Platform Head– Innovation to Translation Support and Grant Management

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Job Title:<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Platform Head\u2013 <\/span><\/span>Innovation to Translation Support and <\/span><\/span>Grant M<\/span>ana<\/span>g<\/span>e<\/span>m<\/span>e<\/span>nt <\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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Location:<\/span><\/span> <\/span>India (Delhi preferred)\u202f<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
<\/span>Department:<\/span><\/span> <\/span>Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN)<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p><\/div>

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About Wadhwani Foundation<\/span>:<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span> <\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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Wadhwani Foundation is a global, technology\-driven not\-for\-profit committed to accelerating job creation, innovation, and skill development in emerging economies. Through a portfolio of programs in skilling, entrepreneurship, and innovation, we aim to empower millions by 2030.\u202f<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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About WIN<\/span>:<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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The Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) supports the translation of high\-quality research into market\-ready products, services, and startups across India. WIN is expanding its platform into a comprehensive solution that empowers researchers across the innovation lifecycle from ideation to commercialization.\u202f\u202f<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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Role Overview:<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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We are seeking a <\/span><\/span>Platform Head <\/span><\/span>to lead the development of a national innovation enablement system. This role spans three core functions:<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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Build entrepreneurship capacity<\/span><\/span> <\/span>in academic researchers through skilling, experiential learning, and founder\-readiness tools.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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1. Develop and manage a national network<\/span><\/span> <\/span>of mentors, experts, and institutions that support researchers in the translation journey.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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  1. Lead product ownership<\/span><\/span> <\/span>of the WIN Innovation Platform, coordinating its development with the Foundation\u2019s internal tech teams and external vendors.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    The ideal candidate brings strong program execution experience, understands product development, and has deep exposure to India\u2019s research, innovation, or startup ecosystems.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    This role is ideal for a professional who understands product thinking, can manage tech buildouts (in partnership with Wadhwani\u2019s internal tech team), and is equally comfortable engaging with innovation ecosystem partners to drive adoption and outcomes.<\/span> <\/span><\/span>This individual will also <\/span><\/span>be responsible for<\/span> <\/span>building and managing a team to achieve this purpose. <\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Key Responsibilities:<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Entrepreneurship Capacity Building<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Design and scale programs that equip researchers with <\/span><\/span>translation and <\/span><\/span>startup skills.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Embed founder\-readiness pedagogy, playbooks, and expert\-led sessions into researcher journeys.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Ecosystem Development & Resource Network<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Identify<\/span>, onboard, and manage mentors, experts, investors, incubators, accelerators, service providers, and funding organizations across India.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Manage day\-to\-day functioning of the network, ensuring partners and beneficiaries engage meaningfully<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Maintain engagement through structured activities: masterclasses, expert connects, clinics, etc.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Track usage, outcomes, and satisfaction to continuously improve network quality.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Product Ownership \u2013 WIN Innovation Platform<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Translate program and user needs into product requirements for the WIN innovation platform.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Coordinate with internal tech/product teams to build or customize platform features (on Salesforce and other tools).<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Ensure platform integrates modules for grant management, milestone tracking, skilling, mentorship, and outcome measurement.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Collaborate with internal AI experts to scope and integrate GenAI tools (e.g., matchmaking, recommendation engines, milestone monitoring).<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Support onboarding, training, and adoption of the platform across institutions and partners.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Strategic Leadership & Team Building<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Build and lead a team of program leads or managers across the three core workstreams: entrepreneurship skilling, expert network, and platform development.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Define success metrics, work plans, and accountability frameworks for each vertical.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Serve as the primary representative of this portfolio to WIN and Foundation leadership.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Required Experience:<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    15+ years of experience in software product <\/span><\/span>development<\/span>, and entrepreneurial <\/span><\/span>ecosystem building.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Experience in innovation, research translation, startup incubation, or skilling ecosystems, including entrepreneurial capacity building products <\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Familiarity with <\/span><\/span>managing data\-rich, multi\-feature platforms that integrate learning, CRM, or workflow tools\u202f<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Demonstrated experience building and managing high\-performing teams across diverse functions.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Strong relationship and stakeholder management skills, with a bias for execution.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Comfort with data tools, dashboards, and structured reporting.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Required Qualification:<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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    Postgraduate/ <\/span><\/span>Ph.D<\/span> <\/span>, in any discipline of science or engineering.<\/span><\/span> <\/span>
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