Associate Strategy AI & Business Transformation

Required: MBA / Postgraduate degree from IIM, preferably from a leading IIM.

SVI is looking for a high-potential IIM graduate to work closely with senior and C-level leadership on strategic research, business improvement, management analysis, and special projects.

This is a high-visibility role designed for a talented early-career professional who is curious about how businesses operate and wants to develop into a future business leader.

The successful candidate will work directly with senior management to research business challenges, analyze data, benchmark best practices, identify improvement opportunities, and develop fact-based recommendations to support management decision-making.

The candidate is expected to think, challenge, investigate, connect information, and recommend practical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Research & Executive Support

• Conduct research on business, technology, industry, competitors, customers, and market trends.
• Research emerging topics such as AI, automation, digital transformation, Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, and new business models.
• Prepare executive-level research papers, briefing notes, presentations, and management summaries.
• Support C-level executives in preparing for strategic discussions and management meetings.
• Convert complex information into clear, concise, and actionable insights.

2. Business Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve cost, productivity, quality, processes, organization, customer experience, and operational effectiveness.
• Analyze current processes and identify gaps, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
• Benchmark SVI against leading companies and industry best practices.
• Develop recommendations together with relevant business functions.
• Track improvement initiatives and measure business impact.

3. Data & Business Analytics

• Collect and analyze business and operational data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Develop analytical models and management dashboards where appropriate.
• Translate data into business insights and recommendations.
• Support management with fact-based analysis rather than assumptions.

4. AI & Digital Transformation

• Research how AI and digital technologies can be applied across SVI.
• Identify potential opportunities for AI-enabled productivity, automation, decision support, and process improvement.
• Benchmark how leading global companies are using AI and digital technologies.
• Work with relevant functions to assess potential use cases and business value.

5. Special Projects

• Support C-level executives on strategic and confidential projects.
• Conduct analysis for new business opportunities, investments, organizational changes, and transformation initiatives.
• Participate in cross-functional projects involving Operations, Engineering, Finance, Sales, HR, IT, and other functions.
• Take ownership of selected projects from research analysis recommendation implementation results.

6. Executive Communication

• Prepare high-quality presentations for senior management.
• Present findings and recommendations clearly and logically.
• Communicate with stakeholders across different functions and levels.
• Be comfortable asking difficult questions and challenging existing assumptions respectfully.

Education

• MBA / Postgraduate degree from IIM, preferably from a leading IIM.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Business, Economics, Finance, Data/Analytics, or a related field.
• Fresh IIM graduates are welcome.

Preferred Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Excellent research skills.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Ability to work with data and convert it into meaningful business insights.
• Strong business understanding and commercial awareness.
• Interest in AI, digital transformation, technology, and manufacturing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with senior executives with maturity and confidence.
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture.

Personal Characteristics

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly curious naturally wants to understand why things happen.
• Analytical uses facts and data to form conclusions.
• Business-minded understands the impact on cost, revenue, productivity, customers, and people.
• Proactive – does not wait to be told every step.
• Mature and confident – comfortable working with senior leaders.
• Structured thinker – can turn an ambiguous problem into a clear approach.
• Innovative – interested in finding better ways of working.
• Humble and collaborative – able to work with people across all levels.
• Execution-oriented – not only recommends ideas but follows through to results.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12–18 months, the successful candidate should be able to:

• Independently conduct research and present meaningful insights to senior management.
• Identify business improvement opportunities and quantify their potential impact.
• Support C-level executives with high-quality analysis and recommendations.
• Lead selected cross-functional improvement projects.
• Develop a strong understanding of SVI's business, customers, operations, and competitive environment.
• Become a trusted "thought partner" to management.