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, sustainability-led innovation, and transformative urban development projects.
As the firm embarks on a strategic 3–5 year roadmap culminating in a liquidity event, strategic investment, or M&A transaction, the founders are transitioning into non-executive board roles. Simultaneously, the firm is undertaking a legal and operational transformation from a registered partnership into a corporate structure.
This creates a unique opportunity for a high-potential operator to become the architect of one of the most ambitious institutionalization journeys within India's design ecosystem.
Company: Morphogenesis (https://www.morphogenesis.org/)
Location: South Delhi, India
Reporting To: Chairman (Founder) & Vice Chairperson / Managing Partner Role Horizon: 3–5 Year Value Creation & Strategic Exit Roadmap 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
This is not a traditional COO role.
This is a value creation, restructuring, and enterprise transformation mandate designed to prepare Morphogenesis for a strategic exit within the next 3–5 years.
The successful candidate will assume increasing ownership of the firm's operational, financial, and strategic agenda with the objective of:
● Institutionalizing a founder-led enterprise
● Building investor-grade governance and financial systems
● Driving EBITDA expansion and valuation enhancement
● Scaling new growth engines
● Embedding technology and AI into delivery workflows
● Preparing the business for a successful M&A or liquidity event
Over time, the role is expected to evolve into full enterprise-level COO responsibility with ownership of P&L and organizational performance.
Key Result Areas (KRAs)
1. Corporate Governance & M&A Readiness
Lead the transformation from partnership structure to a corporate operating model.
Responsibilities include:
● Drive transition to Private Limited structure
● Build board governance processes and reporting mechanisms
● Establish investor-grade financial controls
● Create audit-ready operating systems
● Drive Quality of Earnings readiness
● Build transaction data room infrastructure
● Develop valuation enhancement roadmap
● Support strategic investors, bankers, and M&A advisors during diligence processes
Success Metrics
● Successful corporate transition completed
● Monthly board reporting operationalized
● Audit-ready financial reporting framework established
● M&A readiness achieved within 36 months
2. Financial Architecture & Margin Protection
Assume increasing ownership of financial performance across studios, business units, and project portfolios.
Responsibilities include:
● Establish profitability governance across all projects
● Implement project-level margin monitoring
● Build forecasting and budgeting systems
● Create revenue, utilization, and productivity dashboards
● Introduce working capital management disciplines
● Establish commercial approval frameworks for fast-track projects
● Drive EBITDA optimization initiatives
Success Metrics
● EBITDA margin expansion
● Improved project profitability
● Reduction in cost overruns
● Improved cash conversion cycle
3. Process Engineering & AI-Led Transformation
Create a scalable operating platform capable of maintaining design excellence without founder dependency.
Responsibilities include:
● Roll out firm-wide Digital Delivery Manuals
● Standardize project delivery methodologies
● Build process governance frameworks
● Drive implementation of agentic AI workflows
● Develop AI-enabled quality assurance systems
● Introduce aesthetic scoring and design consistency mechanisms
● Automate operational workflows and reporting systems
Success Metrics
● Firm-wide Digital Delivery Manual adoption
● Significant reduction in founder review dependency
● AI-enabled quality control implemented across pilot studios
● Reduced project delivery cycle times
4. Leadership Institutionalization
Build the next generation leadership layer capable of running the enterprise independently.
Responsibilities include:
● Operationalize Strategy Council framework
● Institutionalize Partner-Track development program
● Build succession planning processes
● Establish performance management architecture
● Create executive operating rhythms
● Develop decision-making governance systems
Success Metrics
● Independent L5/L6 leadership pipeline created
● 90% reduction in founder escalations
● Increased decision velocity across the organization
5. Growth Platforms & Cross-Entity Management
Scale Morphogenesis' emerging turnkey design-build venture and other adjacent growth opportunities.
Responsibilities include:
● Drive business model development
● Build operational systems and governance
● Establish commercial frameworks
● Monitor unit economics and profitability
● Build execution ecosystem and partnerships
● Drive integration between core design and delivery businesses
Success Metrics
● Successful scale-up of Morph.net
● Sustainable profitability achieved
● Diversified revenue streams established
Why This Opportunity
Very few opportunities in India offer the chance to:
● Lead the institutionalization of a globally recognized design firm
● Build a board-ready, investor-grade enterprise
● Drive a full corporate transformation
● Scale new business platforms
● Implement AI-led operating models
● Participate directly in value creation associated with a strategic exit
This is a career-defining opportunity for a future CEO or COO seeking to build, transform, and monetize enterprise value at scale.
Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are seeking a highly analytical, execution-oriented leader who combines consulting-grade strategic thinking with operational excellence.
Preferred Background
● Director / Junior Partner from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney, Strategy&, EY-Parthenon, Monitor Deloitte, or equivalent
● Former Chief of Staff, COO, Transformation Leader, Business Head, or Enterprise PMO leader
● Experience in operational restructuring, corporate transformation, M&A readiness, value creation programs, or PE-backed businesses
● Exposure to professional services, architecture, engineering, real estate, infrastructure, or project-led organizations is highly desirable
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
● Aspiration to grow into a full-scale enterprise COO role
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.
