Managing Director - Public Policy

About The Company 

Primus Partners is a management consultancy that guides clients through complex opportunities in India. Our strength lies in our diverse team of professionals with over 200 person-years of experience. As a trusted advisory partner, we are dedicated to nation-building in both public and private sectors. We embody "Experience in Action." 

Role Overview

As the Managing Director – Public Policy, you will lead the firm’s public policy and government advisory practice in India. This is a high-impact leadership role for a purpose-driven, strategic thinker with deep policy expertise and a passion for driving systemic change across sectors like health, education, climate, urban development, skilling, and digital governance. 

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Set the vision and roadmap for the public policy vertical; align with national development priorities and global best practices.
• Policy Advisory: Lead large-scale government consulting engagements—supporting policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, and reform.
• Business Growth: Own the P&L for the public policy practice; build strong relationships with ministries, donor agencies (e.g., World Bank, BMGF), and CSR stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior bureaucrats (IAS, IFS), government think tanks (NITI Aayog, etc.), and donor/funding organizations.
• Thought Leadership: Represent the firm in high-level policy forums, author whitepapers/op-eds, and convene strategic dialogues with decision-makers.
• Team Leadership: Build and mentor a high-performance team of consultants, economists, and policy experts across thematic areas and geographies.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related field from a premier Indian or global institution (e.g., JNU, ISB, IIMs, LSE, HKS).
• 15+ years of relevant experience in public policy, government consulting, development sector leadership, or a senior bureaucratic/political advisory role.
• Proven success in managing complex government projects across sectors and states in India.
• Deep understanding of India’s federal governance structure, policymaking processes, and regulatory landscape.
• Exceptional network within ministries, multilateral institutions (e.g., UNDP, WHO), and the broader policy ecosystem.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience with PPP models, policy labs, or large-scale implementation programs in India.
• Prior experience working with or within Indian government bodies, think tanks, or civil society organizations.
• Fluency in Hindi and at least one regional language is a plus.