Chief Operating Officer

Company Description

Empower Pragati is a pioneering organization in skill development and employment generation, established as one of the first funded partners of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in 2010. Over the past decade, we have trained more than 4.5 lakh youth across India, focusing on formal and informal sectors. We collaborate with government initiatives such as PMKVY/PMKK, DDUGKY, and NSQF, and work with corporates to implement effective CSR projects. Our mission is to uplift underprivileged sections of society, including vulnerable youth, women, juvenile delinquents, specially-abled individuals, and school/college dropouts. By combining large-scale impact with sustainable solutions, we aim to address unemployment and enhance livelihoods in both urban and rural India.

Job Description: Chief Operating Officer

Location: [Head Office Delhi]

Reporting to: Managing Director

Role Overview

The COO will be responsible for driving operational excellence across all organizational functions of Empower Pragati. The role will focus on strengthening execution, ensuring compliance, scaling programs efficiently, and aligning day-to-day operations with the organization's strategic vision and social impact goals.

The COO will work closely with the MD and senior leadership team to translate strategy into execution across multiple geographies, partners, and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Sustainability & Profitability

Drive organizational profitability and financial sustainability by improving project margins, cost efficiency, and optimal resource utilization across all projects and geographies.

Ensure each project operates within approved budgets and achieves targeted surplus / contribution margins.

Strengthen financial discipline, forecasting, and variance analysis across departments.

2. Program & Operations Management

• Oversee end-to-end operations of all organizational projects across states. Ensure timely and high-quality execution of projects in line with government, CSR, and donor guidelines.
• Monitor operational KPIs including enrollments, training delivery, placements, retention, and outcomes.
• Drive process standardization and operational efficiency across centers and projects.

3. Strategic Planning & Execution

• Translate organizational strategy into annual operating plans and measurable outcomes.
• Support expansion into new geographies, sectors, and partnerships.
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies.

4. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Lead and mentor state heads, program managers, and functional leads.
• Build strong second-line leadership and succession planning.
• Foster a performance-driven, mission-aligned culture across the organization.

5. Compliance, Quality & Governance

• Ensure compliance with NSDC, SSCs, CSR partners, government schemes, and statutory requirements.
• Strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance systems.
• Oversee audits, inspections, and donor reviews in coordination with finance and compliance teams.

6. Financial & Resource Management

• Work closely with the Finance team on budgeting, cost control, and financial sustainability.
• Optimize utilization of resources, infrastructure, and manpower.
• Support fund utilization tracking and reporting for donors and partners.

7. Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key point of contact for government bodies, CSR partners, donors, and strategic collaborators.
• Support fundraising and proposal development with operational inputs.
• Represent the organization in high-level meetings, reviews, and forums.

8. Systems & Process Improvement

• Drive adoption and optimization of ERP / MIS systems (HR, finance, operations).
• Strengthen data-driven decision-making and reporting mechanisms.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across departments.

Educational Qualifications

• Master's degree in Management / Operations / Social Work / Development Studies / Public Administration
• MBA / PGDM from a reputed institute preferred

Experience Requirements

• 1215 years of overall experience, with at least 57 years in a senior leadership or operations head role
• Experience in skill development, education, livelihoods, CSR programs, or development sector is preferred but not mandatory.
• Proven experience managing large, multi-location teams and projects

Strong operational and execution capability

Strategic thinking with hands-on leadership approach

Excellent stakeholder and people management skills

High level of integrity, accountability, and compliance orientation

Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills

Ability to work in fast-paced, impact-driven environments

Salary Range 20-25 LPA