Senior Manager (Karigar, School of Applied Learning)

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About Lend A Hand India :

Lend A Hand India, established in 2006, has been pioneering with over 20 years of on-field experience in the integration of skill education with mainstream schooling by working at the intersection of education and livelihood to make learning engaging, and connected to future livelihoods.

Our 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

Here's how this role will empower you to leverage your experience and ambition:

Become a Systems Architect

Here, you will help build and refine the system itself. You will directly influence policy, design scalable models, and create the frameworks for lasting change.

Experience the Scale with Depth.

You understand growth. This role offers a canvas unlike any other: to see your proven strategies with earlier experience in expansion, operational excellence, and team leadership replicated across thousands of schools, impacting millions of students in a direct, measurable way.

Master the Ultimate Collaboration

This is your chance to gain unparalleled experience synergizing the three most powerful forces in development: government bodies, corporate CSR, and local communities. You will navigate this complex ecosystem to drive projects of genuine national importance.

Lead with True Autonomy and Ownership.

You will be the visionary leader of a pioneering national initiative. We provide full autonomy to lead a multi-disciplinary team, direct P&L responsibility, and calendar-driven targets, giving you the freedom to build and execute with the same rigor you'd expect in a top corporate role.

. Build your Legacy as a National Changemaker

Your work will directly create skilled professionals, confident entrepreneurs, and a stronger national economy. You will be recognized as a key architect in implementing the NEP2020, shaping policy, and featuring in national forumsleaving an indelible mark on the country.

Position overview:

Lend A Hand India (LAHI) is at the forefront of implementing India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 through its groundbreaking initiatives. Two of those initiatives are Karigar School of Applied Learning and the mobile Skills on Wheels (SoW) fleet. With formal mandates from state governments to scale these models, we are looking for a dynamic Manager to drive on-ground execution and help bring hands-on, vocational education to millions of students.

Why Karigar & Skills On Wheels Matter:

Karigar is a first-of-its-kind skills hub that transforms theoretical knowledge into practical expertise for thousands, making working with hands aspirational and universal.

Skills on Wheels breaks barriers to access, bringing multi-sector skill labs on wheels to remote and resource-limited schools, becoming India's most visible mobile skills movement.

Both directly address NEP2020's vision for integrated, hands-on, vocational learning for every child, every district.

This Manager role is responsible for the end-to-end execution and expansion of Lend A Hand India's skill education initiatives across multiple states. The core mandate involves launching and ensuring the smooth operation of Karigar hubs and Skills on Wheels mobile labs in strict adherence to government guidelines and SOPs. A critical component of the role is building and developing a high-performing pan-India field team through strategic recruitment, mentoring, and capacity building. The Manager will also drive operational excellence by monitoring KPIs, managing vendors, and engaging with government stakeholders and local communities to foster partnerships, generate demand, and showcase impactful success stories.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Execution & State Support:

• Support the launch and operations of new Karigar hubs across multiple states as per the expansion plan in collaboration with Skills on Wheels team
• Ensure strict adherence to government-mandated infrastructure, curriculum, and operational SOPs at each site.
• Manage the scheduling, routing, and operational readiness of mobile labs to maximize reach and impact.

Team Handling & Development:

• Responsible to recruit, manage, and mentor a growing pan-India field team, including mid level Managers, Lab Trainers, and operations staff.
• Foster a high-performance culture by setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and conducting performance reviews.
• Identify skill gaps and implement targeted training programs to build capacity and ensure team readiness for scale.
• Build a robust leadership pipeline by empowering team members and creating opportunities for professional growth.

Operational Management:

• Implement and monitor standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for all aspects of Skill hub and Skills on Wheels unit operations.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) through weekly dashboards, ensuring projects stay on time and on budget.
• Manage vendor relationships for civil works, tool procurement, and lab maintenance.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy Support:

• Liaise with government school officials, district education officers, and other local stakeholders to ensure smooth operations.
• Execute local marketing and community engagement campaigns to generate awareness and demand.

• Document and showcase field success stories for internal reporting and donor updates.

Minimum Skills and experience:

• 12 -15 years of experience in field operations, project expansion & management
• Proven experience in managing multi-location operations and implementing SOPs for scale.
• Demonstrated experience in end-to-end team handling: recruitment, mentoring, performance management, and development of large, distributed teams.
• Exceptional data analysis and reporting skills, with proficiency in creating dashboards and tracking metrics.

Preferred Skills and experience:

• Prior exposure to the development sector, vocational training, or skill education. Technical background will be a plus.
• Experience in vendor and supply chain management, specifically for tools, equipment, or labs.
• Experience in stakeholder management with government or public systems.
• Understanding of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its implications for vocational education.

Key Attributes for Success:

• Passion for Mission
• Operational Excellence
• People First Leader
• Driver of Outcomes
• Resilience and Grit