President

Indian School of Development Management (ISDM); Dadri; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 5,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) in Delhi NCR seeks a President to steer the next phase of growth, shaping academic leadership, institution-building, partnerships, and financial sustainability. The role demands a seasoned institution builder who can translate vision into execution, mobilize resources, develop leadership teams, and scale ISDM’s work and influence across India and globally.

Reports to the Chair of the Board / Founding President, and collaborates with Deans, faculty,

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in management, public policy, social sciences, or related field.
• 20+ years of leadership experience with a strong track record in institution building.
• Experience in higher education, philanthropy, development sector, or mission-driven organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead ISDM's long-term strategic vision and growth.
• Position ISDM as a leading Development Management institution globally.
• Oversee fundraising, governance, partnerships, and academic excellence.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Stakeholder management

Public policy

Governance

Education

Advanced degree in management

Experience in higher education or development sector

Job description

As ISDM marks a decade of institution building, it stands at an inflection point. What began as an ambitious idea has evolved into a nationally recognised institution shaping talent, knowledge, and practice in the social sector. The next phase calls for deepening academic excellence, expanding presence, increasing influence, building a globally respected institution in Development Management and having a wide-ranging impact across the country.

The President will play a defining role in shaping this next chapter transitioning ISDM from a strong foundation to a scaled, enduring institution with national impact and global reputation.

About ISDM

The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) is a pioneering institution established in 2016 to build the field of Development Management as a distinct and rigorous discipline for social development work. Conceived by leaders from both practice and academia, ISDM was founded on the belief that traditional management education does not adequately address the complexity, values, and realities of social impact work.

ISDM’s mission is to strengthen the leadership and management capacity in social development work across social purpose organizations and the government. It seeks to establish Development Management as both a recognized profession and a robust body of knowledge, enabling more effective, scalable, and sustainable social impact.

At the core of ISDM’s work is its flagship Post Graduate Programme in Development Management (PGP-DM) an intensive, practice-oriented programme designed to equip professionals with the skills to design, manage, and scale interventions in complex social contexts. Alongside this, ISDM is building a broader ecosystem through its work on building the discipline and knowledge assets for teaching and developing Development Management professionals, while simultaneously working to influence and build the acceptance and adoption of Development Management among senior leaders in the social sector and the government. ISDM’s approach reimagines management through a development lens prioritizing equity, justice, collaboration, and long-term societal value. It brings together practitioners, academia, and institutions to co-create knowledge and practice that is deeply rooted in the realities of the social development work.

As ISDM enters its second decade, it has aspirations to build a national grid composed of 5 regional campuses across India; a Virtual University that provide learning opportunities in Development Management in several languages in the country; and a strong partnership with some institutions within the government to take Development Management into the government in a structured and systemic manner. ISDM also aspires to make available the wisdom and experience it has to countries in the Global South

Location:

Delhi NCR, India (with travel within India and globally)

Reports To:

Chair of the Board / Founding President

Works Closely With

• Board of Governing Trustees and Founders
• Deans, Faculty, and Senior Leadership Team
• External partners: funders, government, universities, civil society organisations, and media

Role Overview

The President will serve as the chief executive of ISDM, leading the institution into its next phase of growth, influence, and institutional maturity. The role spans academic leadership, institution building, partnerships, and financial sustainability.

This role requires a seasoned institution builder who can translate vision into execution, mobilize resources, develop strong leadership teams, and build the systems and culture required to scale ISDM’s work and influence.

Key Responsibilities

Institutional Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the execution and evolution of ISDM’s long-term strategic vision
• Position ISDM as the leading institution for Development Management in India and globally
• Strengthen ISDM’s role as a thought leader in development management
• Build ISDM’s national and international visibility and reputation
• Ensure ISDM’s mission and values are deeply embedded across all institutional practices
• Monitor and ensure the desired outcomes and impact is being achieved in line with the vision and mission of ISDM

Academic & Program Excellence

• Strengthen ISDM’s academic rigor, pedagogical innovation, and research contributions
• Attract, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty, practitioners, and thought leaders
• Ensure ISDM’s programs including PGP, executive education, and research initiatives remain cutting-edge, relevant, and impactful
• Cultivate partnerships with leading universities, research institutions, and global networks

Organizational Leadership & Management

• Build and lead a high-performing Senior Leadership Team
• Strengthen systems, processes, and governance frameworks to support institutional growth
• Oversee financial management, budgeting, compliance, and operational effectiveness
• Foster an inclusive, mission-driven institutional culture that attracts and develops exceptional talent
• Lead fundraising across philanthropy, CSR, foundations, and institutional grants
• Build long-term partnerships with funders and strategic collaborators
• Engage with government, civil society, philanthropy, and private sector leaders to expand ISDM’s influence
• Serve as a key external ambassador for ISDM alongside the Founder and Advisory Board leadership

Governance & Board Relations

• Report regularly to the Board of Trustees on institutional strategy, performance, and financial health
• Work closely with the Advisory Board Chair / Founder to ensure continuity of mission and vision
• Support strong governance by engaging meaningfully with the Board and Advisory Board
• Demonstrate a deep belief in ISDM's vision and mission, with a commitment to building a more just, equitable, humane, and sustainable world.
• Inspire others through values-led leadership and embody the culture and behaviours that ISDM stands for.
• Act as an ambassador for Development Management and ISDM, representing the institution with credibility across relevant networks and external forums.

Candidate Profile

Educational Qualifications and Experience Required

• Advanced degree in management, public policy, social sciences, or related fields
• 20+ years of leadership experience with a strong track record in institution building
• Experience in higher education, philanthropy, development sector organisations, or mission-driven institutions
• Deep understanding of the social sector and development ecosystem
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising/ business development and strategic partnerships
• Strong people leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• High integrity and alignment with ISDM’s mission and values