Lead, State Policy and Advocacy in Rochester

Location: Remote | Frequent travel across states

Type: Full-time

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

About Rocket Learning

Rocket Learning is a high growth ed-tech non-profit with the mission of catalyzing early childhood education and community engagement in India. We work with the central government and state governments and are currently impacting over 4 million children. Established by a passionate founding group (IIT, IIM, HBS, Rochester, MBB, start‑up alumni) and backed by reputed funders, we are a diverse team of passionate, energetic and optimistic folks with a shared ambition of transforming India’s education system.

About the Role

This is a senior, full‑time leadership role reporting directly to the Co‑Founders. The position sits at the intersection of Early Childhood Development (ECD), public policy, and ecosystem strengthening. Rocket Learning has been supporting the Central Government and multiple State Governments on key initiatives within the Anganwadi system, and we are now expanding this work. The Lead, State Policy and Advocacy will be responsible for driving and managing these strategic partnerships across priority states. The candidate will work closely with the Co‑Founders to anchor, deepen, and scale collaborations with State Governments, particularly the departments of Women and Child Development and Education. They will also oversee state‑level policy teams, ensuring high‑quality support to government counterparts. In addition, the role involves responding to government requests, coordinating across internal functional teams, and mobilising institutional resources to enable seamless execution of state partnerships and policy initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior government stakeholders in states to strengthen the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) ecosystem.
• Lead and manage State Program Management Units (PMUs) to design, operationalize, and monitor ECD‑related policies and initiatives in partnership with state departments.
• Support state operations teams by engaging with key stakeholders to advance Rocket Learning’s initiatives, including digital interventions, events, training programmes, and curriculum development.
• Develop high‑quality knowledge products such as briefs, strategy notes, policy documents, file notings, proposals, and research reports to inform and support government decision‑making on ECCE.
• Provide end‑to‑end support to state government partners, including planning, coordination, drafting, research, report writing, speech writing, and M&E activities aligned with strengthening ECCE, particularly within the Anganwadi system.
• Collaborate closely with Rocket Learning’s National Initiatives & Policy team, as well as functional and operational teams, to provide policy inputs, conduct comparative state analyses, document best practices, coordinate field visits, and support state‑level priorities.
• Demonstrate ownership, initiative, and agility, consistently delivering high‑quality outputs in dynamic and unpredictable environments.

Key Outcomes

• Strengthened ECD ecosystem resulting in measurable improvements in developmental and learning outcomes for children aged 0‑6 years.
• High‑impact state‑level policies and initiatives that drive meaningful structural reform and sustained action for Early Childhood Development.
• Robust, trust‑based partnerships with senior government officials and key civil society stakeholders, enabling long‑term collaboration and system‑wide change.

Required Qualifications

• 8‑10 years of total work experience, including 3‑5 years in a senior role within government or in leading government‑facing partnerships for private or non‑profit organizations.
• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as public policy, economics, management, or related fields.
• Exceptional ability to think, synthesize, and communicate with clarity while navigating complex systems and multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Strong writing and analytical skills, including research, structuring, and drafting, with the ability to deliver high‑quality outputs quickly.
• Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams, solve problems independently, and operate effectively in fast‑paced, high‑pressure settings.
• Deep alignment with Rocket Learning’s values and mission, including a commitment to equity, systems change, and collaborative working.
• Willingness to travel extensively (7‑10 days per month) to state capitals, including at short notice, to support urgent government requests and engagements.

Preferred Criteria

• Experience in early childhood care and education.
• Mission driven, enthusiastic and optimistic - committed to transformation.
• Enthusiasm and skills to deal with the opportunities and challenges of supporting governments.
• Experience working in State governments, internships included.