Strategy & Programme Lead

Strategy & Programme Lead | India

Location: India, with regular travel, including to the Himalayan region
Level: SeniorManager / Director, depending on experience
Contract: Initially contractor set up and then, depending on experience and programme needs we can look at staff or fixed term arrangement.

The opportunity

Systemiq is seeking an experienced Strategy & Programme Lead to help deliver and grow our portfolio of work in India, initially taking a leading role in our Himalayan systems change programme.

Building on our report, Prosperous and Resilient Himalayas, this programme aims to translate an ambitious agenda for sustainable economic growth and resilience into practical initiatives, partnerships and financing solutions. Work may span water security, climate and disaster resilience, sustainable tourism, mountain products, enterprise development and policy.

Alongside leading this programme, you will contribute to other strategic advisory and systems change projects across India, working with colleagues across Systemiq's global platforms. You will also help identify and develop new opportunities, build relationships with potential clients and partners, and contribute to expanding our presence and impact in India.

We are looking for someone who combines strong management consulting capabilities, practical programme leadership and commercial judgement with a deep understanding of India's economic, policy and institutional landscape.

At Systemiq, our leaders remain closely involved in the substance and delivery of our work. This role offers significant autonomy and requires someone equally comfortable shaping strategy, leading complex engagements and turning new opportunities into funded work.

Key responsibilities

• Lead strategic programmes and engagements. Take ownership of the Himalayan programme and contribute to other advisory projects across India, shaping priorities, analytical approaches, workplans and delivery.
• Drive business development and growth. Identify and develop new project opportunities across sectors, build relationships with potential clients and funders, lead proposals and help convert opportunities into funded engagements.
• Provide strategic and analytical leadership. Guide complex research, economic and financial analysis, business cases and feasibility assessments, translating findings into clear recommendations and practical solutions.
• Build senior stakeholder relationships. Develop trusted relationships with government, businesses, financial institutions, funders and other partners, navigating complex institutional and commercial environments.
• Translate strategy into implementation. Turn policy, sustainability and financing challenges into actionable programmes, partnerships and investment propositions that can deliver measurable impact.
• Lead and develop teams. Provide direction, oversight and mentorship to multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring high-quality delivery, sound project economics and effective collaboration.
• Collaborate across platforms and geographies. Work with Systemiq colleagues internationally, bringing together expertise across nature, energy, finance, materials and economic development to address interconnected challenges.

The experience and capabilities we are looking for

Consulting and strategic leadership

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience in management consulting, strategy advisory or an equivalent consulting-led environment, with seniority reflecting experience.
• A strong generalist consulting toolkit, including structured problem-solving, quantitative and qualitative analysis, strategic synthesis and executive-level communication.
• Proven experience independently leading complex consulting engagements or strategic programmes, managing teams and delivering high-quality recommendations.
• Strong commercial judgement, with experience identifying opportunities, developing proposals, winning work or building client relationships.
• The ability to work across different sectors and subject areas, quickly developing an understanding of unfamiliar challenges and translating analysis into practical solutions.

Relevant sector and regional experience

• Significant professional experience in India, with a strong understanding of its economic, policy, institutional and business environment.
• Experience engaging senior stakeholders across government, business, finance, development institutions or philanthropy.
• Relevant experience in sustainable development, climate resilience, natural resources, economic development, sustainable finance or related sectors.
• Experience in the Himalayan region, mountain economies, rural livelihoods, sustainable tourism or nature-based economic development would be an advantage.
• Sound economic and financial literacy, including experience developing business cases, investment propositions or financing strategies.

Leadership and personal attributes

• An entrepreneurial, commercially minded leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• Confident operating independently, managing ambiguity and taking ownership of complex engagements.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the credibility to engage senior stakeholders.
• Adaptable and intellectually curious, with the ability to move between different projects, sectors and challenges.
• Able to think across policy, markets, finance and environmental systems, recognising how they interact and identifying opportunities for wider systems change.
• A collaborative leader committed to Systemiq's mission and to advancing sustainable, inclusive economic development.

Languages and travel

• Fluent English is essential. Hindi and/or another relevant Indian language would be an advantage.
• Willingness to travel regularly across India, including field visits in the Himalayan region, is essential.

What we offer

• Meaningful leadership: Take a leading role in a high-impact Himalayan initiative while contributing to Systemiq's wider portfolio in India.
• Entrepreneurial opportunity: Help shape new projects, partnerships and opportunities across an evolving regional portfolio.
• Diverse project experience: Work across strategy, policy, finance, sustainability and implementation, with opportunities to influence work beyond a single sector.
• Local focus, global collaboration: Build relationships in India while working with international colleagues and accessing Systemiq's global expertise.
• Autonomy and influence: Take ownership of major engagements and contribute directly to the growth and impact of our work.
• Flexible engagement arrangements: We are open to considering both fixed-term employment and consultancy arrangements, depending on experience and programme needs.

Reward and Recognition The remuneration and benefits package will reflect the successful candidate's experience and expertise.