Programe Manager (Placement & Industry Linkages)

Opportunity for a consulting professional to support senior government leadership in designing and executing high-impact placement and industry linkage programs across sectors

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end program management for placement and industry linkage initiatives, encompassing strategy formulation, implementation oversight, and performance monitoring.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior government leadership by providing data-backed insights, structured recommendations, and decision support on workforce and employment initiatives
• Design and institutionalize scalable operating models, governance frameworks, SOPs, and review mechanisms for industry engagement and placement outcomes
• Conduct sectoral, employer, and labor market analyses to identify demand-driven opportunities, priority sectors, and high-impact partnerships
• Lead complex stakeholder management across multiple government departments, corporates, industry associations, training partners, and academic institutions
• Structure, negotiate, and operationalize strategic partnerships, MoUs, and engagement frameworks with private-sector employers
• Develop robust KPI frameworks, MIS dashboards, and reporting systems to track outcomes, risks, and program effectiveness
• Prepare executive-ready presentations, cabinet notes, concept papers, and briefing materials for senior leadership and review committees
• Identify implementation gaps, assess delivery risks, and recommend corrective and course-correction strategies to ensure program success
• Support pilot design, proof-of-concept initiatives, and scale-up strategies across sectors and geographies
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams, consultants, and external agencies to deliver against defined milestones and timelines

Qualifications

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree from a

  reputed / top-tier management institute.

• 3–5 years of post-qualification professional experience

  in consulting, program management, or public sector projects
• Prior experience with

  Big Four or leading consulting / advisory firms

  will be an added advantage
• Experience of working with

  Central/State Government departments, PMUs, or large public-sector programs

  is desirable
• Demonstrated expertise in

  program design, implementation support, stakeholder coordination, and monitoring & evaluation

• Strong capability in

  policy analysis, preparation of DPRs, concept notes, cabinet briefs, and review presentations

• Proficiency in

  MIS development, data analysis, Excel-based tracking, and PowerPoint presentations

• Excellent

  communication and drafting skills

  in

  English and Hindi

• Ability to work in a

  milestone-driven environment

  with senior government stakeholders
• Willingness to be based full-time in

  Bhubaneswar

  and work closely with senior leadership