Director, India Operations & Business Development

Description

Are you excited by the opportunity to build and lead Barona's India operations from the ground up?

At Barona, we are embarking on an ambitious growth journey and looking for a visionary yet hands-on leader to help shape our future in one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

We are now seeking a Director, India Operations & Business Development to lead the establishment, development, and growth of our operations in India.

This is not a role where you'll step into an existing organisation or manage mature operations. Instead, you will have a rare opportunity to build a new business platform from the ground up, create long-term growth opportunities, and play a key role in shaping Barona's future international success.

Working closely with Barona's leadership team, strategic partners, and local stakeholders, you will be responsible for launching and developing our India operations. Over time, these may include vocational training services, staffing and recruitment solutions, international talent mobility, and specialist business services tailored to our clients' needs.

This is a permanent position based in Finland and includes regular travel to India.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead the establishment, development, and growth of Barona's operations in India.
• Identify, evaluate, and commercialise new business opportunities.
• Drive business development initiatives and build sustainable growth platforms for the future.
• Support the launch and development of vocational training and workforce development services.
• Build staffing, recruitment, and international talent mobility solutions together with local partners.
• Develop and manage strategic client, partner, and stakeholder relationships.
• Build future teams and recruit key personnel to support business growth.
• Coordinate operations and collaboration between Finland and India.
• Ensure successful execution of strategic objectives and long-term growth plans.

To succeed in this role, you have

• Proven experience in international business development, market expansion, or leadership of international operations.
• A successful track record in building, scaling, or significantly developing businesses, services, or new market initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to identify and capture growth opportunities.
• Experience working successfully in multicultural and international environments.
• The willingness and flexibility to travel regularly to India.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Finnish language skills are considered an advantage but are not required.

Experience related to the Indian market, managing operations in India, or working extensively with Indian partners and stakeholders is highly valued. However, equally important is your ability to bridge cultures, build trust, and successfully operate between different business environments.

What we offer

• A unique opportunity to build an entirely new international business platform from the ground up.
• A highly visible and influential role at the heart of Barona's international growth strategy.
• The opportunity to shape future business models, operations, and organizational structures.
• An international working environment with extensive networking opportunities.
• A senior leadership position that combines strategic influence with hands-on business building.
• The chance to leave a lasting mark on a venture with significant growth potential.
• Permanent employment and a competitive compensation package.

Interested?

If you are motivated by the opportunity to build something new, create sustainable growth, and lead international operations in a high-potential market, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible, as we will review applications throughout the recruitment process.

Join us in building Barona's next international success story.

For further information about the position, please contact Kristiina Vormala at Barona, tel. +358 40 837 4019. She is best available on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM (EET). Please submit your application through the application link provided. Due to data privacy regulations, we are unable to accept applications via email or WhatsApp.