Climate Asia

About the Organisation Our partner is a pioneering organisation dedicated to building inclusive, high-quality education systems for children and communities across India. They are looking for a Deputy CEO who will partner closely with their Founder/CEO to strengthen operations, academic delivery, and fundraising - while ensuring their work stays rooted in feminist and inclusive values.Role Overview The Deputy CEO will serve as second-in-command, providing strategic and operational leadership across the organization's diverse programmes. This role demands a leader with classroom credibility, large-scale operational experience, and strong fundraising acumen. They will directly oversee programme quality, staff performance, fundraising strategy, and stakeholder engagement while representing the organization with donors, government, and partners.This is a full-time, on-site role, requiring a long-term commitment of 5+ years.Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Executive Support- Act as Deputy to the Founder/CEO, driving both operational and academic excellence.- Support the CEO in setting and executing organizational strategy to achieve their mission and long-term goals.- Act as a strategic partner to the CEO, providing operational and policy-level support, and deputizing in the CEOs absence when required.- Drive innovation and ensure scalability and sustainability of programs.Team Leadership & Culture- Manage, mentor, and inspire large, cross-functional teams while building internal capacity for leadership and innovation.- Oversee programme delivery, staff performance, budgets, and systems that enable scale (350-600 staff).- Strengthen institutional capacity, build leadership pipelines, and foster a culture of inclusiveness, collaboration, and high performance.- Coach and mentor senior staff to build a strong pipeline of future leaders.-[ Model inclusive, feminist, and collaborative leadership.Programme & Quality Education- Oversee the design and implementation of innovative education programs that ensure measurable improvements in learning outcomes and system effectiveness.- Champion the advancement of quality education that integrates academic learning with gender justice, social justice, and active democratic citizenship.- Ensure academic quality and accountability frameworks are implemented effectively.- Lead continuous improvement cycles using research, data, and field insights.- Provide leadership in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and curricula.- Work hands-on in schools and communities to stay grounded in grassroots realities.Fundraising & Resource Mobilization- Shape and execute fundraising strategy, managing donor relations and institutional partnerships.- Lead efforts to secure diverse funding streams, cultivate long-term donor partnerships, and drive financial sustainability.- Lead fundraising and resource development efforts to diversify and strengthen financial sustainability.Governance, Systems & Policy Engagement- Strengthen organizational governance, compliance frameworks, and policy systems to ensure accountability and transparency.- Advocate for policy reforms in education and gender equality at state, national, and global levels.- Serve as spokesperson when required, maintaining a credible, politically neutral presence.- Represent the organization with government agencies, donors, partner organizations, and national and international education forums to enhance visibility and influence, and maintain long-term relationships.- Build partnerships with schools and education systems to promote equity, inclusiveness, and excellence in teaching and learning.Operational Oversight- Provide consistent, on-site leadership from the office to ensure smooth execution of all programs and initiatives.Candidate Profile Must-Have Qualifications:- Classroom teaching experience (non-negotiable).- 10+ years of leadership experience in education or mission-driven organisations.- Proven track record of managing programmes/operations at scale (350-600 staff).- Strong fundraising ability - donor cultivation, institutional fundraising wins, and strategy execution.- Comfort with data, research, and program evaluation frameworks.- Willingness to relocate to Lucknow and commit full-time, Women candidates will be preferred for this position.- Academic research background or published work in education.- Experience in both non-profit and for-profit education delivery models.- Media presence or public speaking experience.Mindset & Values- We are looking for someone who:- Brings a feminist and inclusion-first outlook into program design and leadership.- Practices collaborative, coaching-based leadership rather than top-down management.- Maintains a politically neutral public profile, safeguarding donor and stakeholder trust.- Has demonstrated loyalty and long-term commitment in previous roles. (ref:iimjobs.com)