Senior Project Manager - Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives

About Central Square Foundation

Founded in 2012, Central Square Foundation (CSF) is a non-profit philanthropic foundation working on the vision of ensuring quality school education for all children in India. We are driven by our mission to transform the school education system with a focus on improving learning outcomes of children, especially from low-income communities.

We believe that ensuring Universal, Early, Conceptual and Procedural Mastery of Foundational Skills is absolutely essential for the overall success of the education system. In order to achieve this, we partner with individuals and social impact organizations to bring innovative solutions in education, as well as work with the government to drive systemic impact. We collaborate with the ecosystem to leverage knowledge, build evidence and create proven tools around critical issues such as early learning, EdTech, classroom instruction methods and governance.

We also support exceptional social entrepreneurs with powerful ideas, undertake application-oriented research, provide a platform for sharing of innovation, and collaborate with other stakeholders in the ecosystem to find policy solutions - all towards enabling sustained change in India’s educational system.

CSF’s team members bring a deep sense of commitment and passion towards our collective vision that every child deserves quality education. We strive for excellence in everything we do and collaborate to create an impact as we move closer to achieving our mission. We encourage an entrepreneurial outlook that evokes new and bold ideas along with taking smart risks. CSF provides a dynamic, learning and positive environment that is driven by our strong sense of values.

Position Summary

Central Square Foundation (CSF) partners with multiple central government agencies to design and implement large-scale education reform initiatives aimed at transforming school education in India. These initiatives encompass co-creation and execution of comprehensive project plans, offering technical expertise in project planning, and facilitating coordination among multiple implementing agencies.

The Senior Project Manager (SPM), based in New Delhi, will play a pivotal role in driving these ambitious reforms. The SPM will work collaboratively within a team to lead key deliverables, navigate complex work streams, and engage with senior government officials and other stakeholders effectively. Success in this role will require exceptional problem-solving capabilities, the ability to manage diverse stakeholders, and strategic leadership to ensure reforms are implemented efficiently and aligned with CSF's mission to improve the quality of school education across India.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Stakeholder Management and Collaboration:
• Build and sustain relationships with a diverse network of stakeholders, including senior government officials, corporate partners, educational nonprofits, and community leaders.
• Effectively manage stakeholder expectations and foster an environment of trust and collaboration.
• Strategic Planning and Execution:
• Lead the planning, design, and execution of high-impact strategic initiatives to advance project objectives.
• Work in close collaboration with internal teams to align project goals with CSF’s overarching mission.
• Demonstrate critical problem-solving capabilities to address project challenges and course-correct as necessary.
• Research and Evidence-Based Interventions:
• Conduct and oversee research activities to generate actionable insights.
• Identify innovation opportunities and design evidence-based solutions to address educational gaps.
• Project Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Develop and implement robust tracking frameworks to monitor project outcomes and ensure alignment with timelines and budgets.
• Prepare high-quality reports and presentations that communicate impact, progress, and recommendations for funders, stakeholders, and CSF leadership.
• Operational Excellence:
• Manage administrative functions such as budget monitoring, scheduling, and vendor management.
• Onboard and manage vendors to ensure seamless and efficient execution of project priorities.
• Provide regular updates to CSF management on progress, key insights, and opportunities for improvement.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree 
• 4 to 6 years of relevant work experience 
• Candidates with experience in high functioning consulting environment and project management, preferably with experience in strategic initiatives or multi-stakeholder partnerships within government projects
• Comfort and experience with project management tools (e.g., Google Sheets, Asana, Trello or similar) to track progress, manage workflows, and ensure accountability
• Experience engaging with governments, corporate partners, NGOs, and/or other key education system actors
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including budgeting, scheduling, and stakeholder engagement
• Fluency in English is mandatory and Hindi is preferred
• Open to travel to partner sites when needed 

Desired Qualities

• Entrepreneurial spirit and ‘can-do’ attitude
• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative with strong coordination skills
• Outcome-oriented and thrives in a team environment
• Ability to adapt to emerging situations and multitask efficiently
• Manage professional relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent management skills including attention to detail, ability to organize/present information and ability to multitask

Compensation

Remuneration will be competitive with Indian philanthropy pay scales and will depend upon the candidate’s experience levels.