Manager (Government Partnerships - Maharashtra)

Job Title: Manager (Government Partnerships)

Location: Pune/ Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Travel : As per the need of the projects within the
state

Position Overview:

As the Manager (Government Partnerships) for Maharashtra
state, you will provide strategic leadership and oversee the implementation of
vocational education initiatives. This role involves high-level government
liaison, stakeholder engagement, program monitoring, resource management, and team
leadership to drive impactful vocational education programs across two states.

While leading the State you will be responsible for
strategizing and managing the overall implementation of vocational education in
Maharashtra as part of the Samagra Shiksha or any other similar programs. You
will lead the end to end management of the Vocational education program in the
state, coordinate with government officials, oversee program execution, develop
partnerships, manage teams, and drive policy advocacy to ensure the successful
implementation and scaling of vocational education initiatives.

This role requires strong leadership, project and team
management, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to navigate
government systems and influence policy. 

Lend A Hand India’s 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
  
  

What Truly Sets a Career at Lend A Hand India Apart:

• Work
  as a Systems Architect, not just an Implementer: You help build and refine
  the system itself, influencing policy and creating lasting change.
  
• Experience
  the thrill of scale with depth: See your ideas and efforts replicated
  across thousands of schools, impacting millions of students in a
  measurable way.
  
• Master
  Complex Collaboration: Gain unparalleled experience navigating and
  synergizing the worlds of government, corporate CSR, and community.
  
• Career
  with a Tangible Legacy: Your work directly creates skilled professionals,
  confident entrepreneurs, and a stronger national economy.
  
• Investment
  in you: We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive support &
  robust benefits and a culture that actively champions your professional
  development and holistic well-being.
  
  

Key Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Drive
  different projects and initiatives of Lend A Hand India in Maharashtra
  including on ground implementation of the National Education Policy 2020
  and National Curriculum Framework 2023 for Vocational Education
  
• Develop
  and execute a strategic roadmap for implementing vocational education
  under the Samagra Shiksha Program in the state.
  
• Build
  alignment with national and state education policies, collaborating with
  relevant stakeholders for effective execution.
  
• Build
  partnerships and collaborations with different stakeholder groups
  including non-profits, government bodies and philanthropic and CSR
  organisations for supporting projects
  

 Government Liaison
& Policy Advocacy

• Serve
  as the primary point of contact for state-level education departments,
  ensuring smooth implementation of vocational education initiatives.
  
• Represent
  LAHI in government meetings, forums, and consultations to advocate for
  skill education reforms.
  
• Work
  closely monitor vocational education activities of State PMU unit
  
• Periodic
  meetings and reporting to Sr Govt. officials and key stakeholders
  

Stakeholder Management & Industry Engagement

• Develop
  and strengthen partnerships with NSDC, Sector Skill Councils, Vocational
  Training Providers (VTPs), State Institutions like SCERT and State
  Education Board  and other key
  organizations like PSSCIVE, NCVET , etc. .
  
• Facilitate
  active participation of industry partners to enhance skill training and
  employment linkages for students.
  
• Organize
  and lead multi-stakeholder meetings, conferences, and training sessions.
  

Program Implementation & Monitoring

• Manage
  PMU Team, ensuring high-quality delivery of skill-based education.
  
• Develop
  monitoring frameworks and data-driven decision-making processes to track
  program impact.
  
• Drive
  the key initiative of Internships, employer and partner connect and
  effective roll out of technology systems in the state.
  

Budgeting & Resource Management

• Manage
  state-level program budgets and resource allocation to ensure efficient
  implementation.
  
• Work
  with internal teams to streamline processes and documentation, including
  drafting official proposals, presentations, and government submissions.
  

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Lead
  and mentor State teams (Project Management Units and project
  implementation team on ground project coordinators, instructors, and field
  staff, fostering a culture of learning and excellence.
  
• Provide
  training and capacity-building support to ensure teams are well-equipped
  to deliver high-impact programs.
  
• Ensure
  knowledge sharing and adoption of best practices across teams.
  

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Experience –

Master’s degree in Social Work, Public Policy, Management, Education, or
a related field.

8–10 years of experience in:

• Government engagement
  
• Program implementation
  
• Experience in leading a team
  

Strong
understanding of government schemes and policy frameworks related to education
and skill development experience in:

• Advocacy
  
• Project management
  
• Strategic planning
  
• Managing large-scale education
  programs
  
• Ability to work independently while
  being a team player in a fast-paced environment
  
• Willingness to travel extensively
  within and outside the state as required
  

Preferred Qualifications & Experience –

• Well
  versed with MIS systems
  
• Experience
  leading vocational/skill development initiatives
  

Key Attributes -

• Proven
  ability to build and manage relationships with government agencies,
  industry partners, and other stakeholders
  
• Strong
  advocacy and negotiation skills to influence policy decisions
  
• Ability
  to manage large teams, multi-stakeholder coordination, and complex program
  implementation
  
• Strong
  analytical, data-driven decision-making and reporting skills
  
• Fluency
  in English and the state’s official language (spoken and written)
  
• Proficiency
  in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)