Senior Placement Manager

About the Program

The Center of Excellence (CoE), operating under the IndiaAI Mission and Skill India framework, is committed to developing a workforce skilled in Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, and the Digital Economy. The initiative trains candidates in areas including Java, Python, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Prompt Engineering, Data Annotation, Digital Marketing, UI/UX Design, Customer Support, and GCC roles, ensuring strong alignment with industry demands and promoting successful employment outcomes.

Role Overview

The Placement Manager / Senior Manager role involves strategizing and driving placement initiatives, cultivating robust employer collaborations, and guaranteeing excellent job placements for CoE-trained candidates. This position demands strong industry relationships, effective execution skills, and experience managing skill development or large-scale recruitment efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive placement approach that aligns with program goals.
• Manage the complete placement cycle, including employer engagement, job-role mapping, candidate evaluation, interview management, job offer finalization, and onboarding assistance.
• Match graduates to industry needs spanning AI, Data Science, Digital Economy, GCC, and creative sectors.
• Meet and exceed targets for placement rates, retention, and salary standards.
• Create organized placement pipelines tailored to each training cohort.
• Plan and conduct employer roundtables, job fairs, campus recruitment drives, and virtual hiring sessions.
• Support live projects, internships, apprenticeships, and immersive industry exposure opportunities.
• Identify and map new job roles relevant to AI, ML, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Customer Experience, UI/UX, and the creative economy.
• Collect and analyze employer feedback to refine the training curriculum continuously.
• Serve as a liaison among industry partners, training teams, and operational units to ensure supply-demand alignment.
• Collaborate closely with CoE Center Heads to synchronize training output with market needs.
• Represent the organization at industry events, forums, and employer meetings.
• Monitor key performance indicators like placement success rates, employee retention, salary benchmarks, employer satisfaction, and diversity metrics.
• Maintain detailed MIS reports, dashboards, and documentation adhering to IndiaAI and Skill India standards.
• Prepare reports and presentations for leadership, government agencies, and CSR stakeholders.
• Ensure proper documentation for audits and impact evaluations.
• Lead and develop the placement team including coordinators and employer relationship officers.
• Standardize placement workflows and procedures by establishing SOPs.
• Conduct training sessions covering interview preparation, soft skills enhancement, resume development, and workplace readiness.
• Promote a culture grounded in responsibility, innovation, and high performance.

Qualifications & Experience

• Graduate or postgraduate degree in Engineering, Management, Computer Science, Education, Data Science, or related disciplines.
• Seven to ten years' relevant experience in placement management, industry partnerships, or workforce development.
• Demonstrated success meeting placement objectives within skill development, higher education, or technology-driven programs.
• Preferred experience with hiring in AI, Data Science, Digital Economy, or advanced technology domains.
• Exposure to government-funded or CSR initiatives such as IndiaAI, Skill India, or NSDC is advantageous.

Skills

• Expertise in forming and managing employer partnerships.
• Operational knowledge of placement processes and workforce planning.
• Understanding of job roles in AI, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, and emerging technologies.
• Strong capability in data-driven reporting and management information systems.
• Proficient negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Leadership skills including team guidance and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication along with presentation proficiency.