Career Development Manager

ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE LEARNINGLighthouse Learning Group, formerly known as EuroKids International, is India's leading Early Childhood & K-12 Education group, backed by global investment firm KKR. Driven by its purpose to unlock human potential by igniting the love for learning through its institutions, which includes leading brands like EuroKids Preschool, Kangaroo Kids Preschool, EuroSchool, Billabong High International, Mother's Pet Kindergarten, Centre Point School, Heritage International Xperiential School, Heritage Xperiential Learning School, Finland International School Maldives and Phoenix Greens School of Learning. Nurturing over 200,000 students every day, Lighthouse Learning emphasizes a 'Child First' philosophy, innovative pedagogy, and child safety. With 1,850+ Preschools and 60 K-12 Schools, it empowers 1,650 women entrepreneurs and employs a direct and indirect workforce of over 22,000 people.Role Purpose: To empower students to discover their strengths, explore career pathways, and access world-class higher education opportunities through strategic guidance and global partnerships.Role and responsibilities1. Strategic Leadership & Program DesignDevelop and implement a Group-wide Career Development framework, integrating global best practices in career counseling, university readiness, and student development.Design and manage structured programs for students (Grades 7–12) that promote self-discovery, informed decision-making, and future readiness.Collaborate with academic leaders to embed career readiness and higher education preparation within the curriculum.2. University Partnerships & External EngagementBuild and sustain partnerships with leading domestic and international universities, industry bodies, and scholarship organizations to create diverse pathways for students.Curate and manage an annual University Engagement Calendar, including fairs, webinars, and on-campus events to strengthen the school-university connect.Represent Lighthouse Learning Group at higher education forums, fairs, and global education conferences.3. Counseling Excellence & Capability BuildingLead, mentor, and upskill the Career Counselling team across schools to ensure consistency in delivery and alignment with the Group's strategic vision.Establish standards, tools, and processes for personalized student guidance, including psychometric assessments, profiling, and college readiness tracking.Provide advisory support to School Principals and Counsellors on complex or high-stakes university admissions cases.4. Operations, Analytics & Quality AssuranceMonitor and analyze trends in university admissions, student career interests, and program outcomes to guide strategy and continuous improvement.Oversee the management of student data and documentation required for university applications, transcripts, and recommendations.Drive implementation of a Career Development Management System (digital platform) for tracking student progress and university placements.5. Stakeholder CollaborationPartner with internal stakeholders — Academic R&D, School Leadership, and Communications — to promote the Career Development agenda.Engage with parents and the broader school community through sessions, workshops, and communication initiatives to build awareness and trust.Support the Head – Career Development & Higher Education Readiness in strategic initiatives and policy formulation for the function.Experience and QualificationQualifications & ExperienceMaster's degree in Education, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field.10–12 years of experience in career counseling, higher education advising, or university partnership management, preferably in a K–12 or international education environment.Strong understanding of global university admission processes (U.S., U.K., Canada, Europe, India, and emerging markets).Proven experience in building institutional partnerships and leading multi-stakeholder programs.Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.Key CompetenciesStrategic Thinking and ExecutionRelationship Management and CollaborationInfluencing and Stakeholder EngagementData-driven Decision MakingPassion for Student Development and Educational Excellence