Project Director / COO – DDU-GKY Skill Development Operations
About the Role
Celestix Industries is seeking an entrepreneurial, highly experienced and execution-focused Project Director / Chief Operating Officer (COO) to establish and independently manage our upcoming Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) skill development project from the ground up.
The Project Director / COO will have complete operational autonomy and end-to-end responsibility for the DDU-GKY project, including regulatory approvals, Project Application Form (PAF) preparation, Permanent Registration Number (PRN) processes, greenfield training centre setup near Bagodra, rural candidate mobilization, training centre operations, third-party assessments, formal placements, post-placement tracking and government tranche recovery.
We are specifically looking for a leader who has successfully launched and managed at least one DDU-GKY project or major training centre vertical, with hands-on knowledge of DDU-GKY Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Project Implementing Agency (PIA) requirements, compliance audits, placement targets and financial closure.
This is a complete skill development operations and project management leadership role, not simply a training administration position. The successful candidate must understand the entire project lifecycle, from government approvals and training centre setup to candidate placement, documentation and government funding recovery.
Key Responsibilities & Deliverables
1. Regulatory Approvals, PAF Submission & Government Liaisoning
- Lead the DDU-GKY project application and approval process with the Gujarat State Rural Livelihoods Mission (GSRLM) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
- Handle the end-to-end preparation, documentation and submission of the Project Application Form (PAF) for the DDU GKY project.
- Secure the Permanent Registration Number (PRN) and represent the organization during state-level project approval meetings.
The Project Director will be responsible for coordinating the required regulatory documentation, government communications and approval activities in accordance with applicable DDU-GKY and Project Implementing Agency (PIA) requirements.
2. Greenfield Training Centre Setup & DDU-GKY Compliance
- Identify, lease and establish the physical training facility near the Memer/Bagodra layout in compliance with applicable National Common Norms.
- Supervise the deployment of mandatory infrastructure, including theory classrooms, trade-specific practical labs, IT/computer labs, biometric attendance systems and 24/7 CCTV surveillance networks.
- Ensure full adherence to applicable DDU-GKY branding, safety and operational Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to successfully clear Centre Verification (CV) audits.
The role requires proven experience in training centre setup, training centre operations, DDU-GKY compliance and project audit preparation, including the practical infrastructure and documentation requirements needed to operationalize a new training centre.
3. Rural Candidate Mobilization & Skill Development Operations
- Build and deploy rural outreach teams for candidate mobilization and rural mobilization, recruiting eligible youth aged 15–35 from targeted villages and Gram Panchayats under applicable DDU-GKY requirements.
- Recruit, train and manage a high-performing training centre team, including Centre Managers, MIS Coordinators, SSC-certified Trainers and Quality Assurance staff.
- Oversee daily biometric attendance compliance, candidate data maintenance on government portals, and uniform and allowance distribution.
The Project Director / COO will oversee day-to-day skill development operations, workforce coordination, training centre management and candidate documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
4. Third-Party Assessment, Placement Operations & Government Tranche Recovery
- Coordinate with Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) for timely third-party assessment and certification of trained candidates.
- Develop corporate partnerships and employer tie-ups with companies in Ahmedabad, Sanand, Changodar and across Gujarat to achieve the project's minimum 70% formal placement target for trained candidates.
- Drive accurate collection and verification of post-placement tracking documentation, including appointment letters, three-month salary slips and bank statements, to support the release and government tranche recovery of Tranches 2, 3 and 4.
The role requires direct ownership of placement operations, employer coordination, post-placement documentation, project outcomes and government funding milestones.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Direct DDU-GKY Project Experience
- Minimum 5–8 years of experience in the skill development sector, including at least 3 years directly heading a DDU-GKY project or large-scale training centre cluster.
- Proven experience as a Project Director, Project Head, COO or equivalent senior operational leader in a DDU-GKY project.
Proven Project Execution
- Must have successfully established at least one DDU-GKY training centre from the ground up.
- Must have managed training batches through assessment, placement, post-placement tracking and final Tranche 3/4 closure.
- Practical experience with project approvals, training centre setup, candidate mobilization, placement operations and government tranche recovery is essential.
DDU-GKY SOP & Compliance Expertise
- Expert-level knowledge of the official DDU-GKY SOP, standard operating guidelines and National Common Norms.
- Strong understanding of PAF preparation, PRN requirements, Project Implementing Agency (PIA) processes, centre verification, compliance audits and project documentation.
- Experience ensuring operational compliance across training centres, attendance systems, assessments, placements and funding documentation.
Government & Industry Network
Pre-existing relationships with the following are highly preferred:
- Gujarat Skill Development Mission (GSDM)
- Gujarat State Rural Livelihoods Mission (GSRLM)
- Government skill development authorities
- Local industry hiring managers and employers
These relationships should support government liaisoning, project execution and placement partnerships.
Language Requirements
Professional fluency in Gujarati and Hindi/English is mandatory to effectively manage rural communities, government officials, training centre personnel and employer relationships.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for a leader who has personally managed the entire DDU-GKY project lifecycle, not someone whose experience is limited to classroom training or general skill development administration.
The ideal candidate understands how to:
- Prepare and manage DDU-GKY project applications and approval documentation.
- Establish a greenfield training centre that meets applicable verification and compliance requirements.
- Build and lead rural candidate mobilization teams.
- Recruit and manage training centre personnel.
- Coordinate third-party assessments and certifications.
- Develop reliable employer tie-ups and achieve placement targets.
- Maintain post-placement tracking records.
- Support timely government tranche recovery through accurate documentation and project closure.
- Independently handle operational problems and maintain accountability for project outcomes.
This position requires a combination of entrepreneurial leadership, government-process knowledge, hands-on skill development operations experience and financial accountability.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have previously built and operated a DDU-GKY training centre or project and should be prepared to provide a short summary of their earlier DDU-GKY projects, including project targets, centres established, candidate training and placement outcomes, and tranche closures.
We are specifically seeking candidates with proven experience in DDU-GKY project execution, government compliance, training centre operations, placement performance and government funding recovery.
