Managing Director, India - Operations

Role Overview

This senior country role will lead the organisation's grid modernisation and power distribution programme in India. The postholder will turn global priorities into an India-specific portfolio focused on utility transformation, grid digitalisation, renewable energy integration, battery storage (BESS) and demand-side flexibility. They will build and manage projects and partnerships, oversee grantees and delivery partners, lead a small on-the-ground team and act as the organisation's voice on grid modernisation in India.

Key areas of work:

• Strategy and portfolio: Shape the India grid portfolio, build a pipeline with DISCOMs, government agencies, MDBs, funders and the private sector, and lead budgeting, concept notes and funding cases.
• Utility and government engagement: Serve as senior counterpart to DISCOMs, regulators and ministries; lead techno-commercial assessments for BESS and grid upgrades; negotiate MoUs and data-sharing agreements.
• Project delivery: Oversee projects from scoping to implementation, select and supervise delivery partners, manage grants end to end and move work from studies to pilots and scale.
• Digital and data: Lead work on GIS, AMI data, feeder analytics, digital twins, DERMS/ADMS and AI-driven grid analytics, with sound data protection and cybersecurity practice.
• Knowledge and coordination: Write policy briefs and case studies, share learning with global colleagues and keep this programme aligned with the wider India portfolio.

Location

Gurugram, India, with 20–30% travel within India to project sites, utility offices and government meetings.

Requirements, Qualifications & Skills

Technical Knowledge & Sector Expertise

• In-depth knowledge of India's power sector, including DISCOM reform, distribution grid modernisation, smart metering/AMI, SCADA, open access, RPOs, ISTS and RE procurement frameworks.
• Hands-on BESS experience: techno-commercial evaluation, tariff design, ancillary services such as peak shaving and arbitrage, and revenue-stacking models.
• Working knowledge of grid technologies such as ADMS, DERMS, GIS, digital twins and AI/ML-based grid analytics.
• Clear grasp of India's regulatory and political economy at state level (SERCs) and central level (CERC, MoP, CEA).
• Desirable: understanding of blended and catalytic finance, MDB engagement models and development partnership instruments.
• Desirable: familiarity with open access, corporate PPAs and India's C&I renewables market.
• Desirable: exposure to just transition, community engagement and equity issues in energy programmes.

Experience & Professional Profile

• 15+ years of relevant experience in India's energy or power sector, covering at least two of: DISCOM operations or reform, RE project development, grid modernisation, energy policy or development finance.
• Proven record of designing and delivering complex, multi-partner programmes from start to finish.
• Grant and programme management experience, including budgets, compliance, milestones and reporting.
• Experience selecting, onboarding and supervising grantees, consultants and delivery partners.
• Strong existing network across the Ministry of Power, state agencies, DISCOMs, MDBs and energy-sector funders.
• Desirable: experience inside a utility, DISCOM, IPP, grid operator or energy regulator.
• Desirable: background in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial organisation.

Qualifications & Attributes

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Renewable Energy, Energy Economics, Engineering, International Development, Public Policy or a related field.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Hindi; a strong writer of technical and policy documents.

Attributes

• Systems leadership: Looks beyond single projects, builds coalitions and drives sector-wide change.
• Communication: Equally effective with policymakers, utility engineers and philanthropic funders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Curious, anticipates opportunities and tackles root causes rather than symptoms.
• Collaboration: Listens well, adapts to local context and works across functions and cultures with humility.
• Execution: Meets deadlines and manages complexity; detail-oriented while keeping sight of strategic goals.
• Judgement: Weighs risk, takes initiative, prioritises under pressure and proposes clear ways forward.
• Inclusion: Champions diversity and equity, and brings under-represented voices into the energy transition.