Chief Executive Officer – Skilling Initiative

Company Overview

The Deshpande Foundation is a purpose-driven organization focused on transforming youth livelihoods through innovative skilling initiatives. It aims to contribute to nation-building and empower youth by providing them with the skills necessary for employment and sustainable livelihoods.

Job Summary

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will lead the Foundation's Skilling Initiative, providing strategic and organizational leadership to develop scalable, sustainable, and impactful programs. This role demands a visionary leader who can balance strategic thinking with execution, build a high-performing organization, and engage closely with government and stakeholders to influence youth skilling.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the long-term strategy and growth agenda for the Skilling Initiative.
• Develop innovative and scalable solutions to tackle youth employability and livelihood challenges.
• Position the Foundation as a thought partner with state governments and national policymakers on youth skilling.
• Build and strengthen relationships with government, industry, development organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead and develop an organization of approximately 500 employees, fostering a culture of ownership, collaboration, and impact.
• Coach and develop the senior leadership team while establishing credibility and trust across the organization.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, ensuring effective program delivery and measurable impact.
• Identify opportunities to scale successful models and establish sustainable approaches to youth livelihoods.
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong bias for action while maintaining a long-term strategic perspective.

Qualifications

• Deep commitment to social impact and the Foundation's mission.
• Genuine passion for transforming youth livelihoods through skilling.
• Ability to think from first principles and challenge conventional approaches.
• Strong understanding of how to engage with governments and influence policy.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop large teams.
• Strong executive presence and credibility-building skills.
• Coaching aptitude for senior leaders and a focus on creating a high-performance culture.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to move between strategy and execution.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in social impact, skilling, education, livelihoods, development, social enterprise, or related fields.
• Background in leadership roles outside of traditional pathways, demonstrating a strong commitment to social impact.

Experience

The Foundation welcomes candidates from various professional backgrounds, prioritizing those with demonstrated purpose and leadership potential over conventional CEO experience. Experience gaps can be addressed through coaching and mentoring.

Environment

The role is based in Hubli, Karnataka. Candidates should be open to relocating to this area, which offers a strong quality of life, infrastructure, schools, connectivity, and an environment conducive to meaningful work.

Growth Opportunities

This position offers the opportunity to build and scale an institution focused on transforming youth livelihoods, shaping the future of skilling, and contributing meaningfully to nation-building.

Benefits

• Not specified.