Senior Manager - Programme Development

Role: Senior Manager - Programme Developments, Mumbai
Experience: 10-14 years
Salary: 10- 18 LPA

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About the Role:

The role is to design and scale a play-based learning programme for children in Maharashtra, starting from pilots and building it into a large, integrated system across schools and anganwadis. It involves leading programme design, running field pilots, working closely with partners and M&E teams, and building a team over time.

The key expectation is someone who can turn ideas into real, working programmes on the ground and scale them into a system-level model that improves children’s learning experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Ownership

• Lead the design of the Foundational Play Programme across multiple contexts (AWW urban/rural, primary urban/rural, partner/non-partner settings)
• Develop an integrated programme model from pilot learnings into a scalable, documented design
• Ensure design is grounded in child development and learning research, and translates effectively into classroom practice

Pilot Design & Management

• Design and manage pilots across contexts, including learning questions, design cycles, and synthesis
• Collaborate closely with the M&E team to embed evaluation into design from the outset
• Engage regularly in field visits to ensure real-world insights shape design decisions

Team Building

• Build and lead a programme design team as the work scales
• Develop Managers and Consultants aligned with programme needs
• Foster a culture of rigorous, child-centred, and creative design thinking

External Partnerships

• Identify, onboard, and manage external technical agencies for programme design and implementation
• Ensure alignment of partners with design intent and quality standards
• Build relationships with external experts and content specialists

Learning & Evidence

• Synthesize pilot learnings and translate them into iterative programme improvements
• Document and structure programme knowledge for internal and external use
• Contribute to organisational learning and external communication of the evolving model

Who We Are Looking For:

• Programme architect: Has designed and scaled complex programmes from concept to implementation
• Child-centred thinker: Anchors all design decisions in child development and learning science
• Field-driven: Actively engages with on-ground realities and lets them shape design thinking
• Strong team builder: Builds and leads high-performing design teams with clarity and trust
• Strategic + hands-on: Comfortable in both field settings and high-level design discussions
• Evidence-minded: Uses data and M&E as core inputs into programme design, not afterthoughts

Must-Haves:

• 10–14 years of experience in programme design, curriculum development, or related fields in education/child development/development sector
• Proven experience leading programme design from concept to pilot to scale
• Experience building and managing teams
• Strong grounding in child development and learning research with applied programme experience
• Familiarity with M&E frameworks and evidence-based programme design
• Strong English communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to work closely with M&E teams and integrate evidence into design

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in play-based learning or life skills programmes in India
• Experience working with government education systems in Maharashtra
• Fluency in Hindi or Marathi

Hiring Process:

Step 1: HR Screening Call (30 minutes)
Step 2: Technical Interview (programme design, research, and experience; In-person)
Step 3: Leadership Interview (In-person)
Step 4: Culture Fit / Team Interaction

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Hiring Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This job is first posted on June 2, 2026 on Ground Zero

For any questions, ping us on WhatsApp chat: +91-8058331557