The Role
Lead Morphogenesis’s 3–5 year institutionalization and value-creation journey by transitioning the partnership into a corporate structure, strengthening governance and financial controls, improving EBITDA and project profitability, and preparing for M&A or a liquidity event. The COO will standardize delivery processes, implement AI-enabled workflows, build leadership succession systems, scale adjacent ventures, and progressively assume ownership of enterprise operations, P&L, and organizational performance.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Morphogenesis
Morphogenesis is one of India's most respected architecture and urban design practices, globally recognized for climate-responsive design and transformative urban development. As the founders transition into non-executive board roles, the COO will play a central role in leading this next phase of institutionalization and growth.
Company: Morphogenesis (https://www.morphogenesis.org/)
Location: South Delhi, India
Reporting To: Chairman (Founder) & Vice Chairperson
Experience: 10–15 Years Post MBA Education: MBA from a Tier-1 Institution (IIM A/B/C, ISB, XLRI, FMS or equivalent global schools preferred)
The Mandate
Take increasing ownership of the firm's operational, financial, and strategic agenda: institutionalizing a founder-led enterprise, building investor-grade governance and financial systems, driving EBITDA expansion, scaling new growth engines, and embedding technology and AI into delivery workflows. The COO will have enterprise-wide responsibility, with ownership of P&L and organizational performance
Key Result Areas
1. Corporate Governance & Financial Architecture
- Build board governance, investor-grade financial controls, and audit-ready reporting systems
- Establish project-level profitability governance, forecasting, and working capital discipline
- Drive EBITDA optimization and valuation enhancement, keeping the business well-packaged
2. Process Engineering & AI-Led Transformation
- Standardize project delivery through firm-wide Digital Delivery Manuals and process governance
- Drive agentic AI workflows and AI-enabled quality assurance across studios
- Automate operational workflows to reduce founder dependency and shorten delivery cycles
3. Leadership Institutionalization
- Build a next-generation leadership layer capable of running the enterprise independently
- Establish succession planning, performance management, and decision-making governance
4. Growth Platforms
- Build the commercial frameworks, unit economics, and partnerships/JVs needed for diversified, profitable revenue streams
Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Director / Junior Partner from a top-tier strategy consulting firm (McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney, Strategy&, EY-Parthenon, Monitor Deloitte, or equivalent)
- Former Chief of Staff, COO, Transformation Leader, or Enterprise PMO leader with a strong financial and commercial orientation
- Track record in operational restructuring, corporate transformation, or value creation programs; exposure to professional services, architecture, engineering, real estate, or infrastructure is a strong plus
Personal Attributes
● Process obsessed and data driven
● Strong financial and commercial orientation
● High emotional intelligence and stakeholder management capability
● Ability to influence senior creative professionals without founder intervention
● Entrepreneurial mindset with willingness to bet on long-term value creation
Skills Required
- 10–15 years of post-MBA experience
- MBA from a Tier-1 institution such as IIM A/B/C, ISB, XLRI, FMS, or an equivalent global school
- Experience in operational restructuring, corporate transformation, M&A readiness, value creation programs, or PE-backed businesses
- Background as a Director or Junior Partner at a leading strategy or consulting firm, or equivalent experience as a Chief of Staff, COO, Transformation Leader, Business Head, or Enterprise PMO Leader
- Exposure to professional services, architecture, engineering, real estate, infrastructure, or project-led organizations
- Strong financial and commercial orientation
- Analytical, execution-oriented, process-focused, and data-driven approach
- Strong emotional intelligence and stakeholder management capability
- Ability to influence senior creative professionals without founder intervention
- Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to pursue long-term value creation
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The Company
What We Do
Founded in 1996, Morphogenesis is a globally recognized Indian design and consultancy practice with studios across the country. It delivers integrated architecture, interiors, landscape, and master-planning solutions for workplaces, institutions, hospitality, commercial, mixed-use, residential, retail, and home projects. Its climate-responsive, research-led approach emphasizes creative problem-solving, sustainability, resource optimization, and lasting environmental, social, and urban impact through a collaborative practice model.
