Lead - Strategic Partnerships

Lead – Strategic Partnerships Location:

Pune Organisation:

Confederation of Indian Private Universities (CIPU) About CIPU The Confederation of Indian Private Universities (CIPU) is India’s national association of private universities, representing over 100 institutions across the country. CIPU works closely with academic leaders, policymakers, regulators, industry bodies, and international partners to strengthen India’s higher education ecosystem through policy engagement, strategic dialogue, collaboration, and thought leadership aligned with national priorities. Role Overview The

Lead – Strategic Partnerships

will be responsible for building, managing, and scaling long-term institutional partnerships for CIPU across academia, government, industry, and international bodies. This is a

managerial, ownership-driven role

requiring strategic thinking, strong execution capabilities, and the ability to operate as a chamber professional within a complex higher education ecosystem. The role integrates

relationship management, program leadership, and institutional coordination , with a strong focus on delivering

sustained, measurable outcomes . Key Responsibilities Develop, manage, and grow strategic partnerships with universities, government bodies, regulators, embassies, chambers, industry associations, and international organisations relevant to higher education. Lead end-to-end execution of partnership-driven initiatives, including

roundtables, conferences, delegations, MoUs, and policy dialogues . Act as the primary institutional interface for strategic partners, ensuring

continuity, credibility, and long-term engagement . Work closely with senior leadership to translate CIPU’s strategic objectives into

structured and executable partnership programs . Track commitments, follow-ups, and partner deliverables to ensure

effective execution and institutional memory . Represent CIPU in

meetings, consultations, and sector forums , as required. Candidate Profile 6–8 years of relevant experience in a

chamber of commerce, industry association, think tank, policy institution, or higher education administration . Proven experience in conceptualising, organising, and managing

conferences, roundtables, and multi-stakeholder engagements . Strong understanding of the

Indian higher education ecosystem , including regulatory frameworks and policy processes. Demonstrated ability to manage

senior stakeholders

with professionalism, discretion, and maturity. Excellent

written and verbal communication skills . High ownership mindset, with the ability to

think strategically, execute independently, and build long-term institutional value . What This Role Is Not Not a sales-driven or short-term business development role. Not a purely operational or junior coordination position. Why This Role? This role is ideal for professionals who aspire to

build institutions, shape policy dialogue, and create long-term ecosystem impact , rather than merely executing transactional tasks. It offers a pathway to

long-term leadership within India’s higher education and policy ecosystem .