Assistant Manager (Internships)

Job Title: Assistant Manager - Internship Program

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Travel Requirement: Significant travel within the state (approx. 15 days/month)

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and proactive Assistant Manager to lead the rollout, expansion, and management of our flagship internship program. This is a key leadership role that sits at the operational heart of the program, requiring a blend of strategic coordination, team guidance, and hands-on field execution.

You will be responsible for ensuring the program's effective implementation, building robust partnerships with educational institutions and employers, and managing a team to create meaningful livelihood opportunities for young people.

About Lend A Hand India :

Lend A Hand India, established in 2006, has been pioneering with over 20 years of on-field experience in the integration of skill education with mainstream schooling by working at the intersection of education and livelihood to make learning engaging, and connected to future livelihoods.

Our Mission:

Equip School Students to Maximise Their Potential Through Skill Education

Our Approach:

• Direct implementation in schools
  
• Partnership with central-state governments to define, and scale policy
  
• Building of Centres of Excellence that act as lighthouses for innovation
  
• Resource organisation for the skilling ecosystem

Our Knowledge in Action:

Through the design & execution of innovative models from training centres, innovation hubs to mobile outreach initiatives, LAHI’s innovative knowledge resource drives both grassroots learning and systemic transformation across India. With 250+ LAHI staff embedded in state education systems across 20+ states, we provide technical and project management support enabling governments to translate policy into action.

Our Reach:

LAHI’s current scale of work includes,

• 20+ States and UTs
  
• 15000+ Schools
  
• 15 Lakh+ Students
  
• 250+ Team Members

What Truly Sets a Career at Lend A Hand India Apart:

• 
  Work as a Systems Architect, not just an Implementer: You help build and refine the system itself, influencing policy and creating lasting change.
  
• Experience the thrill of scale with depth: See your ideas and efforts replicated across thousands of schools, impacting millions of students in a measurable way.
  
• Master Complex Collaboration: Gain unparalleled experience navigating and synergizing the worlds of government, corporate CSR, and community.
  
• Career with a Tangible Legacy: Your work directly creates skilled professionals, confident entrepreneurs, and a stronger national economy.
  
• Investment in you: We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive support & robust benefits and a culture that actively champions your professional development and holistic well-being.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Management & Implementation:

• Lead the end-to-end rollout and day-to-day operations of the internship program within the assigned state.
  
• Maintain rigorous program documentation, track data for monitoring and evaluation, and prepare regular progress reports.
  
• Provide administrative and logistical support for state-level activities.

2. Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Identify, build, and manage relationships with key local partners, including employers, private schools, ITIs, and Polytechnics to expand internship opportunities.
  
• Collaborate effectively with internal cross-functional teams (Technology, Communications, MEL) and external government stakeholders.

3. Team Leadership & Capacity Building:

• Manage, guide, and mentor a team of field staff for effective program operations.
  
• Support the design and delivery of training and capacity-building initiatives for your team and partners.

4. Growth & Innovation:

• Drive the expansion of the internship program through new pilots and initiatives in diverse educational institutions.
  
• Proactively identify operational challenges and propose effective, on-ground solutions.

Requirements

What You Will Bring (Qualifications & Experience):

Mandatory:

• A Graduate or Post Graduate degree from a recognized Indian university.
  
• 4-6 years of relevant professional experience in the Education, Skill Development, Employment, or Livelihood sectors.
  
• At least 1 year of direct experience in Student Development Programs.
  
• Proven project management skills, from coordination to execution.
  
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  
• High proficiency in core business tools (MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Google Suite).

Desirable:

• Experience in collaborating with government bodies, preferably in education/skilling.
  
• Experience in scaling social programs and managing multiple projects.
  
• A post-graduate certification/diploma in social work, rural management, education, or a related field.
  
• Prior fellowship experience or a demonstrated entrepreneurial background.

Essential Skills & Competencies:

• 
  Execution: A make-it-happen attitude, able to take initiative and deliver results with minimal supervision.
  
• Adaptability: Comfort working in ambiguous, fast-paced environments and navigating uncertainty with resilience.
  
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Hindi and English. Strong presentation and documentation abilities.
  
• Collaboration: A collaborative spirit with proven stakeholder management skills.
  
• Data Acumen: Good data management and analytical skills.
  
• Empathy, professional integrity, and a sense of humor that helps you learn from setbacks.