Analyst / Senior Analyst

About the Organization

Propel works with colleges and universities to build long-term strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening academics, admissions, student outcomes, technology, and operations so that institutions can grow sustainably.

Role Summary

This role sits within Propel's independent due diligence team, which evaluates whether an institution is a suitable partner. The Analyst / Senior Analyst will conduct detailed on-site assessments across colleges and universities in India, verify institutional claims through fieldwork, assess financial and operational exposure, build analytical models, and submit evidence-based recommendations. The position is intentionally separate from business development and partnership discussions, so the assessment must remain objective and grounded in facts.

The job requires extensive travel, typically 60–70%, including frequent visits to Tier II and Tier III cities. Strong analytical judgment, financial understanding, and stakeholder-handling ability are essential.

Key Work Areas

• Carry out end-to-end diligence across preliminary screening, financial review, regulatory and governance checks, strategic fit evaluation, and commercial assessment.
• Visit campuses and validate real-world details such as infrastructure, faculty strength, student enrolment, academic delivery, student support, technology readiness, and operating capability.
• Compare field observations with management statements and supporting records to identify mismatches or gaps.
• Build financial assessments covering revenue quality, fee collection efficiency, cost and EBITDA normalization, working capital, cash flow, first-year operating viability, and earnings quality.
• Review institutional risk factors such as promoter background, land title, AICTE / affiliation / NAAC compliance, debt, litigation, statutory compliance, ERP readiness, organizational culture, governance, and partnership readiness.
• Spot major red flags including disputed or mortgaged land, criminal cases, overdue borrowings, change-of-control restrictions, salary arrears, weak fee realization, related-party concentration, qualified audit reports, enrollment issues, regulatory notices, poor cooperation, fake placement litigation, and trustee disputes.
• Prepare structured diligence reports with an executive summary, risk register, scorecard, financial analysis, evidence trail, and a clear Go / Conditional Go / No-Go view.
• Present findings and rationale to senior leaders with supporting evidence.
• Keep the process confidential, unbiased, and separate from commercial negotiations while following KYC, AML, conflict-of-interest, and anti-bribery requirements.
• For approved partnerships, help prepare transition documentation for handover to integration teams.

Experience and Background

Applicants should have 3–6 years of experience for the Analyst level or 5–8 years for the Senior Analyst level. Relevant backgrounds include management consulting, financial due diligence, transaction advisory, investment banking, private equity, venture capital, corporate strategy, deal advisory, or portfolio operations.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong financial modelling and analysis
• EBITDA normalization and cash flow evaluation
• Structured problem-solving
• Risk assessment and sound judgment
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Executive presentation skills
• Managing multiple high-priority assignments
• Stakeholder coordination
• Close attention to detail
• Independent execution under tight deadlines

Education

Preferred educational backgrounds include CA, MBA, CFA, or similar finance-oriented or analytical qualifications.

Preferred Exposure

• Working knowledge of Indian higher education regulations, including AICTE, NAAC, UGC, and state university systems
• Experience in due diligence within education, healthcare, infrastructure, or services sectors
• Field-based assessment experience
• Exposure to presenting recommendations to senior leadership

What Success Looks Like

• Delivering multiple diligence assignments within agreed timelines in the first 6–12 months
• Producing board-ready reports and recommendations
• Creating robust financial models and institutional scorecards
• Identifying critical risks before any partnership is finalized
• Maintaining strong standards for compliance, independence, and quality

Competencies

• Analytical thinking that turns complexity into clear insights
• Intellectual honesty in making difficult evidence-based calls
• Ownership and accountability for each assessment
• Flexibility to work across varied institutional settings in India
• High execution standards under pressure
• Professional conduct, confidentiality, and ethics

Why This Role Matters

In this role, you will directly influence strategic partnership decisions that affect the future of higher education in India. If you enjoy field-intensive analytical work and solving complex business problems with measurable impact, this position offers the chance to do exactly that.

Additional Information

Department: Strategy – Team

Location: Pan India, with extensive travel required

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reporting To: Team Lead

Travel Requirement: Approximately 60–70% travel, often to Tier II and Tier III cities

Independent Function: The role operates independently from business development and partnership negotiations