Project Manager/Project Associate

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Program Manager / Program Management Associate to support national-level innovation and research programs. This role sits at the intersection of science, technology, and program execution, offering a unique opportunity to work closely with funding agencies, researchers, startups, and ecosystem stakeholders.

You will play a critical role in enabling high-impact programs across sectors such as healthcare, sustainability, agriculture, animal health, and emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and IoT. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys structured problem-solving, working with data, and contributing to meaningful innovation outcomes.

Location: Pune / Delhi
Job Type: Full-time (Regular / Contract)
Experience: 0–2 years (exceptional candidates up to 5 years may be considered)
Function: Program Management Unit

Job Description

The selected candidate will support program lifecycle management across multiple initiatives. Key responsibilities include:

• Program Design & Call Development
  • Support the design and structuring of funding calls and program frameworks
  • Assist in developing evaluation criteria and program guidelines
• Call Management & Execution
  • Drive outreach and promotion of funding opportunities
  • Support applicants through mentoring and query resolution
  • Assist in evaluation processes and decision support
• Portfolio & Grant Management
  • Track progress of funded projects and ensure milestone adherence
  • Support portfolio analysis and performance tracking
• Grantee & Stakeholder Support
  • Assist grantees with IP, technology transfer, and regulatory pathways
  • Coordinate with funding agencies and ecosystem partners
• Governance & Reporting
  • Prepare reports, dashboards, and documentation for program reviews
  • Support program governance and compliance processes
• Knowledge & Impact Management
  • Contribute to knowledge management systems
  • Support impact assessment, storytelling, and communication

Candidate Profile

• Educational Background
  • Strong academic training in engineering, sciences, or allied disciplines
  • Preferred backgrounds: biomedical engineering, bioengineering, agricultural biotechnology, chemical/materials engineering, mechatronics, medicine, or related fields
• Core Skills & Competencies
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical ability
  • Comfort working with data, analytics, and reports
  • High attention to detail and structured documentation skills
  • Effective communication skills (spoken and written English)
  • Ability to work collaboratively in teams
• Personal Attributes
• • Service-oriented, proactive, and resourceful
  • Curious and eager to learn
  • Adaptable to dynamic, startup/scale-up environments
  • Strong ownership mindset

Growth Opportunity

This role offers significant exposure to research and innovation management as well as exposure to innovation/ entrepreneurial ecosystems. Depending upon their interest, candidates can grow into different managerial roles in innovation ecosystem builder organisations (like incubators, funding agencies, tech transfer offices, cluster organisations, academic research management offices etc) besides innovation management roles in industry and case manager roles in investment organisations.

General requirements and expectations from Venture Center employees:

• Venture Center is a non‐profit organization with aim to benefit society by promoting entrepreneurs and start‐ups. Thus, Venture Center seeks employees and consultants with a strong interest and passion in seeing technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and start‐ups succeed, and a strong "service" ethos.
• A strong feature of Venture Center jobs is the rich learning environment and opportunity provided to employees to experiment, take initiative and be creative. The work of most employees has visible impact which can be satisfying. All employees benefit from access to high quality facilities and work environments. Compensation packages can be flexible but are often conservative due to Venture Center’s non‐profit status.
• General requirements include: a) strong ethical standards and work ethics, b) comfort with computers, computer applications and internet, c) strong communication skills – spoken and written.
• Venture Center’s working hours are 9.30 AM – 5.30 PM (Monday to Saturday) and are designed to keep operations of Venture Center convenient for the start‐ups, entrepreneurs, inventors and others that the organization serves. Managers in certain functions are provided the opportunity to avail of flexible hours. All jobs are located at Pune, Maharashtra, India
• Our Company is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or parental status.