Program Manager

**The Program Manager – Student Development owns and delivers an assigned portfolio of Student Development programs from planning through execution, review and continuous improvement, working closely with the Head - Student Development to translate the function’s vision into well-designed, well-run experiences across campuses.

The role takes end-to-end ownership of assigned programs, coordinating campus teams, school leaders, vendors and partners to ensure delivery is timely, within budget, safe, consistent and focused on clear student outcomes

This is a hands-on program management role requiring strong program planning, milestone and data tracking, vendor and stakeholder management, problem-solving, and the ability to use data, technology and AI tools to support effective program delivery and continuous improvement.

Key Areas of Ownership

Depending on the annual Student Development portfolio, the Program Manager may own programs across the following areas:

• Field Trips, Camps & Outbound Experiential Learning
• Student Leadership Programs
• Service Learning & Community Engagement
• Work Exposure & Internships
• Student Exchange Programs
• Student Well-being Initiatives
• Competitions, Clubs & Other Student Development Initiatives

Key Responsibilities1. Program Planning & Ownership

• Own the end-to-end planning of assigned Student Development programs, translating objectives into clear implementation plans, timelines, milestones and deliverables.
• Develop annual and term-wise program plans and calendars in partnership with the Head - Student Development and campus teams, ensuring sufficient lead time for all key activities and dependencies.
• Create clear program briefs covering objectives, target grades, student experience, logistics, resources, staffing, budget, safety and success measures, aligned to Ekya’s Beyond Academics framework.
• Identify and manage dependencies, risks and resource requirements early, and develop practical SOPs, checklists and playbooks for repeat programs to ensure consistent execution.
• Support the design and piloting of new programs and initiatives, working with the Head - Student Development to translate ideas into structured, executable program plans.
• Ensure that safety and safeguarding requirements are incorporated into program planning.

2. Program Execution

• Own end-to-end program execution across campuses, ensuring clear plans, timelines, responsibilities, communication rhythms and readiness milestones are in place.
• Coordinate campus teams and stakeholders, including CCA coordinators, teachers, parents and school leaders, and ensure all required briefings, approvals and preparations are completed.
• Manage program logistics and resources, including student lists, permissions and consent, staffing, transport, accommodation, meals, venues and other operational requirements.
• Lead on-ground execution and problem-solving for major trips, outbounds, camps and events, responding to operational challenges and making timely decisions while escalating significant risks or incidents to the Head – Student Development.
• Drive program closure and review, ensuring financial closure, documentation, feedback and reporting are completed and insights are captured for future program improvement.

3. Campus & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate closely with CCA (co curricular activities) Coordinators, teachers, school leaders and campus teams to ensure smooth program delivery.
• Establish clear roles, timelines, communication rhythms and escalation mechanisms across stakeholders.
• Work with internal teams including Ekya Learning Center, Finance, Operations, Growth & Marketing to support program delivery and communication.
• Partner with Marketing and Creative teams to capture and develop content from programs, showcasing student experiences and impact.

4. Vendor & Partner Management

• Identify, evaluate and onboard suitable vendors and external partners for assigned programs.
• Manage vendor relationships, deliverables, timelines, service quality and issue resolution.
• Coordinate quotations, contracts, approvals and documentation with relevant internal teams.
• Build and maintain a strong network of reliable vendors and partners to support consistent, high-quality and scalable program delivery.

5. Budget & Resource Management

• Develop program-level budgets in consultation with the Head-Student Development and support pricing and revenue planning for relevant ancillary programs such as camps and trips.
• Track program costs, commitments and utilisation, maintain accurate financial documentation, and identify opportunities for cost efficiency and resource optimisation.
• Coordinate with Finance on approvals, payments and financial closure.
• Ensure program resources are planned and managed effectively without compromising student experience, program quality or safety.

6. Student Experience, Program Quality & Review

• Ensure programs deliver clear student learning, developmental and experiential outcomes, aligned to Ekya’s Beyond Academics framework, while maintaining high program quality.
• Collect and analyse student, parent, teacher and stakeholder feedback and program data to assess student experience, effectiveness and outcomes.
• Create program reports, capture key learnings and recommendations, and use insights to continuously improve future program cycles.

7. Support for the Wider Student Development Portfolio

• Contribute to wider Student Development priorities and step in to support cross-functional initiatives during peak program periods or as required.

Who We Are Looking ForExperience & Qualifications

• 3-4 years of experience in program management, ideally in education, experiential learning, youth programs at universities, or related areas.
• Bachelor's degree in education, management, communication, social sciences or a related discipline.
• Experience managing programs involving children or young people is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders and managing programs from planning through execution.
• Experience managing vendors, budgets and external partners.
• Certifications in first aid, outdoor education, child safeguarding or related areas are an advantage.

Capabilities & Dispositions

• Program management and execution: Strong planning, organisation, prioritisation and follow-through across multiple programs.
• Stakeholder management and communication: Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Problem-solving and judgement: Calm, practical and solution-oriented, with the ability to make decisions and escalate appropriately.
• Detail-oriented and commercially aware: Strong documentation, reporting and financial discipline, with attention to detail.
• Technology-enabled: Comfortable using digital and AI tools to improve planning, analysis, communication and program delivery.
• Student-centred and adaptable: Strong belief in student agency and experiential learning, with flexibility to work across campuses and travel for programs.**