Job Title

Applications should be submitted to: Manager — AuthenticaDepartment: Program Delivery & Operations Location: Pune, India (office-based with international travel) Reports To: Head of Operations Team: Individual Contributor Effective Date: FY 2026-27 (May 2026)About AuthenticaAuthentica is a Pune-headquartered experiential learning and global education company specialising in study abroad programmes, global internships, executive education, and professional development. We serve 70+ university partners across the US, Canada, and Australia, operating programmes in 30+ countries. Our clients include Stanford, Dartmouth, NYU, and other leading institutions.We manage flagship government-sponsored executive education programmes including the UAE-India Leaders Program, delivered in partnership with the National Projects Office (NPO) under the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs and the Zayed Education Foundation.We are on an ambitious growth trajectory targeting Rs. 60 CR revenue in FY 2026-27 and an IPO by 2030. This role is critical to achieving that vision.Role SummaryThe Program Manager is accountable for end-to-end delivery of Authentica's programs — from proposal and planning through on-ground execution and post-program debrief. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role for someone who takes pride in tight logistics, anticipating what can go wrong, and executing with precision in demanding international contexts. Your north-star metric is participant experience and program quality.You will join a lean, capable operations team delivering high-quality programming across global destinations. This isn't a desk role with occasional travel — you will be on the ground regularly, managing real situations in real time, representing Authentica's standards at every touchpoint.Candidates with a business school background will find opportunities to contribute beyond core operations — supporting business development, marketing, and scaling of Authentica's standard semester programs, global internships, and India Outbound portfolio.Key ResponsibilitiesProgram Design & ProposalsEvaluate service providers and community partners; negotiate rates and secure contractsBuild accurate costing sheets and translate them into proposals for institutional partnersDesign itineraries that balance academic rigour with genuine cultural immersionMaintain program templates, costing frameworks, and proposal libraries for reusePlanning & Pre-DepartureOwn the end-to-end planning process: resources, timelines, milestones, dependencies, and contingenciesDevelop a comprehensive safety and risk management plan for every programCoordinate across vendors, partners, and internal teams before departureManage program budgets and track expenditure against approved costing sheetsEnsure compliance with health, safety, and liability standards for each destinationOn-Ground DeliveryTravel with groups and lead on-the-ground execution — reception, orientation, daily programme managementManage service providers and local partners in real time; adapt as neededHandle contingencies calmly, keeping participants safe and stakeholders informedServe as primary point of contact for faculty directors and institutional coordinators during deliveryCollect and document participant feedback throughout for post-program evaluationPost-Program Reporting & Continuous ImprovementCompile post-program reports: NPS scores, budget reconciliation, incident summaries, and learningsConduct structured debriefs with clients and internal teamsMaintain alumni engagement touchpoints and support re-booking conversationsSystems & ReportingMaintain program tracking on across all active programsProactively flag resource constraints, budget variances, and delivery risks to the Head of OperationsRequired QualificationsEducationBachelor's degree in any discipline (required)Business school background (BBA/MBA) or postgraduate degree in International Relations, Education Management, or Hospitality (preferred)Experience3–5 years managing operations and partner relationshipsDemonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-vendor projectsExperience with institutional clients — universities, government agencies, or corporatesInternational stakeholder exposure is a strong plusSkills & CompetenciesOperational & Analytical ExcellenceExceptional organisational skills with strong project management capabilityAnalytical enough to build solid costings, synthesise data, and write clear reportsComfortable with ambiguity and fast-changing situations — you solve problems, not just escalateProficient with project management tools (, Zoho, or equivalent)Budget management and financial reconciliation skillsCommunication & Stakeholder ManagementStrong written and verbal English communication; multilingual skills a genuine plusConfident facilitator for orientations, briefings, and debrief sessionsCulturally intelligent across academic, government, corporate, and community contextsRelationship builder who earns trust quickly; emotional intelligence with diverse stakeholdersPersonal QualitiesGenuine passion for cross-cultural education and international engagementHigh ownership mindset: you follow through, take accountability, and care about the detailsEntrepreneurial instinct: you spot opportunities and act without waiting to be askedPhysical and mental resilience for high-travel, high-pressure delivery environmentsCollaborative team player who contributes to a culture of continuous improvementWork ExpectationsHours: Full-time (40–45 hrs/week); flexibility required during peak program periodsTravel: Significant domestic and international travel for programme delivery, recce visits, and partner meetings across GCC and APAC marketsCollaboration: Internal (CEO, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Academic) and external (faculty directors, university partners, vendors, DMCs)Probation: 3 monthsCompensation & BenefitsRs. 7,00,000 – Rs. 10,00,000 per annum (Fixed + Performance Bonus)All official travel expenses coveredProfessional development budgetBudget for professional networking and relationship-buildingAccess to Authentica's global network of partners and thought leadersOpportunity to lead prestigious programmes of strategic national importanceESOP eligibility after 24 monthsHow to ApplySend your application with:CV/resume with detailed operational management experienceCover letter addressing: (1) experience managing complex, multi-vendor international programmes; (2) a specific programme you owned end-to-end — what went wrong and how you handled it; (3) what excites you about this workReferences from previous supervisorsOptional but strongly encouraged: a sample proposal, costing sheet, itinerary, or post-program reportApplications should be submitted to: is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Authentica Ventures Pvt. Ltd. | #8 NCL-B Colony, Panchavati, Pashan, Pune 411008 |