Senior Program Manager

Institute of Disability, Rehabilitation & Research (IDRR)

Location: Bengaluru

Reporting to: The Senior Program Manager will report to the Executive Director –

Programmes on an interim basis. Following the appointment of the Director – Academics &

Skills, the role will transition to report directly to that position.

Travel Requirement

This position requires travel of approximately 40% of the work time across India, with a primary focus on district and rural locations. The incumbent should be willing to undertake regular field visits to APD centres, partner institutions, universities, hospitals, government agencies and community programmes to support academic, research, partnership and capacity-building initiatives.

About APD

About The Association of People with Disability (APD)

The Association of People with Disability (APD) is one of India's leading not-for-profit organizations working towards creating an inclusive society where persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate with dignity and independence. Established in 1959,

APD has over six decades of experience in delivering high-quality rehabilitation, inclusive education, livelihood, healthcare, community-based rehabilitation, advocacy, research and capacity-building programmes.

Operating across Karnataka and beyond, APD impacts thousands of individuals and families every year through integrated disability services that span prevention, early intervention,

education, skilling, employment, rehabilitation, assistive technology, policy advocacy and community inclusion. APD works closely with government agencies, educational institutions,

healthcare providers, corporate partners and development organisations to build sustainable and scalable disability-inclusive solutions.

Driven by the values of dignity, equity, inclusion and excellence, APD continues to be a pioneer in advancing disability rights while creating innovative models that influence practice, policy and systems across India.

About the Institute of Disability, Rehabilitation & Research (IDRR)

The Institute of Disability, Rehabilitation & Research (IDRR) is APD's academic,



research and professional capacity-building arm dedicated to developing the next generation of rehabilitation professionals and strengthening disability services across India.

IDRR delivers professional education, clinical training, research, and continuing education programmes across multiple rehabilitation disciplines. The Institute collaborates with universities, regulatory bodies, healthcare institutions, NGOs and government agencies to advance evidence-based rehabilitation practice, interdisciplinary learning and innovation.

The Institute is committed to producing competent rehabilitation professionals while fostering research, knowledge creation and community engagement that contribute to improving the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of disability rehabilitation services.

Position Summary The Senior Program Manager will provide strategic, academic and operational leadership for the Institute of Disability, Rehabilitation & Research (IDRR). The role is responsible for strengthening academic excellence, expanding institutional partnerships, ensuring regulatory compliance, driving research initiatives and building a sustainable growth strategy for the Institute.

Working closely with APD leadership, faculty, students, regulatory bodies and external partners, the incumbent will lead the Institute's academic operations while promoting innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous institutional improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement the long-term strategic roadmap for IDRR aligned with APD's vision and organisational priorities.

Drive institutional growth through new academic programmes, strategic partnerships and innovation.

Lead organisational change initiatives that enhance academic quality, research and institutional effectiveness.





Academic Leadership

Ensure high standards in curriculum planning, delivery and continuous improvement.

Oversee academic planning, student admissions, examinations and academic governance.

Strengthen faculty capability through mentoring, professional development and performance management.

Foster a culture of excellence in teaching, learning and student engagement.

Research & Knowledge Development

Promote interdisciplinary research and evidence-based practice.

Build collaborations with universities, research institutions and healthcare organisations.

Encourage publications, research grants, conferences and academic dissemination.

Develop institutional knowledge repositories and digital learning resources.

Programme & Operational Management

Lead day-to-day academic and administrative operations of the Institute.

Ensure effective utilisation of financial, human and infrastructure resources.

Monitor institutional performance through defined KPIs and continuous improvement mechanisms.

Prepare annual plans, budgets, progress reports and institutional reviews.

Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with RCI, University and other applicable regulatory requirements.

Lead accreditation, inspections and quality assurance initiatives.

Maintain institutional policies, academic records and governance documentation.

Partnerships & External Engagement

Build strategic collaborations with universities, hospitals, NGOs, CSR partners and government agencies.

Represent APD and IDRR at national and international forums.

Strengthen industry-academia linkages and professional networks.

Student Success

Ensure a high-quality student learning experience.

Oversee student welfare, hostel administration (where applicable) and academic support systems.

Promote student placements, internships and career development opportunities.

Team Leadership

Lead, coach and develop multidisciplinary academic and administrative teams.

Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performance culture aligned with APD's values.

Drive employee engagement, accountability and continuous learning.

📌 Senior Program Manager - IDRR (Bengaluru)
🏢 The Association of People With Disability
📍 Bengaluru