About ISDM

The Indian School of Development Management pioneers a transformative approach to management, envisioning a world that is just, equitable, and sustainable. Established in 2016, it serves as a foundational hub for cultivating a robust ecosystem and a cadre of skilled professionals dedicated to advancing social change globally.


Driven by the conviction that the social sector plays a pivotal role in addressing humanity's most pressing challenges, the school operates on the premise that effective management is essential for achieving significant impact. By nurturing talent in Development Management tailored to the unique needs of the social sector, the school aims to catalyze sustainable socio-economic and ecological progress on a large scale.


Recognizing the power of institutions to shape professional ecosystems, the school aims to establish itself as a beacon of excellence in higher education. Through this, it seeks to lay the groundwork for a thriving community of practitioners dedicated to driving positive change in society.


Over the years, Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) has garnered validation, support, and funding from esteemed individuals and organizations. While numerous programs worldwide aim to cultivate management capabilities for the social sector, they often reside within larger university ecosystems or business schools, where they may receive lesser attention compared to mainstream programs. ISDM stands out as the sole institution globally dedicated to fostering a comprehensive ecosystem for Development Management, focusing on pioneering work in critical areas.


ISDM's initiatives encompass:

1. Knowledge Creation: Establishing a Global Knowledge Hub to create, disseminate, and institutionalize contextual knowledge on building, leading, and managing social purpose organizations, networks, and platforms.

2. Talent Nurturing: Offering the Post Graduate Program in Development Management (PGP-DM) to attract and develop top-tier talent capable of addressing management challenges within the sector.

3. Capacity Building: Providing Strategic Capacity Building programs to enhance individual and institutional capacities in development management, thereby fostering sustainable and scalable social impact.


ISDM has successfully completed its Proof of Concept Phase and is now set for expansion over the next five years. Key achievements include high placement rates for its PGP-DM graduates and plans for increased batch sizes, a new campus, international partnerships, and accreditation. The institute is also conducting research and establishing Centers of Excellence in various areas of social impact. Additionally, it offers programs for professionals and resources for grassroots organizations. Know More at www.isdm.org.in . 


ISDM invites individuals who share its vision to join in creating a dynamic, catalytic ecosystem and positioning India as a thought leader in Development Management, ultimately enabling sustainable social impact at scale.


ISDM Global Knowledge Hub (GKH)

The Centres of Excellence are housed within the Global Knowledge Hub, whose role is to strengthen, from end-to-end, the knowledge and practice of Development Management. GKH does this by collating and curating global experiences and knowledge, conducting in-depth research and producing knowledge assets and resources, collaborating to design products and programs for a wide range of target segments that impact the practice of Development Management and disseminating knowledge as a public good through like-minded individuals and institutions globally.


The Role

Are you someone with a passion for redefining how the world solves its most pressing challenges? Ready to lead the charge in bringing in more private capital into the social sector that drives greater impact? This is your chance to shape the future with ISDM’s Centre for Innovative Finance and Social Impact—a first-of-its-kind Centre of Excellence.


About the Centre for Innovative Finance and Social Impact

  • Aims to enable more private capital to flow into the social sector to provide the catalytic capital required to bridge the funding gap and lead to a more just and humane society, by mainstreaming innovative methods of financing that drive greater social impact
  • Aims to become a leading voice in the ecosystem for a rational, objective view on innovative finance and impact while also driving the thinking on innovation and the future of these areas
  • Will create a shared vision, vocabulary and metrics for innovative finance and impact measurement and empower the innovative finance ecosystem with access to evidence-backed knowledge base and cutting-edge knowledge infrastructure that drive better practices.


Why Join Us?

  • As a part of our Centre of Excellence, you get to:
  • Drive cutting-edge thinking in innovative finance and how impact is driven and measured.
  • Build a shared vision for impactful change in the social purpose ecosystem.
  • Empower changemakers with evidence-based insights and world-class knowledge infrastructure.
  • All while working with a dynamic, passionate team that values justice, courage, compassion, and equity.
  • Work in a dynamic environment, with room for experimentation & high sense of ownership & accountability.

We’re not just looking for a professional. We’re looking for a trailblazer, someone who sees challenges as opportunities to create something extraordinary. 


Key Responsibilities:

As the Centre Lead for the Centre of Innovative Finance and Social Impact, you will:

  • Set the Vision: Collaborate with the Global Knowledge Hub (GKH) and ISDM leadership to craft an inspiring vision, clear objectives, and actionable goals for the Centre. Transform these into an annual Strategic Operating Plan (SOP) that guides the Centre’s work.
  • Deliver Excellence: Take ownership of executing the SOP with precision, within budgets and timelines. You’ll ensure every project makes a tangible impact.
  • Master the Numbers: Lead budgeting, track spending, and maintain fiscal discipline, keeping the Centre financially healthy and impactful.
  • Be the Voice: Amplify the Centre’s work through strategic dissemination, outreach, and stakeholder engagement. Build its visibility and influence in the ecosystem.
  • Governance Champion: Oversee and strengthen the Centre’s governance process, working closely with the Advisory Council to ensure alignment and effectiveness.
  • Build Relationships That Matter: Be the key liaison for funders, advisors, academic leaders, and external partners. Create lasting partnerships that drive innovation and collaboration, and bring cutting-edge ideas to life.
  • Innovate & Fundraise: Collaborate with the Fundraising team to secure resources that fuel the Centre’s mission.
  • Build a Dream Team: Identify the skills, resources, and expertise needed for the Centre to thrive. Hire, lead, and nurture a high-performing, motivated team that shares your passion for impact.


Qualifications Required:

  • 12–18 years of experience in social or innovative finance, or the social sector, with thorough understanding of finance & impact and with a deep passion for making a difference.
  • Post-graduate or equivalent in Management Studies/Finance/Economics/Social Sciences, or related fields.
  • Stellar verbal and written communication skills.
  • A proven track record of navigating complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
  • A collaborative spirit paired with strong ownership and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience leading high-performing teams and delivering results that matter.


Remuneration for this role will be commensurate with qualifications & experience. To learn more about us and apply, check out isdm.org.in/careers.


ISDM is an equal-opportunity organization with a particular emphasis on affirmative action. The culture of the organization is one of professionalism while also one that greatly values relationships.

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