Head of Innovation Management

Head – Incubation Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) – Amaravati # ; Location: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh # ; Type: Full-time | Senior Management # ; Reports to: Group Chief Executive Officer, RTIH About RTIH The Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) is a Section 8 not-for-profit company established under the Government of Andhra Pradesh through the APIS . As the State’s principal platform for innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship , RTIH leads a Hub-and-Spoke network connecting regional innovation foundations across Andhra Pradesh. RTIH aims to drive inclusive growth and create a vibrant innovation culture under the Andhra Pradesh Innovation & Startup Policy (4.0) 2024–2029 , nurturing startups, institutions, and entrepreneurs across sectors. Role Overview The Head – Incubation will lead the design, execution, and management of RTIH’s incubation and acceleration programs across the Hub and Spokes. This role will ensure that each startup supported by RTIH receives structured mentorship, access to networks, and pathways to market, funding, and growth. The Head – Incubation will work closely with the Group CEO and Spoke CEOs to operationalize incubation processes, mentor engagement, startup selection, and performance tracking. This role will interface with external stakeholders for incubation-specific collaborations , such as accelerator partners, CSR programs, and innovation challenges. Key Responsibilities A. Program Design & Execution Develop and oversee incubation and acceleration frameworks across the RTIH network. Establish standard operating procedures for startup onboarding, evaluation, and graduation. Curate sector-specific cohorts aligned with State priorities and RTIH’s thematic focus areas. Ensure incubation centers across Spokes maintain consistent standards of service delivery and impact measurement. Facilitate smooth operational management of incubation facilities, including resource allocation, coordination with support teams, and on-ground stakeholder communication. Collaborate with mentors, experts, and academic partners to strengthen startup capability-building modules. Ensure all compliance requirements related to incubator operations, government regulations, startup documentation, and reporting standards are met across all Spokes. B. Startup Selection & Portfolio Management Lead the call-for-applications and selection process for startups under RTIH’s programs. Guide Spoke teams in identifying, evaluating, and nurturing high-potential startups from across Andhra Pradesh. Monitor the progress of incubated startups through structured review mechanisms and milestone tracking. Design mechanisms for performance-based support, graduation, and post-incubation linkages. Provide direct guidance to startups on business strategy, entity registration, fundraising preparation, market access pathways, and regulatory adherence. C. Mentorship & Ecosystem Building Expand and manage RTIH’s mentor pool, ensuring startups have access to domain experts, investors, and industry leaders. Facilitate regular mentoring clinics, review boards, and demo days. Coordinate with the Head – Partnerships for joint initiatives involving corporates, VCs, and academic institutions. Build partnerships specifically focused on incubation programs—such as accelerator tie-ups, research labs, and testbeds. D. Monitoring, Impact & Reporting Establish KPIs and impact measurement frameworks for all incubation activities. Prepare periodic dashboards for the Group CEO and Board summarizing startup performance, outcomes, and learnings. Ensure data-driven decision-making through systematic use of RTIH’s digital platforms. Maintain and oversee a comprehensive and continuously updated database of all startups incubated or accelerated across the RTIH network. E. Strategic Input & Leadership Contribute to policy formulation, funding models, and incubation strategy under the Group CEO’s guidance. Provide inputs for new program proposals, MoUs, and grant applications related to incubation. Represent RTIH at ecosystem events, conferences, and government platforms related to innovation and entrepreneurship. Qualifications & Experience MBA/PGDM (Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Management, or equivalent) or equivalent post graduation from NIRF top-tier/ global institutions. Minimum 7 years of experience in managing incubation, acceleration, or innovation programs. Demonstrated track record of working with startups, incubators, or government innovation missions. Strong understanding of startup lifecycle, fundraising, and business-model validation. Familiarity with public–private partnerships, CSR-funded programs, and national startup ecosystem dynamics. Excellent communication and team leadership skills with the ability to work across institutions. Core Competencies Strategic thinking and operational excellence in startup incubation. Stakeholder management across academia, corporates, and government. Data-driven decision-making and program evaluation. Strong mentoring orientation and entrepreneurial mindset. Integrity, ownership, and commitment to RTIH’s mission of inclusive innovation. # ; Compensation: ₹10–15 lakhs per annum (CTC), based on experience and interview performance. RTIH reserves the right to modify, expand, or revise the responsibilities listed in this Job Description based on evolving organisational needs.