Program Lead, Spoken English Program, Tamil Nadu

Salary: 16+ LPA   Employment Type: Full Time

About The Education Alliance

The Education Alliance (TEA) is a non-profit organization that warmly welcomes all those who share our passion for providing high-quality education to every child in India. Headquartered in Delhi, we are committed to promoting system reform projects that help to ensure that all children in India have equitable access to quality education.

We support state education departments by deploying highly qualified teams that work with state and non-state actors to co-create solutions to improve the quality of education in government schools. We currently operate in five states (Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand) and are proud to have a dedicated team of 50+ young professionals.

Why TEA?

• Drive meaningful change in the education system by contributing to large-scale, statewide reform projects.
• Collaborate closely with top government leaders, including ministers and IAS officers, shaping the future of education in India.
• Work in a certified Great Place To Work® that values positivity, purpose, and people.
• Benefit from progressive policies that prioritize well-being, flexibility, and professional development.
• Build a fulfilling career with opportunities for growth, learning, and impact in the not-for-profit sector.
• Live our core values: Build Together, Rise Above, Take Charge, and Chase Perfection.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a dynamic and highly driven senior professional with at least 6–8 years of relevant experience, preferably in consulting, government, or the education sector. This individual must have:

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent team management skills. 
• A deep understanding of education reform and how system-level change occurs.
• Strong resilience and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, including working closely with bureaucrats, educators, and partner organizations.
• Tech and product fluency, particularly in translating on-ground program needs into digital solutions that support scale and adoption.
• Proficiency in both Tamil and English, to effectively communicate and manage operations across varied geographies and stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, excellent communicator, and empathetic leader who is deeply committed to improving educational outcomes for children in Tamil Nadu.

About Mozhigal:

Mozhigal is a Spoken English Program implemented in over 6,000 government schools with a mandate to scale to 11,000 schools across Tamil Nadu for Grades 6–8. The program integrates technology-enabled and peer-supported learning through language labs and a user-friendly digital portal. It aims to improve spoken English among students through AI-based personalized learning which includes structured lesson plans, progress tracking, and collaborative learning models. The program’s success is paving the way for expansion into other languages, including Tamil.

Position Summary:

As the Program Lead, you will drive the state-wide education reform initiative in Tamil Nadu, with a special focus on language development among children in government schools. While the current emphasis is on English, future phases will expand to include additional languages, such as Tamil.

This role sits uniquely at the intersection of policy, pedagogy, and product development. The ideal candidate will not only oversee effective program implementation but also serve as a bridge between diverse stakeholders — including government officials, educators, product developers, and technology and language experts— each bringing different goals, priorities, and perspectives.

This program requires a leader who has the ability to analyze complex information, develop inclusive action plans, and lead teams toward scalable, language-focused interventions across the state system. The Program Lead will be responsible for translating strategic vision into ground-level impact, leveraging digital tools, data, and strong cross-sector collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Leadership and Management:

• Lead the overall planning, execution, and monitoring of the Mozhigal programme ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives.
• Provide strategic direction and guidance to the project team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and resources, ensuring timely delivery of project milestones.

2. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build strong stakeholder relationships and drive alignment across government departments, educational institutions, partner organisations, and parents.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, ensuring project outcomes are aligned with their requirements.

3. Strategic Planning:

• Contribute to the development of long-term strategic plans for the school education department, aligning project objectives with broader educational and societal goals.
• Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and continuous improvement within the project.

4. Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and Objective and Key Results (OKRs) to measure project success and monitor progress against these indicators.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior leadership and stakeholders, highlighting project achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

5. Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead and support team members by setting clear goals, providing day-to-day guidance, and fostering professional growth.
• Develop a highly motivated and highly engaged team. 

6. Product/Tech Enablement:

• Lead the development of a robust, user-centric digital portal that powers language learning interventions.
• Ensure seamless integration of content, UI/UX, training, and stakeholder adoption within the portal.
• Foster effective collaboration and communication between state technical teams and technology partners to ensure on-time and successful deployment of products within state infrastructure.7. Research & Policy Contribution:
• Conduct research to inform policy recommendations and support decision-making by government partners.
• Document best practices, case studies, and learning reports for internal and external dissemination.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree; background in education, public policy, or product management preferred.
• 6–8+ years of relevant work experience in consulting, government, or social impact sectors.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale projects and multi-stakeholder teams.
• Strong grasp of education systems, particularly public schooling and language acquisition.
• Ability to translate programmatic needs into tech/product specifications.
• Experience in data analysis and performance tracking.
• Proficiency in Tamil (mandatory) and English.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and improving education outcomes at scale.

Recruitment Process:

We follow a thoughtful and structured recruitment process to ensure a strong fit and positive experience.

Application Form –>  Pre-Work –> Technical Interview –> Program Team Immersion –> Interview with the CEO –> Job Offer

If you’re excited about building a language-first education reform movement and working at the intersection of policy, pedagogy, and product, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, fill out the form here.