Dinesh Gaikwad

Impact-driven Regional CSR Program Operations Leader with 16+ years of experience managing large-scale social development, CSR, employability, education, and skilling programs across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Proven expertise in leading multi-crore program portfolios, regional operations, end-to-end project management, financial and grant governance, statutory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Experienced in managing and leading multi-state operations, cross-functional teams, budgets, partnerships, and program performance, with a strong track record of strengthening operational systems, ensuring audit readiness, and driving measurable program outcomes.

Skilled in evaluating and onboarding NGO partners through due diligence, while ensuring alignment with CSR policies, Schedule VII, and organizational governance frameworks. Demonstrated ability to translate organizational strategy into effective execution through MIS and Performance Management Systems, KPI-based monitoring, financial reviews, and quality assurance. Experienced in building relationships with donors, corporate stakeholders, employers, government bodies, NGOs, community leaders, and internal teams to scale program reach and strengthen community impact.

Recognized for impacting 5,000+ beneficiaries, strengthening governance across 20+ NGO partners, managing 20+ projects, and driving process improvements that enhance operational efficiency, accountability, and program effectiveness.

City Manager, Operations - MAGIC BUS INDIA FOUNDATION - Mumbai, MH

(2024-10)

Directing regional strategy, operational governance, and leading multi-crore employability and skilling CSR programs across Western India.

• Lead end-to-end strategy, operational execution, center setups, procurement, and scaling of employability and sustainable livelihood initiatives across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Monthly budget reviews with DLMs and RPM, support IOU settlements, ensure regional financial integrity, escalate deviations. Oversee multi-crore annual operating plans, resource allocations, and financial reconciliations, enforcing strict compliance to ensure 100% audit readiness.
• Implement SOP audits, performance analytics, LMS usage tracking, and MIS dashboards to achieve target enrollment, placement, and beneficiary retention goals.
• Mentor and direct cross-functional regional teams; drive strategic talent acquisition, structured onboarding, and proactive succession planning.
• Support regional recruitment (DLMs, placement managers), onboard and mentor staff, create growth plans, and foster a learning culture.
• Identify centres, manage rental agreements and procurement closure with Admin/CO/RPM, conduct centre visits and surprise audits.
• Conduct market assessments and FGDs with youth/parents for new projects; maintain regional dashboards.
• Enforce SOPs, monitor training quality, attendance, LMS use, maintain documentation (enrolment, placement, retention), organize job drives and employer interactions.
• Maintain sanitized centre-level records, stock and asset registers, support funder report collation, and generate timely reports.
• Ensure satisfaction of youths, parents, employers, funders; support donor visits, manage employee engagement, and run quarterly stakeholder meetings.

Assistant Manager, CSR - TECH MAHINDRA FOUNDATION - Mumbai, MH

(2019-05 - 2024-10)

Managed corporate social responsibility portfolios across Education, Livelihood, and Disability sectors.

• Directed and managed 20+ CSR projects across Mumbai, and Nagpur regional setups aligned with Schedule VII mandates, directly impacting 5,000+ beneficiaries.
• Lead conducted comprehensive technical and financial due diligence for 20+ partner NGOs; standardized partner onboarding and internal controls.
• Managed multi-crore fund allocations, disbursement and utilization, strategies unspent balance protocols, monitor administrative cap limits, ensuring timely submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs), and cleared external/internal financial audits.
• Conceptualized and executed corporate employee volunteering programs, building active workplace participation, ESG awareness, and community stakeholder alignment.
• Designed impact assessment frameworks and quarterly MIS dashboards for board-level CSR committees, designed program evaluation format, while strengthening relationships with corporate partners, government bodies, and employers.

M&E Manager / Operations Manager - NEW RESOLUTION INDIA - Mumbai, MH

(2015-08 - 2019-05)

• Managed 13 projects across three programs (Livelihood—YDTC Bright Future, Step to Livelihood—School, and Drama for Development), overseeing end-to-end program delivery and M&E.
• Formulated operational SOPs, organizational policy documents, and employee/volunteer guidelines; conducted M&E capability-building sessions for field execution teams.
• Monitor project activities, expenditures, and progress to ensure targets and outputs are met.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and annual reports and budget-utilization updates for the CEO.
• Coordinate project components to ensure effective monitoring & evaluation.
• Design and deliver M&E training for operations staff.
• Draft proposals and prepare program budgets.
• Manage program budgets, work plans, documentation, execution, and analysis.
• Monitor project expenses and support accounts with utilization reports.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with donors, employers, NGO partners, and community leaders.
• Develop policy and operational documents (accounting policy, SOPs, volunteering and mock-interview guidelines).

Assistant Regional Manager - SYNERGY ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS - Maharashtra

(2011-12 - 2015-07)

Led technical and stakeholder activities for municipal water-supply projects under Maharashtra Sujal and Nirmal Abhiyaan, including consumer surveys, water and energy audits, hydraulic modelling, GIS mapping, and flow-meter installation. Managed end-to-end tendering (preparation, submission, negotiation, execution) and monitored contract performance, identifying variances and escalating issues. Developed new business, supported strategic planning, and organized promotional and outreach programs (drinking-water awareness for citizen of municipal council, women, schoolchildren, and officials).

Coordinated closely with municipal authorities across Marathwada and Western Maharashtra, State Water & Sanitation departments, and central Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. Represented the organisation at regional and national exhibitions, conferences, and seminars.

Business Development Executive - IMPERIAL LIFE SCIENCES PVT. LTD. - Pune, MH

(2009-05 - 2011-12)

• Managed sales and customer relationships for life-science consumables and instruments with research institutes (NCCS, NCL, IISER, NARI). Drove new-client acquisition and revenue growth through promotion of new product launches.
• Analyzed purchasing behavior of research and biopharma customers to inform sales strategy.
• Created promotional plans and cross-selling collateral for key product propositions, leveraging exclusive product advantages for internal marketing and sales enablement.

MBA - Marketing - Savitribai Phule Pune University (2009)

B.E. - Biotechnology - KIT College of Engineering, Kolhapur (2006)