Head of Organization
Ground Zero
Job Description
Role: Head of Organization, UP, Lucknow
Experience: 10-16 Years
Salary: Up to 24 LPA
Note: We are seeking a candidate with strong entrepreneurial skills who can take complete ownership of managing and leading the entire organization.
Role Overview:
After years of building the organization, the co-founders are ready to step back from daily operations and hand over the strategic and operational reins to a passionate, visionary leader. This role offers the autonomy to shape the future direction and vision of the organization. While the founders transition into supportive, non-imposing advisory and coaching roles, the incoming leader will assume end-to-end ownership of the organization.
Key responsibilities include driving fundraising and proposal development, managing domestic and FCRA financial compliance, and operationally leading our flagship youth and sports-for-development initiatives.
This is a highly entrepreneurial, "hands-on" leadership position. It requires balancing high-level strategic vision with direct, day-to-day execution alongside a passionate, young team.
Key Responsibilities
1. Fundraising & Donor Management
- Lead the fundraising strategy and actively build a robust pipeline to sustain and scale existing programs.
- Manage relationships with existing institutional donors, CSR partners, and High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs).
- Drive the end-to-end creation of high-quality grant proposals, concept notes, and pitch decks, ensuring alignment with donor expectations and organizational goals.
2. Strategy & Program Oversight
- Translate long-term strategic goals into clear, achievable quarterly and annual operational plans for core programs.
- Oversee program delivery to ensure high-quality outcomes, maintaining a strong focus on monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) metrics.
- Represent the organization at development sector forums, networks, and conferences to elevate its institutional profile.
3. Financial Management & Compliance
- Oversee the organization's financial health, ensuring strict budget adherence, optimal cash flow management, and cost-effective operations.
- Collaborate with external financial and secretarial partners to ensure total compliance with Indian non-profit regulations (including Section 8/Trust/Society mandates, 12A, 80G, FCRA, and timely filing of returns).
4. Team Leadership & Culture
- Manage, mentor, and inspire a tight-knit team of 10, fostering a culture of high accountability, psychological safety, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Optimize internal workflows and role structures to ensure the team remains efficient, motivated, and closely aligned with the mission.
Candidate Profile & Competencies
Required Qualifications
- 10–12 years of professional experience, with at least 4–5 years in a leadership or senior managerial role within the Indian development sector or social enterprise ecosystem.
- Demonstrated experience in securing funding from CSR grants, domestic foundations, or retail donors in India.
- Prior experience in small or mid-sized non-profits is highly preferred. Comfort with ambiguity, entrepreneurial drive, and a proven willingness to work hands-on are essential.
- Fluency in both English and Hindi (essential for community and stakeholder engagement).
Core Attributes of the Ideal Candidate
- Child-Centric Focus: Anchors every decision, strategy, and action in the absolute best interests of the children and the community served.
- Hands-on Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ready to roll up sleeves across all functions—equally adept at corporate CSR pitches, budget spreadsheets, legal reviews, and grassroots field visits.
- Resource Optimization: Optimizes a 1 Cr budget through lean operations and creative partnerships rather than heavy infrastructure.
- Empathetic Leadership: Inspires a small team through high empathy and shared decision-making, keeping everyone deeply aligned with the mission.
Hiring Note: Applications will be reviewed on rolling basis. This job is first posted on 31st July, 2026 on Ground Zero
For any questions, ping us on WhatsApp chat: +91-8058331557