About ISDM
The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) is a pioneering management school dedicated to strengthening leadership and management in social development work, producing the future CEOs and founders of impactful social purpose organizations. Since 2016, ISDM has worked across three strategic pillars: preparing talent, influencing practice, and building knowledge for Development Management.
With the rapid growth of India's economy and the rapid growth of development capital in the country, there is a huge opportunity to make a difference to over a billion people over the next couple of decades. However, this burgeoning development capital will need high-quality leadership and management talent to translate this possibility into real impact - talent that understands the complex nature of society and the complexities of driving social change, that can design interventions within these complexities, and that has the knowledge and skills to build and lead development organizations and translate their work into deep, sustained impact at scale.
Development Management needs to bring the head, heart, and hand together to engage with diverse communities, build on their agency, work with limited resources and divergent societal aspirations, and move towards a shared vision of a desirable society. India needs Development Management talent and capabilities across the Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar to translate this opportunity into reality on the ground, transforming the lives of over a billion people in the country, and eventually offering this discipline to countries across the Global South.
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. Know more at www.isdm.org.in.
About the Role
At ISDM, we believe that meaningful careers begin with informed choices and the right guidance. We are looking for a dynamic, empathetic, and solution-oriented Career Navigator who can recognize individual potential, connect skills with opportunities, and guide students towards purposeful careers in the development and social-impact sector. The role involves personalised student advisory, competency assessment, career mapping, and placement facilitation, supported by strong communication, analytical thinking, and a structured, outcome-oriented approach.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
- Student Advisory & Engagement: Understand students' academic backgrounds, professional experiences, strengths, and aspirations to provide personalized educational and career guidance.
- Assessment & Skill Mapping: Evaluate student competencies, identify skill gaps, and map individual profiles against relevant career pathways, organizations, and placement opportunities.
- Career Development & Placement Support: Guide students through career exploration, profile positioning, interview preparation, and the placement journey, providing consistent feedback and follow-up.
- Strategic Opportunity Mapping: Think beyond conventional pathways to identify creative, relevant, and emerging career opportunities aligned with students' potential and the needs of the development sector.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinate with internal teams, recruiters, and placement partners to align student capabilities with organizational expectations and available opportunities.
- Framework & Process Development: Create structured assessment tools, career-guidance frameworks, standardized pitching scripts, and advisory processes to enhance consistency and effectiveness.
- Student Progress & Problem-Solving: Monitor progress, address challenges, navigate difficult situations, and provide actionable guidance that strengthens student confidence and career readiness.
Essential Skills & Competencies
- Communication & Active Listening: Build trust, understand individual perspectives, and communicate with clarity and confidence.
- Analytical Thinking: Assess diverse profiles, recognize transferable skills, and make informed recommendations.
- Creative & Strategic Thinking: Explore unconventional possibilities and identify opportunities beyond obvious career choices.
- Career Mapping & Mentoring: Connect individual strengths and aspirations with suitable roles, while providing constructive and personalized guidance.
- Stakeholder Management: Build effective relationships and coordinate seamlessly with students, teams, and external partners.
- Structured Thinking: Develop practical frameworks, standardized scripts, and systematic approaches to advisory and placement processes.
- Adaptability & Ownership: Navigate ambiguity, handle challenging situations, and remain proactive, flexible, and focused on outcomes
Preferred Profile
Experience in career advisory, admissions, student engagement, recruitment, talent development, or placement management is desirable. Familiarity with the development sector and social-impact careers would be an advantage.
What Success Looks Like
Enabling informed educational choices, unlocking individual potential, strengthening career readiness, and connecting students with meaningful professional opportunities. The essence of this role is to see potential beyond a profile, possibilities beyond conventional pathways, and help students build purposeful careers.
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.