About CIDSA
The AI enabled Centre for Innovation in Digital & Sustainable Agriculture (CIDSA) works closely with agricultural universities, government departments, and industry partners to establish industry-supported AgriTech Centres of Excellence across India. CIDSA focuses on capacity building, technology adoption, and ecosystem development in advanced and precision agriculture.
Role Overview
CIDSA is seeking an experienced Business Development professional (7–8 years) with strong exposure to the agriculture and AgriTech ecosystem. The role involves representing CIDSA across agricultural universities, colleges, government departments, and allied institutions, and driving partnerships for setting up and expanding CIDSA Centers of Excellence nationwide.
This role requires extensive travel across India and frequent interaction with senior stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Represent CIDSA and make structured presentations to:
- Agricultural Universities & Colleges
- State and Central Government Departments
- Academic leaders, administrators, and policymakers
- Drive institutional partnerships for establishing CIDSA Centers of Excellence
- Engage with senior officials, Vice Chancellors, Deans, Directors, and Department Heads
- Coordinate with internal technical and leadership teams for proposal preparation and follow-ups
- Support MoU discussions, approvals, and onboarding of partner institutions
- Track leads, engagement progress, and reporting through CRM or internal systems
- Act as a brand ambassador for CIDSA across the academic and government ecosystem
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Experience & Background
- 7–8 years of experience in Business Development, Partnerships, or Institutional Sales
- Prior experience in AgriTech, agriculture solutions, agri-inputs, agri-infrastructure, or edtech for agriculture preferred
- Experience working with government bodies, universities, research institutions, or large enterprises is a strong advantage
- Skills & Competencies
- Excellent presentation and communication skills (English & Hindi; regional languages a plus)
- Strong ability to engage and influence senior academic and government stakeholders
- Comfortable with consultative, long-cycle sales and partnership-driven discussions
- Ability to work independently and manage pan-India travel
- Strong documentation, proposal, and follow-up skills
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Engineering, Management, or related fields
- MBA or PG Diploma in Marketing / Agri-Business is desirable but not mandatory
- Travel & Work Mode
- Extensive pan-India travel (50–70%)
- Base location – Bengaluru / Pune
We Offer
- Opportunity to work on nation-building and ecosystem-level AgriTech initiatives
- High visibility role with interaction at policy, academic, and industry leadership levels
- Competitive compensation aligned with experience
- Performance-linked incentives