Senior Manager – Operations (Urban Biodiversity)

Role Overview

Farmers for Forests (F4F) is recruiting a locally based Senior Manager – Operations (Urban Biodiversity) for Hyderabad. The manager will lead end-to-end planning, implementation, monitoring and closure of Urban Biodiversity Hubs and restoration projects in their assigned region. The role requires independent operational leadership, government liaisoning, project budgeting, quality control and close coordination with local communities, technical experts, vendors, partners and donors.

Roles & Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Lead regional biodiversity and restoration projects from planning and site readiness through execution, monitoring and closure.
  
• Prepare realistic execution schedules, resource plans and project budgets; conduct site assessments of access, land conditions, water and infrastructure.
  
• Ensure timely implementation of plantation, restoration, landscaping and associated civil works; troubleshoot site challenges proactively.
  

Government Liaisoning, Permissions & Clearances

• Independently lead all government liaisoning with municipal corporations, Forest Departments, Gram Panchayats, district administrations, development authorities and other relevant agencies.
  
• Prepare, submit and follow up on applications for permissions, NOCs, site access, land handover and statutory clearances required for each project.
  
• Coordinate with competent authorities on lawful encroachment removal, debris clearance, site obstructions, water and electricity arrangements, and government-supported infrastructure.
  
• Maintain documented records and trackers for approvals, departmental commitments, deadlines and escalation; ensure all liaisoning follows applicable law and F4F policies.
  

Budgeting, Procurement & Vendor Management

• Develop and optimize detailed budgets for saplings, soil, manure, irrigation, solar pumps, civil works, landscaping and labour.
  
• Identify and negotiate with local vendors and contractors; compare quotations and verify material deliveries, work completion and invoices.
  
• Track budget versus actual expenditure and flag variances for timely decisions.
  

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Recruit, guide and supervise local teams, contractors and site supervisors; ensure safe, high-quality field execution.
  
• Coordinate with ecologists, communities, donors, CSR partners and local authorities; represent F4F at relevant site meetings.
  
• Escalate critical risks promptly while resolving routine operational issues independently.
  

Monitoring, Reporting & Quality

• Maintain Excel/Google Sheets costing tools, dashboards, trackers and project documentation.
  
• Provide regular progress, financial and risk updates; coordinate ecological monitoring with technical teams.
  
• Maintain organized records of approvals, site photographs, milestones and handover documents; uphold F4F quality standards.
  

Key Performance Expectations

Independent regional project delivery; timely, compliant permissions and government coordination; effective vendor and cost management; reliable project reporting; and consistent ecological and execution quality.

Core Requirements

• Relevant background in urban ecology, restoration, landscaping, forestry, civil/site operations or project management.
  
• Demonstrated experience managing on-ground projects, teams, contractors, budgets and multiple stakeholders.
  
• Practical experience with government liaisoning, permission processes and official correspondence strongly preferred.
  
• Strong negotiation, analytical, Excel/Google Sheets, reporting and problem-solving skills.
  
• Effective local stakeholder communication; willingness to travel regularly within the assigned region.
  
• Integrity, initiative, attention to detail and alignment with F4F’s mission.
  

Location-Specific Language & Local Knowledge — Hyderabad

• Language expectations: Telugu required; working Hindi and English preferred.
  
• Local knowledge advantage: Telangana government offices, municipal bodies and local administrative procedures.