Location: Hyderabad

Position Overview

This role is responsible for shaping the organization's strategy and direction in India, in close partnership with the global leadership team. The Managing Director leads all in-country operations, fundraising, and and budget management; oversees staff, consultants, interns, and volunteers; works closely with regional leadership across neighbouring countries and globally; directs the organization's programs in India; builds the organization's public profile with media and stakeholders; leads fundraising efforts by cultivating donor relationships, securing institutional and multi-channel funding, and expanding strategic partnerships; represents the organization to government bodies, institutions, and sector partners at the national and regional level; and ensures full compliance with applicable Indian laws. The role also maintains regular reporting to the India Board of Directors in line with statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management & Fundraising:

• Evaluate the organization's short- and long-term financial and capital requirements and recommend appropriate courses of action.

• Prepare and monitor the annual operating budget.

• Compile and submit periodic performance and financial reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

• Identify, pursue, and secure institutional, philanthropic, corporate, and multi- channel funding by leading the organization's fundraising strategy, cultivating donor relationships, and advancing strategic fundraising initiatives.

• Provide the Board of Directors with regular updates on regional revenue and expenditure.

People Leadership & Organizational Development:

• Determine staffing needs to support organizational goals and program delivery.

• Oversee implementation of HR policies, procedures, and job descriptions.

• Lead onboarding and training for new team members.

• Assign responsibilities and delegate tasks across the team.

• Communicate organizational policies clearly to staff.

• Direct staff and volunteers toward relevant professional development opportunities.

• Conduct regular performance evaluations and make recommendations on compensation, promotion, or disciplinary action.

• Develop job descriptions and lead hiring processes as needed.

• Collaborate with regional leadership counterparts across the wider geography.

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight:

• Shape the country-level vision in conjunction with senior leadership.

• Guide long-term strategy development and oversee annual program activity in line with organizational mandate and the regional context.

• Develop strategies, budgets, media plans, government-relations components, and fundraising opportunities for each program area, in partnership with relevant teams.

• Develop and lead the in-country fundraising strategy in coordination with the global advancement/development function.

• Develop key messaging for campaigns and programs that reflects organizational values and local context.

• Build and sustain coalitions with local and regional partner organizations.

• Report to the Board of Directors on progress against strategic objectives.

Communications, Media & Brand Management:

• Design and implement public relations strategies aligned with the organization's overall vision.

• Participate in editorial engagements and maintain relationships with relevant journalists and media contacts.

• Act as the organization's principal spokesperson to the media and the public in India and the region.

• Guide staff, contractors, and volunteers on representing the organization's mandate to external audiences.

• Regularly review messaging and communications to strengthen the organization's public image.

• Ensure all publications follow organizational design and branding standards.

External Relations, Governance & Compliance:

• Serve as the organization's principal representative in legal matters.

• Establish and attend meetings with institutional and government stakeholders to advance relevant policies and initiatives.

• Maintain ongoing relationships with regional sector partners and lead collaborative strategic planning efforts.

• Ensure offices and programs operate in compliance with all applicable national and local laws.

• Ensure compliance with the Companies Act, 2013 and related statutory obligations applicable to Directors in India.

• Ensure internal policies and procedures are consistently enforced, including compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act.

• Implement Board policies and directives.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• A graduate degree or equivalent professional experience is required.

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the nonprofit sector, fundraising, or a related mission-driven field.

• Demonstrated management experience, including leadership of staff, strategy development and execution, and budget and fiscal accountability.

• A track record of team leadership and successful campaign or program management is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and financial systems is strongly preferred.

• A strong public relations background with substantial media experience is strongly preferred.

• An established network of contacts across the relevant sector, media, and government/institutional stakeholders is strongly preferred.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of fundraising approaches, including direct mail, online marketing, and major gift solicitation, is strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of Indian institutional, governmental, and legislative processes.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Sound knowledge of business operations, including budget development and financial management.

• Ability to build and sustain relationships grounded in trust, respect, tact, diplomacy, and discretion.

• Demonstrated understanding of people-management practices, with the ability to set clear accountabilities and manage performance toward results.

• A high degree of confidence, integrity, interpersonal skill, and executive presence, for engaging and influencing both internal and external stakeholders, facilitating meetings, and public speaking.

• Strong familiarity with the relevant sector and its priorities.

• Strong analytical and strategic planning capability.

• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, both domestically and internationally.

• Strong computer literacy.

• Sound financial/accounting acumen.

• Ability to multitask effectively and perform well under pressure.

Originally posted on Himalayas