Strategy Associate

Job Description

Job Title: Strategy Associate Department: CEO’s Office Location: Kolkata Reporting To: Strategy Lead About Us At India Autism Center, our vision is to create a world-class ecosystem that provides holistic care and enables the neurodiverse community to be self-reliant. We aim to empower individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, fostering an inclusive society where neurodiversity is celebrated. Samaavesh, our pioneering initiative set to open in 2026 near Kolkata, spans over a large area and offers specialized housing, caregivers, vocational programs, medical care, and more. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where neurodiverse individuals and their families thrive. Join us in making a profound difference in the lives of those we serve. At India Autism Center, you will be part of a transformative journey, shaping an inclusive community that uplifts and supports one another. Position Overview: As the Strategy Associate at India Autism Center, you will own the financial tracking and budget processes that keep our programs on course, while also supporting policy refinement, monitoring and evaluation, and risk management across departments. Reporting to the Strategy Lead, you will build and maintain systems that drive transparency and accountability—preparing financial dashboards, coordinating M&E data, updating SOPs, and flagging emerging risks. You will learn how a mission-driven organization operates by connecting strategy with execution and enabling our teams to focus on delivering life-changing services. It’s a dynamic, cross-functional role for someone who wants to understand how an organization runs from the inside out. Key Responsibilities: Strategy Implementation Support development and tracking of organizational goals and strategic initiatives, with a strong emphasis on budget forecasting, financial modeling, and cost‐benefit analyses. Ensure departmental priorities align not only with overall strategy but also with financial targets and compliance requirements. Prepare internal reports and presentations—incorporating financial dashboards and variance analyses—for strategy reviews and senior leadership updates. Monitoring & Evaluation Collaborate with departments to design and carry out M&E frameworks Track program progress, document findings, and ensure timely closure of action items Maintain and update financial dashboards and program records Policies, SOPs & Compliance Review and streamline policies, SOPs across departments to ensure clarity, consistency, and internal audit readiness. Work with departmental leads and legal/compliance advisors to revise policies based on operational needs and regulatory best practices. Maintain a centralized, regularly updated digital repository of all policies, SOPs, and compliance documentation Risk Management Support development and implementation of a structured risk management framework that incorporates financial, legal, and operational risks. Maintain the organizational risk register and track mitigation plans across departments—ensuring legal/compliance gaps (e.g., NGO regulations, labor laws) are identified and escalated. Coordinate periodic risk reviews and assist in escalating any critical financial or regulatory risks Special Projects Plan, execute, and monitor time‐bound special projects initiated by the CEO’s Office—especially those requiring financial feasibility analysis, contract negotiations, or internal control design. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project timelines, financial compliance, and deliverables are met. Identify requirements for new systems or process tools; coordinate vendor evaluations, implementation timelines, and user‐training sessions. Administrative, Strategic Coordination & Legal Support Conduct background research and prepare briefing materials Provide high‐level administrative and coordination support for strategy‐related initiatives and meetings, including preparing detailed minutes, following up on action points, and tracking approvals. Manage scheduling, meeting documentation, and action tracking for cross‐functional reviews Proactively identify opportunities to streamline internal systems and improve cross functional information flow Qualifications: Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Finance or a closely related field (e.g., Finance & Strategy). Additional certification or coursework in monitoring & evaluation, risk management, or nonprofit governance is a plus. Experience: At least 2 years experience in a finance‐ or strategy‐focused role (preferably within the development/social sector, NGO, or impact‐driven organization). Demonstrated experience in budget forecasting, financial modeling, and cost–benefit analysis—ideally having owned or co‐owned annual budgeting cycles and variance analyses. Exposure to designing and implementing M&E frameworks, including tracking key performance indicators, drafting progress reports, and ensuring timely closure of action items. Hands‐on involvement in policy or SOP development—from initial research and stakeholder consultation through to final sign‐off. Familiarity with risk management practices, including maintaining a risk register, coordinating risk review meetings, and escalating financial or compliance-related risks to leadership. Proven track record supporting or leading special projects—especially those with a strong financial component (e.g., feasibility analyses, vendor negotiations, or system implementations). Solid background in administrative and strategic coordination, such as preparing briefing materials, coordinating cross-functional meetings, and tracking approvals or follow-up actions. Skills & Competencies: Strong analytical and organizational skills. Excellent verbal and written communication, especially for summarizing complex inputs. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work across teams with professionalism. Strong attention to detail and ability to follow through on tasks. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and comfortable building/managing financial dashboards. Competency in presentation tools (e.g., PowerPoint, Canva) for reporting and strategy updates. Discretion and sensitivity in handling confidential information. Comfortable navigating ambiguity—you’re resourceful, adaptive, and can create clarity where none exists. Show more Show less