About Morphogenesis

Morphogenesis is one of India's most respected architecture and urban design practices, globally recognized for climate-responsive design, sustainability-led innovation, and transformative urban development projects.

As the firm embarks on a strategic 3–5 year roadmap culminating in a liquidity event, strategic investment, or M&A; transaction, the founders are transitioning into non-executive board roles. Simultaneously, the firm is undertaking a legal and operational transformation from a registered partnership into a corporate structure.

This creates a unique opportunity for a high-potential operator to become the architect of one of the most ambitious institutionalization journeys within India's design ecosystem.

Company: Morphogenesis (https://www.morphogenesis.org/)

Location: South Delhi, India

Reporting To: Chairman (Founder) & Vice Chairperson / Managing Partner Role Horizon: 3–5 Year Value Creation & Strategic Exit Roadmap Experience: 10–15 Years Post MBA Education: MBA from a Tier-1 Institution (IIM A/B/C, ISB, XLRI, FMS or equivalent global schools preferred)

The Mandate

This is not a traditional COO role.

This is a value creation, restructuring, and enterprise transformation mandate designed to prepare Morphogenesis for a strategic exit within the next 3–5 years.

The successful candidate will assume increasing ownership of the firm's operational, financial, and strategic agenda with the objective of:

● Institutionalizing a founder-led enterprise ● Building investor-grade governance and financial systems ● Driving EBITDA expansion and valuation enhancement ● Scaling new growth engines ● Embedding technology and AI into delivery workflows ● Preparing the business for a successful M&A; or liquidity event

Over time, the role is expected to evolve into full enterprise-level COO responsibility with ownership of P&L; and organizational performance.

Key Result Areas (KRAs)

1. Corporate Governance & M&A; Readiness

Lead the transformation from partnership structure to a corporate operating model.

Responsibilities include:

● Drive transition to Private Limited structure ● Build board governance processes and reporting mechanisms ● Establish investor-grade financial controls ● Create audit-ready operating systems ● Drive Quality of Earnings readiness ● Build transaction data room infrastructure ● Develop valuation enhancement roadmap ● Support strategic investors, bankers, and M&A; advisors during diligence processes





Success Metrics ● Successful corporate transition completed ● Monthly board reporting operationalized ● Audit-ready financial reporting framework established ● M&A; readiness achieved within 36 months

2.

Financial

Architecture & Margin Protection

Assume increasing ownership of financial performance across studios, business units, and project portfolios.

Responsibilities include:

● Establish profitability governance across all projects ● Implement project-level margin monitoring ● Build forecasting and budgeting systems ● Create revenue, utilization, and productivity dashboards ● Introduce working capital management disciplines ● Establish commercial approval frameworks for fast-track projects ● Drive EBITDA optimization initiatives

Success Metrics ● EBITDA margin expansion ● Improved project profitability ● Reduction in cost overruns ● Improved cash conversion cycle

3.

Process

Engineering & AI-Led Transformation

Create a scalable operating platform capable of maintaining design excellence without founder dependency.

Responsibilities include:

● Roll out firm-wide Digital Delivery Manuals ● Standardize project delivery methodologies ● Build process governance frameworks ● Drive implementation of agentic AI workflows ● Develop AI-enabled quality assurance systems ● Introduce aesthetic scoring and design consistency mechanisms ● Automate operational workflows and reporting systems

Success Metrics ● Firm-wide Digital Delivery Manual adoption ● Significant reduction in founder review dependency ● AI-enabled quality control implemented across pilot studios ● Reduced project delivery cycle times

4.

Leadership

Institutionalization

Build the next generation leadership layer capable of running the enterprise independently.

Responsibilities include:





● Operationalize Strategy Council framework ● Institutionalize Partner-Track development program ● Build succession planning processes ● Establish performance management architecture ● Create executive operating rhythms ● Develop decision-making governance systems

Success Metrics ● Independent L5/L6 leadership pipeline created ● 90% reduction in founder escalations ● Increased decision velocity across the organization

5.

Growth

Platforms & Cross-Entity Management

Scale Morphogenesis' emerging turnkey design-build venture and other adjacent growth opportunities.

Responsibilities include:

● Drive business model development ● Build operational systems and governance ● Establish commercial frameworks ● Monitor unit economics and profitability ● Build execution ecosystem and partnerships ● Drive integration between core design and delivery businesses

Success Metrics ● Successful scale-up of Morph.net ● Sustainable profitability achieved ● Diversified revenue streams established

Why This Opportunity

Very few opportunities in India offer the chance to:

● Lead the institutionalization of a globally recognized design firm ● Build a board-ready, investor-grade enterprise ● Drive a full corporate transformation ● Scale new business platforms ● Implement AI-led operating models ● Participate directly in value creation associated with a strategic exit

This is a career-defining opportunity for a future CEO or COO seeking to build, transform, and monetize enterprise value at scale.

Requirements

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a highly analytical, execution-oriented leader who combines consulting-grade strategic thinking with operational excellence.

Preferred Background ● Director / Junior Partner from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney, Strategy&, EY-Parthenon, Monitor Deloitte, or equivalent ● Former Chief of Staff, COO, Transformation Leader, Business Head, or Enterprise PMO leader ● Experience in operational restructuring, corporate transformation, M&A; readiness, value creation programs, or PE-backed businesses ● Exposure to professional services, architecture, engineering, real estate, infrastructure, or project-led organizations is highly desirable

Personal Attributes ● Process obsessed and data driven ● Robust financial and commercial orientation ● High emotional intelligence and stakeholder management capability ● Ability to influence senior creative professionals without founder intervention ● Entrepreneurial mindset with willingness to bet on long-term value creation ● Aspiration to grow into a full-scale enterprise COO role

📌 Chief Operating Officer (New Delhi)
🏢 MORPHOGENESIS
📍 New Delhi