Category Manager - Foundation

About the Role

The Category Manager for Foundation oversees the academic vision, product strategy, execution standards, and commercial performance of the Foundation portfolio aimed at students in Classes 8 to 10. The primary goal is to craft an academically rigorous and engaging learning path that enhances school achievement while laying a strong groundwork for Olympiads and future competitive exams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the three-year vision and annual plans for the Foundation category, considering target student segments, program structure, modes of delivery, pricing strategies, enrollment targets, and expansion plans.
• Lead curriculum development across Mathematics, Science, and Mental Ability to ensure alignment with school board standards and a progressive learning track towards Olympiads and competitive exams.
• Set academic benchmarks for lesson planning, study materials, question banks, practice sheets, assessments, doubt-resolution systems, and revision programs, establishing rigorous review and version control processes.
• Define learning objectives by class and subject, utilizing diagnostic and summative assessments to identify knowledge gaps and implement timely academic interventions.
• Build and lead a competent team of academic leads and faculty members by determining selection criteria, onboarding processes, certification paths, classroom observation frameworks, and continuous professional development.
• Guarantee consistent and high-quality delivery across centers and online/hybrid formats through meticulous academic calendars, standard operating procedures, audits, and swift resolution of issues.
• Develop data dashboards covering attendance, student engagement, syllabus coverage, assessment outcomes, faculty effectiveness, retention rates, and stakeholder feedback, converting insights into actionable steps.
• Collaborate with marketing, admissions, and center teams to support positioning, seminars, scholarship tests, parent interactions, and client conversion efforts while safeguarding academic standards.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts with operations, technology, content creation, finance, and HR to ensure timely, quality program delivery within budget.
• Monitor curriculum developments, learner requirements, and market trends to drive governance and innovation, piloting new tools and learning formats responsibly with an emphasis on child safety and academic integrity.

Performance Metrics

• Improvements in student learning linked to specific academic benchmarks.
• Achievement of enrollment, revenue, retention, and student progression goals in Classes 8 to 10.
• High attendance rates, active engagement, course completion, and satisfaction ratings from students and parents.
• Timely completion of syllabus content and assessments.
• High standards in faculty quality, output, retention, and completion of training/certification.
• Positive contribution margins and efficient delivery of programs.
• Consistency in learning outcomes and experience across all centers and delivery modes.

Leadership Expectations

• Maintain a student-centered approach with unwavering academic standards.
• Combine strategic insight with disciplined execution capability.
• Ability to motivate, mentor, and hold accountable senior academic personnel.
• Communicate clearly with all stakeholders including students, parents, faculty, and business teams.
• Demonstrate ownership, adapt to ambiguity, and prioritize measurable outcomes.
• Exemplify integrity, empathy, and dedication to fostering a safe educational environment.

Progress Milestones

• Within first 90 days: Conduct a thorough category diagnostic, finalize the academic roadmap, establish effective operating routines, and identify key areas for improvement.
• By 6 months: Enhance curriculum and assessment quality, implement faculty development programs, and activate student performance tracking dashboards.
• Within 12 months: Achieve notable improvements in student outcomes, retention, faculty consistency, and category expansion while developing a scalable model for Foundation education.