Experienced Program Management, Operations, and Partnerships

Rajveer Singh Kalsi

Volo, IL +1-872-***-**** *****************@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/rajveer-singh-kalsi-259782203

Senior Innovation, Partnerships & Ecosystem Leader Industry & University Collaboration Workforce Development & Employer Engagement Startup Incubation & Program Leadership Event & Stakeholder Engagement US Permanent Resident Based in Illinois, Open to Nationwide Opportunities

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Senior partnerships and ecosystem development leader with 14 years of experience across industry engagement, strategic marketing, large-scale event leadership, and workforce development initiatives. Proven track record of building and scaling cross-sector collaborations between academia, industry, government, and startups to drive talent pipelines, institutional visibility, and programmatic impact.

Experienced in leading end-to-end stakeholder engagement strategies, including partnership development, brand positioning, flagship events, and innovation-focused programs that strengthen organizational reach and outcomes. Strong background in program leadership, operations, and cross-functional team management, with a focus on aligning institutional goals with industry needs and external engagement strategies.

CORE SKILLS

Innovation & Ecosystem Leadership Industry & University Partnerships Workforce Development & Employer Engagement Startup Incubation & Entrepreneurship Programs Strategic Program & Stakeholder Management Curriculum Alignment & Employability Design Large-scale Events, Bootcamps & Engagement Initiatives Cross-functional & Operational Leadership

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lovely Professional University (LPU) Punjab, India

Senior Manager – Innovation & Skill Development 2025 – 2026

• Lead entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives supporting student and faculty-led startups through mentorship, incubation, and ecosystem engagement programs.

• Designed and implemented entrepreneurship bootcamps, workshops, and workforce-aligned skill development initiatives across multiple academic disciplines.

• Built partnerships with industry leaders, innovation hubs, and ecosystem organizations to expand internship, startup, and collaboration opportunities.

• Supported startups with business model development, pitch readiness, funding strategies, and access to accelerators and investor networks.

• Facilitated awareness and access to government-supported innovation and entrepreneurship programs including Startup India, MSME, AICTE, and DST initiatives.

• Oversee incubation operations, stakeholder coordination, reporting processes, and program performance tracking to strengthen institutional innovation outcomes.

• Collaborate with academic leadership and external partners to align entrepreneurship and employability initiatives with industry and workforce trends.

• Design, implement, and promote entrepreneurial programs, workshops, and bootcamps for students and faculty.

• Identify and nurture student and faculty-led startup ideas through structured mentorship and capacity-building initiatives.

• Collaborate with academic departments to integrate entrepreneurship modules into relevant curricula.

CT University Punjab, India

Industry Connect Manager 2024 – 2025

• Built strategic partnerships with corporate organizations to strengthen industry engagement, internship pipelines, placement support, and collaborative academic initiatives.

• Coordinated MBA program operations, academic planning, and student engagement activities while ensuring alignment with institutional standards and industry expectations.

• Conducted market research and competitor benchmarking to support institutional marketing strategies and program positioning.

• Worked closely with faculty and industry stakeholders to strengthen curriculum relevance and workforce alignment.

• Delivered postgraduate-level courses in Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, and Entrepreneurship with an emphasis on real-world business application.

• Served as a key liaison between academia and industry partners to support employer engagement and experiential learning opportunities.

PCTE Group of Institutes Ludhiana, Punjab

Assistant Professor Head of Department 2013 – 2024

• Led academic operations, faculty coordination, curriculum planning, and student engagement initiatives for the Journalism and Fashion Design departments.

• Managed international student engagement and support services for students from Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, promoting cross-cultural integration and student success.

• Planned and executed large-scale academic, cultural, and institutional events including literary festivals, national debates, beauty pageants, and student engagement programs.

• Delivered professional development workshops and corporate training sessions focused on communication, leadership, workplace etiquette, and team development.

• Collaborated with admissions, marketing, and academic teams to support student outreach, enrolment initiatives, and institutional branding efforts.

• Taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Marketing, Retail Management, Consumer Behaviour, Business Communication, and Cross-Cultural Management.

• Developed communication and language training modules to improve student and faculty engagement, presentation, and professional communication skills.

HYPERCITY RETAIL Bangalore, India

Assistant Marketing Manager 2012 – 2013

• Supported execution of promotional campaigns, customer engagement initiatives, and in-store marketing strategies to improve brand visibility and customer experience.

• Conducted market research and competitor analysis to support campaign planning and merchandising strategies.

• Collaborated with sales and operations teams to align marketing initiatives with business goals, inventory planning, and customer engagement objectives.

Education

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)

Marketing & International Business AICTE Approved 2011 – 2013

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Business Management Maha Maya University 2008 – 2011

Languages

English – Fluent

Hindi – Native

Punjabi – Native

Swahili – Conversational

Spanish – Beginner (Learning)

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