Looking for a job

RITESH DESAI

@riteshdesai

Message

I build and scale sports and education businesses through strategy and operations.

India

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to build and scale high-impact businesses where I can combine strategy, operational excellence and people-first leadership to create meaningful opportunities through sport, education and innovation.

I'm currently building In-School Sports and Sports Science verticals at SFL, partnering with the Founder's Office on business models, pricing, commercial planning, expansion strategy and institutional partnerships.

Previously, I led multi-centre academy operations and helped build Khel Gurukul, launch new event IPs, and deliver large sporting events. I've created systems for scheduling, governance, reporting, coach deployment, CRM, billing and programme execution.

Across sports, education, exhibitions and live events, I've combined business development, operational planning and cross-functional collaboration to turn ideas into scalable businesses.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Manager – Strategy & Growth

Current

SFL

Jan 2026 - Present (8 months)

Partnering with the Founder's Office to build In-School Sports and Sports Science verticals, contributing to business model development, pricing, commercial planning, expansion strategy, and marketing direction. Developing institutional partnerships with schools and education leaders, and creating proposals, presentations, and business documentation.

Business Development Strategy Partnerships Marketing Operations Proposal Writing Presentation Skills Documentation

Head – Operations & Academy Business

Badminton Gurukul / Khel Gurukul

Oct 2021 - Dec 2025 (4 years 2 months)

Led multi-centre academy operations, programme execution, and customer experience. Managed coach deployment, attendance, CRM, billing, reporting, and operational planning, while supporting P&L and budget planning.

Operations Management CRM Billing Reporting P&L management Event Planning Vendor Management Process Improvement

Operations & Logistics

Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

Dec 2019 - Sep 2021 (1 year 9 months)

Managed logistics, production coordination, and venue operations for flagship exhibitions including IIJS. Coordinated vendors, venue partners, and operational teams for seamless execution.

Logistics Production Coordination Vendor Management Event Operations Budgeting Stakeholder Coordination

Academy Development

Marcos Quay Sporting Excellence

Oct 2017 - May 2019 (1 year 7 months)

Managed academy operations, coach coordination, and programme delivery. Supported academy expansion, customer engagement, and operational planning.

Academy Operations Coaching Coordination Programme Delivery Customer Engagement Operational Planning

Production & Client Servicing

Entertainment Oxygen (EO2 Events)

Jan 2017 - Aug 2017 (7 months)

Managed corporate and live event production from planning to execution. Handled client servicing, vendor management, logistics, and event delivery.

Event Production Client Servicing Vendor Management Logistics Event Delivery

Business Development & Regional Operations

KOOH Sports / Sportz Village

Oct 2014 - Dec 2016 (2 years 2 months)

Progressed from Business Development into Regional Operations responsibilities. Managed academy operations, programme delivery, and institutional relationships.

Business Development Regional Operations Academy Operations Programme Delivery Institutional Relationship