Associate Director - Communication

One of India’s biggest challenges is providing quality education to its 240 million children. The scale and complexity of education in India demands that the brightest talent engage in finding solutions.

Our client, a philantropic fund, seeks to achieve transformational standards of educational excellence for children in disadvantaged communities in India. They support exceptional social entrepreneurs with powerful ideas, provide a platform for the sharing of innovation, and find policy solutions to enable sustained change.

Position Summary:

- The Associate Director will plan, direct, implement, manage and control the organisation's communication strategies to enhance the reputation of the organisation and visibility of the education field.

- The Associate Director will develop short and long-term plans and budgets for the communications strategy and its activities; monitor progress, assure adherence and evaluate performance.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Responsible for creating, implementing and measuring the success of a comprehensive marketing, communications and public relations program that will enhance the organisation's image and position both internally and externally

- Contribute expertise in areas of media engagement and public outreach in terms of the organisation's overall mission and strategic plans

- Review the organisation's work and research regularly in order to identify possible stories, then undertake proactive media engagement, including writing press releases, opinion editorials and pitching feature articles

- Responsible for editorial direction, design, production and distribution of all publications

- Develop internal publications such as newsletters, releases, email announcements, planned publications, on-line, intranet, video, special projects and assignments

- Coordinate and manage all outreach events like workshops, conferences

- Build relationships and contacts with relevant print, broadcast and online journalists to represent the organisation

- Develop new and creative communication streams, including podcasts and videos

- Develop, plan and participate in marketing and media networking events

Required qualifications, skills and abilities:

- Passion for working in the development sector

- Masters degree or equivalent in a relevant field

- 12-15 years of experience, with at least 8-10 years of experience in marketing and/or public relations for a non-profit or commercial organisation (e.g. think tank, industry body, advertising agency, public relations firm, media house etc.) and bring strong, established relationships with media organisations, editors and reporters.

- Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in the design and execution of marketing, communications and public relations activities

- Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organisational and personal sales skills

- Exceptional written communications skills, with ability to adapt style to suit different communications media and audiences

- Familiarity with education policy issues

- Spoken and written fluency in English and Hindi

Desired Qualities:

- A belief that all children, regardless of their family's social-economic background can achieve at the highest levels

- High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels

- Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives

- Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to "manage by influence"

- High level of organisation and attention to detail