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.
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