multi-institutional programs under the National Quantum Mission and allied deep-tech initiatives are executed with rigor, compliance, predictability, and speed.

The role requires a strong blend of operational discipline, program governance, financial and administrative coordination, and stakeholder management across academia, government, startups, and industry partners.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Operations Management

• Own end-to-end operational execution of Foundation programs, including hubs, projects, startup engagements, and collaborative initiatives.
  
• Translate Governing Board and CEO-level decisions into executable operational plans with timelines, milestones, and accountability.
  
• Track program progress across multiple workstreams; identify risks, bottlenecks, and corrective actions.
  

Governance, Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure adherence to DST, MeitY, NQM, and other government guidelines, grant conditions, and compliance frameworks.
  
• Coordinate statutory, audit, utilization certificate (UC), and milestone-based reporting requirements.
  
• Maintain strong documentation practices for approvals, MoUs, contracts, and program records.
  

Financial & Administrative Coordination

• Work closely with finance teams to manage budgets, fund flows, disbursements, and expense tracking.
  
• Support grant management, startup funding disbursements, and vendor payments in line with approved policies.
  
• Assist in procurement coordination, asset tracking, and infrastructure utilization.
  

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Coordination

• Act as the operational interface between IIT Madras, C-DOT, government bodies, startups, vendors, and partners.
  
• Coordinate meetings of Governing Boards, Technical Committees, and Review Panels.
  
• Support industry visits, delegations, reviews, and audits.
  

Process Design & Institutionalization

• Design and institutionalize SOPs, playbooks, and process frameworks for repeatable execution.
  
• Build scalable operational systems aligned with long-term institutional sustainability.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Management, Public Policy, or related fields.
  
• 8–12 years of experience in program management, operations, or institutional roles within academia, government, or deep-tech ecosystems.
  
• Strong familiarity with government-funded programs, grants, or mission-mode initiatives.
  

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional organizational and execution skills with attention to detail.
  
• Strong written and verbal communication for formal reporting and stakeholder interaction.
  
• Ability to operate in ambiguity and manage multiple parallel initiatives.
  
• High integrity, ownership mindset, and comfort with structured governance environments.
  

Reporting & Interface

• Reports to: CEO, IITM CDOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation
  
• Works closely with: Program Directors, Finance, Legal, IITM faculty, C-DOT teams, startups, and government stakeholders.