Centre Head

This role is for one of the Weekday's clients

Salary range: Rs 400000 - Rs 700000 (ie INR 4-7 LPA)

Min Experience: 5 years

Location: Pune

JobType: full-time

As the Centre Head – Program Manager (Livelihoods), you will lead the strategic and operational management of a livelihood and youth development center focused on creating sustainable social impact. This role combines program leadership, stakeholder management, and people management to ensure effective delivery of youth-focused livelihood initiatives. You will oversee end-to-end program implementation, ensure alignment with government and donor objectives, and drive measurable outcomes through strong monitoring and evaluation practices. The role requires deep engagement with the social sector ecosystem, including government bodies, training partners, employers, and community stakeholders, while building a motivated team committed to empowering youth through employability and skill development programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the center, ensuring smooth and timely program execution
• Plan, implement, and monitor livelihood and youth development programs aligned with organizational and government objectives
• Manage program budgets, resources, timelines, and compliance requirements
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government departments, local authorities, and implementation partners
• Act as the primary point of contact for government liaison, audits, reviews, and reporting
• Ensure effective Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems to track outcomes, impact, and continuous improvement
• Prepare and present program reports, dashboards, and impact assessments to internal and external stakeholders
• Lead, mentor, and develop center staff, trainers, and field teams to achieve performance and impact goals
• Ensure quality delivery of training, placement, and post-placement support initiatives
• Identify risks, operational challenges, and bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions proactively
• Promote community engagement, youth mobilization, and awareness of livelihood opportunities
• Ensure compliance with social sector standards, policies, and ethical practices

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) or a related social sciences discipline
• Minimum 5 years of experience in program management within the social sector, livelihoods, or youth development
• Proven experience working with government-funded or government-aligned programs
• Strong understanding of employability, skill development, and livelihood ecosystems
• Hands-on experience in Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks, data tracking, and impact measurement
• Excellent stakeholder management and government liaison skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage centers, and drive performance in field-based environments
• Strong communication, documentation, and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and outcomes
• Passion for social impact, youth empowerment, and inclusive development