The posting
About us
Encord is the universal data layer for AI that helps 300+ AI teams train and run models on the right data. Our platform indexes, curates, annotates, and evaluates data across the full AI lifecycle, from development through production.
Trusted by Woven by Toyota, AXA, UiPath, Zipline, and more. We're an ambitious team of 100+ working at the frontier of AI and have raised $60M in Series C funding from Wellington Management, CRV, Next47 and Y Combinator.
The role
As a General Manager, you’ll join as a first leadership hire in the region to scale our India delivery hub: building a high-calibre team, setting the cultural standard, and creating an industry-leading project delivery capability.
You'll work closely with our business leadership, GTM, Product and Tech teams globally, with the long-term goal of scaling the India org to several hundred people. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on variety and ambiguity, understands what it takes to build a world-class operation in a new hub and cares deeply about the talent bar and the company’s image.
What you'll do
- Build the organisation. You'll shape how the team is structured, and set the standard for everything that follows — with the goal of growing to several hundred people over time.
- Turn strategy into execution. Work shoulder-to-shoulder with leadership to break down company priorities into concrete plans, clear ownership, and the operational discipline needed to actually deliver them across the India function.
- Create the operating backbone. Establish the rhythms and routines — planning cycles, performance cadences, leadership check-ins — that keep a fast-scaling team focused, aligned, and moving without losing momentum.
- Fix what's slowing us down. Proactively identify where the organisation is getting stuck — whether that's process gaps, capacity constraints, or structural friction — and build solutions that scale as we grow.
- Maintain an exceptionally high bar for talent. Every hire matters. You'll set the hiring standard, make the tough calls, and ensure the people joining the India team are genuinely exceptional.
- Make Encord a destination in India. Build a brand that the best people in the market actually want to join. The product you're selling is the opportunity itself; make it real.
- Build a culture worth staying for. Create an environment where people do the best work of their careers — one that reflects Encord's values and holds up as the team scales, not just when it's small.
Who we're looking for
- You operate like an owner. You don't wait for direction — you identify what needs to happen, build the plan, and execute it. Ambiguity doesn't slow you down; it's where you do your best work.
- You move people without authority. You get things done across teams and geographies through trust, clear framing, and good judgement — not by leaning on your title or escalating up the chain.
- You hold the line on quality. Whether it's a hire, a process, or a client deliverable, you have high standards and the conviction to enforce them even when it's inconvenient.
- You build for the long term. You're not here to hit a short-term target and move on — you want to build something that lasts, and you understand that culture and talent bar are the foundations everything else rests on.
Experience requirements
- 10–15 years of general management or site leadership experience, ideally with a strong consulting foundation — ex-MBB at Project Leader, Engagement Manager, or Principal level is the benchmark
- Proven experience building teams in a high-growth or operationally complex environment
- Deep understanding of the local talent market and the ability to build a brand that competes
- A global mindset — you understand the business standards and can bring that rigour and culture to your team
- Exceptional people instincts: you know how to recruit for excellence and how to protect culture as a team scales
- Comfortable with ambiguity — we don't have all the answers yet, and you'll help shape them
Why Encord
- Competitive salary and meaningful equity in a high-growth, Series C start-up
- Clear, accelerated growth opportunities as the company scales rapidly — this role grows with the business
- Flexible PTO and generous paid vacation days
- Annual learning & development budget to invest in your growth
- Comprehensive health coverage
- Regular travel opportunities to our London HQ and global team events
- Bi-annual company offsites, twice-weekly team lunches, and monthly socials
