Business Head – Government Initiatives (Skilling & Education)

Work Location: Delhi, India Experience: 15–20 years Function: Business Development / Strategic PartnershipsAbout upGrad Enterprise:upGrad is India’s largest online higher education company, enabling working professionals and organizations to upskill and reskill for the future. Through upGrad Enterprise, we partner with corporates, government bodies, and public sector organizations to deliver impactful skilling, employability, and capability development programs at scale.Role Overview:The Business Head – Government Initiatives (Skilling & Education) will be responsible for leading and expanding the organization’s skilling and vocational training business within the government ecosystem. The role demands strategic leadership, business acumen, and deep understanding of government programs, tendering processes, and large-scale project management. The incumbent will drive partnerships, ensure delivery excellence, and strengthen the organization’s positioning as a trusted partner in national and state-level skilling initiatives.Key Responsibilities:1. Business Strategy & GrowthDevelop and execute the business strategy for government skilling verticals (e.g., PMKVY, NAPS, DDU-GKY, state missions, CSR collaborations, etc.).Identify new business opportunities, partnerships, and geographies for expansion.Drive revenue growth and profitability while ensuring alignment with organizational goals.Monitor market trends, policy changes, and emerging government initiatives in skill development.2. Government & Stakeholder ManagementBuild and maintain strong relationships with key government stakeholders—ministries, NSDC, SSCs, State Skill Missions, and allied departments.Represent the organization in key government forums, industry events, and policy discussions.Manage end-to-end tendering and proposal submission processes, ensuring compliance and competitiveness.3. Program Design & Delivery OversightOversee implementation of large-scale skilling projects ensuring adherence to timelines, quality standards, and financial targets.Collaborate with operations and training teams to ensure on-ground execution excellence.Drive digital and innovative skilling models (e.g., blended learning, RPL, industry-linked programs).4. Financial & Operational AccountabilityOwn the P&L for the Government Skilling vertical.Monitor project budgets, cost optimization, and cash flows.Implement robust governance and reporting mechanisms for all projects.5. Leadership & Team ManagementBuild and lead a high-performing team of regional and project heads.Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.Provide mentoring and professional development opportunities to team members. Skills & Competencies:Strategic thinking and business development expertise.Excellent relationship management and influencing skills.Strong financial acumen and project management capabilities.Deep understanding of government procurement, compliance, and audit processes.Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.Agility to adapt to evolving government priorities and policy shifts. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Revenue growth and profitability of the government skilling vertical.Number and scale of projects acquired and successfully executed.Timely execution and compliance of ongoing projects.