Head – Government Relations & Partnerships

Role Overview

This is a senior leadership role focused on driving large-scale adoption of education interventions within public systems. The role involves shaping government demand, influencing policy and procurement pathways, and converting pilot initiatives into long-term, state-wide implementations.

The position requires deep engagement with government stakeholders, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to operate effectively in long-cycle, high-ambiguity environments.

Key Responsibilities

Government Partnerships & Procurement

• Lead end-to-end engagement with central and state governments
• Drive inclusion of interventions in government budgets, programs, and schemes
• Influence RFPs, tenders, and procurement frameworks
• Convert pilot programs into multi-year or statewide implementations
• Ensure alignment with internal teams on compliance, feasibility, and execution

Policy & Advocacy

• Develop and execute policy and advocacy strategies
• Track regulatory and policy developments relevant to the sector
• Lead creation of policy briefs, research, and position papers
• Represent the organization in policy discussions and forums

Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage relationships with senior government stakeholders
• Engage with policymakers, bureaucrats, and institutional bodies
• Represent the organization in external forums, conferences, and consultations
• Collaborate with development and multilateral organizations where relevant

Narrative Building & Ecosystem Influence

• Shape narratives that support adoption of large-scale education interventions
• Engage with media, academia, and ecosystem stakeholders
• Use evidence and outcomes to build credibility and trust
• Track policy sentiment and emerging discourse to inform strategy

Strategy Execution

• Own and drive the government engagement strategy end-to-end
• Translate strategy into clear execution plans and milestones
• Ensure cross-functional alignment and strong program management
• Maintain momentum across long-term engagements

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 12–20+ years of relevant experience
• Background in government, public sector consulting, or education/social sector preferred
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Government engagement and stakeholder management
  • Policy influence and advocacy
  • Managing large-scale public sector programs
  • Deep understanding of Indian government and education sector systems and procurement processes

Originally posted on Himalayas