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.

The Role:
We are looking for an experienced professional to lead the vision, strategy, and management of ISDM’s admissions function, working to build a purpose-driven admissions ecosystem that attracts high-quality applicants, strengthens ISDM’s brand positioning, and ensures a seamless experience from first contact to onboarding. This is a mission-critical leadership role that requires a strategic thinker and hands-on executor—someone who can operate at both the vision and detail level.

The ideal candidate will bring an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong ability to build and scale functions in a dynamic environment. We’re looking for a leader who can inspire and engage diverse stakeholders, from prospective applicants and internal teams to senior leaders and external partners. The role also demands a sales-oriented, target-driven approach, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to balance creativity with systems thinking—all while thriving under pressure and building a high-performing team.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Define and implement the strategic direction for admissions aligned with ISDM’s mission and growth goals.
  • Study the admissions processes of other relevant institutions and fellowships, and recommend a contextually appropriate model for ISDM.
  • Build a robust, end-to-end admissions roadmap—from first contact to onboarding—with seamless applicant experience across all touchpoints.
  • Use data and insights to segment target audiences, refine messaging, and optimize conversions across platforms.
  • Lead the design and continual refinement of admissions policies, templates, and evaluation rubrics.
  • Oversee content strategy across the website, social media, email campaigns, and webinars to support the admissions funnel.
  • Design and monitor digital ad campaigns to drive high-quality leads for ISDM’s PGP program.
  • Represent ISDM at national forums, student fairs, and outreach events to enhance visibility and positioning.
  • Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing admissions and counselling team.
  • Establish robust MIS and dashboards to track lead flow, conversion ratios, applicant profiles, and team performance.
  • Collaborate closely with Academic, Placements, and other teams to ensure smooth onboarding of each cohort.
  • Co-create digital campaigns and storytelling strategies with the Marketing team to attract diverse and mission-aligned applicants.
  • Design structured counselling journeys that increase applicant satisfaction and conversion.
  • Manage budgeting, financials, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective and efficient admissions operations.
  • Present regular insights, reports, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Adopt an entrepreneurial, outcome-focused mindset with accountability for achieving admissions targets.
  • Effectively engage stakeholders across age and experience—from senior decision-makers to youth aspirants—with clarity and empathy.
  • Combine systems thinking with creativity to develop scalable and human-centred processes.
  • Work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.


Experience & Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Education, Communication, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.
  • Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in admissions, outreach, or sales, with at least 8 years in a managerial capacity.
  • Proven track record in scaling high-touch admissions or outreach systems using digital tools and performance-driven strategies.
  • Demonstrated experience in sales or customer acquisition with a target-oriented approach to conversions.
  • Deep knowledge of digital marketing tools, audience segmentation, SEO, content strategy, CRM systems, lead nurturing platforms, and analytics.
  • Strong ability to link big-picture strategy with ground-level execution and planning.
  • Excellent team leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
  • Self-driven, resilient, and comfortable navigating ambiguity and pressure.
  • Creative problem-solver with a disciplined, systematic approach to operations.

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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