QS Quacquarelli Symonds
Website:
qs.com
Job details:
Role: Client Partnership Director (India)
Location: Bangalore, India
Job type: Full time, permanent
Working arrangement: Hybrid
Why QS?
At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst thriving personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.
It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.
Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.
At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.
We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.
The role:
As Client Partnership Director (India), the successful candidate will lead QS’s commercial strategy across India, driving sustainable revenue growth across the full portfolio of QS services.
This role has been created to provide dedicated commercial leadership for one of QS’s most strategic markets, ensuring strong sales execution and client engagement. The role will own the India revenue target, lead the in-country sales team, and drive operational excellence across pipeline management, CRM adoption, and commercial performance.
Working closely with the Chair for India and senior stakeholders, the role will translate sales strategy into measurable outcomes, build long-term relationships with universities and higher education bodies, and represent QS’s portfolio – including ratings, data subscriptions, sponsorships, digital services, and student recruitment events – in a coordinated and credible way.
The role will also help strengthen sales discipline across the integrated team through unified CRM adoption, transparent pipeline reporting, and structured commercial processes aligned with QS standards.
Role responsibilities:
• Develop and deliver a 5-year QS growth plan for India, grounded in market insight, segmentation analysis, and long-term portfolio priorities, providing a clear roadmap for revenue growth, market share expansion, and product penetration across the full QS portfolio.
• Own and deliver the India revenue target, with accountability for pipeline management, forecasting, new business, and renewals.
• Lead and develop the India sales team, ensuring strong execution across the integrated QS portfolio.
• Drive go-to-market initiatives in partnership with commercial leadership and Business Unit teams.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with universities, higher education bodies, Vice-Chancellors, and senior institutional leaders.
• Lead engagement with government bodies, regulators, and public-sector institutions, positioning QS as a trusted higher education partner.
• Identify and lead responses to institutional and government tenders, RFPs, and large-scale opportunities.
• Represent QS at conferences, industry forums, and higher education events across India.
• Ensure robust pipeline management, CRM adoption, and transparent reporting aligned with QS commercial standards.
• Partner with the Chair for India on strategic accounts and high-level engagements.
• Provide market intelligence and competitive insights to support product positioning and growth opportunities in India.
• Support additional responsibilities aligned with the scope and purpose of the role.
• Any other duties that fall within the purpose and scope of the role.
Key skills and experience:
• Extensive experience in B2B or enterprise sales leadership, managing high-performing teams and multi-million revenue targets.
• Strong track record of driving revenue growth and market expansion in consultative, long-cycle sales environments.
• Experience in higher education, EdTech, education services, or ratings/accreditation is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders including Vice-Chancellors, Boards, C-suite leaders, and government bodies.
• Strong network and credibility with Indian higher education regulators and public-sector institutions (UGC, AICTE, NAAC, NBA, etc.).
• Knowledge of the Indian higher education landscape, including NEP 2020 and internationalisation initiatives.
• Experience leading government and institutional tenders, RFPs, and large-scale public-sector opportunities.
• Demonstrated success in building, coaching, and scaling commercial sales teams.
• Strong strategic and commercial acumen, including growth planning, account management, forecasting, pricing, and renewals.
• Hands-on experience driving CRM adoption, pipeline transparency, and sales discipline.
• Confident public speaker with experience representing organisations at conferences, forums, and industry events.
• Strong financial and commercial understanding, including commission structures and investment planning.
• Postgraduate qualification preferred (MBA or equivalent).
• Fluent English communication skills required; Hindi and/or regional Indian language skills are an advantage.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to represent QS credibly across India.
So, who are we and what do we do?
QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success. We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.
Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.
Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.
With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?
We take investing in our people very seriously.
As standard you will have:
- Competitive base salary
- Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
- 21 days annual leave – increasing to 23 days after 5 years’ service + 8 days casual leave
- 14 days holiday for the year 2025
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Access to Provident Fund and Pension Fund Scheme
- Group Medical Insurance
- A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture
But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:
- Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
- A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
- EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Service - dedicated services for enhanced EAP and comprehensive wellness with 24/7 helpline available through Truworth Wellness
- Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
- Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual personal development event
- Support for volunteering and study leave
- Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5,000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
- Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme
Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!
As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.
Equal opportunities
QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.
Click on Apply to know more.