Business Development Operations in Agroecological Systems of India at VakeWorks

Company Description

VakeWorks is an English-first Swedish company that aims to use systems research and thinking from an algorithms-machines-lives-planet perspective to create regenerative and resilient living systems that are economically profitable and beneficial to society and the planet. The company conducts, facilitates, and enables production, research, development, teaching, and training activities through regenerative approaches to agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, agritourism, and health, as well as consulting and teaching activities in knowledge-intensive areas, including data science, data engineering, machine learning, mathematics, statistics, AI, natural resource management, and therewith compatible activities. VakeWorks wholly-owned Indian subsidiary company will focus on unique strengths around production-centered research, development and education and on those of its partnering farms with high-value natural products for domestic and international markets with its in-house information technologies that provide digitally provable transparency guarantees for income, produce, process, profits and ecology in accordance with VakeWorks Transparency Pledge (see vake.works/pledge for more details).

Role Description

This is a part-time remote role, with some field site visits, currently located primarily in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and that allows for flexibility in working from home but involving travel from time to time. We are looking for an individual to help develop business operations in agroecological systems with the responsibility for leading the company's growth while representing and promoting the company's brand and operations in India in an all-in-one operational capacity during the last three quarters of 2025. The contract can be up to three years long upon reaching set milestones for 2025. The role requires successfully positioning the company as an ethical change agent in Indian and international society, ensuring compliance with Indian laws and guidelines, and working with cross-functional and cross-cultural teams across Europe and India to prioritize and achieve company goals. This role is responsible for overall customer satisfaction, business expansion, operational accounting, import-export operational management, managing research-intensive educational programs for Indian and European clients, and increasing profitability of the Indian branch while working closely with other directors, co-founders, and co-founding VakeWorkers, as well as contractors, both at the Swedish branch who are based throughout Europe, and the Indian branch who are based in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Compensation is based on experience, trans-national team-fit, compatibility with administratively flat-hierarchy and management in Swedish style, willingness to learn unfamiliar notions, tools, knowing when to lead and be led, proving oneself in Q2 of 2025 over a possibly probationary period, professional conduct. Finally, strong preference is given to those interested in models of co-ownership as opposed to stake-free salary. The exact title, scope, responsibilities, time commitments and compensations are mutually negotiable. The role directly reports to Raazesh Sainudiin, Director, Co-Founder & CEO of VakeWorks AB and VakeWorks India Pvt. Ltd, and is expected to work closely with Rajesh Rajagopalan, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder, India at VakeWorks.

Qualifications in addition to the must-have qualifications in the screening questions

• At least a few years of experience, about half of which is in leading and managing a large team, particularly in India and preferably in Kerala and/or Tamil Nadu
• Demonstrated experience in growing and scaling a division or business unit in India, within agribusiness, environmental sustainability, or related area
• Demonstrated leadership experience in areas such as business development, marketing strategy, operations and P&L management. Experience with marketing and sales to rural and under-served communities would be a plus
• Proven success in recruiting, developing, mentoring and retaining high-performing leaders & teams throughout an organization
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders with different cultures, languages, and backgrounds
• A willingness to take calculated risks, and a deep passion for social and environmental sustainability
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration or any relevant degree from an accredited institution; Master's degree would be a plus. Having a degree is not a prerequisite for the position.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills that showcase cultural competence as well as the ability to inspire, motive and lead the team
• Fluency in English, and either in Malayalam or Hindi (preferably Malayalam and ideally both), along with excellent verbal and written communication skills is a strong requirement. Familiarity with Swedish, Finnish and/or Lithuanian is a plus but not required.
• Willingness to learn new mathematical concepts and algorithmic structures relevant for business operations in fields including contract theory, auction theory, etc., as well as new standards and protocols for decentralized and secure business communications and transactions
• Familiarity (or willingness to learn) with task-oriented and brief business communications culture in IT or Knowledge-intensive industry is required.