Samhita - Director - CSR Consulting

Organisation Overview (Samhita.org)

Samhita is a social impact consulting firm, with a vision to build a 'better normal'. The better normal reimagines business environments where social value is an integral aspect of growth, putting stakeholders and environmental guardianship at the center of business strategy, a strategy that evolves from inputs to outcomes, from individuals to ecosystem, and from delivering services to building capacity and enabling the market.

To do this, we support companies to align their core competencies with the needs of the social sector, and build catalytic partnerships with stakeholders with in-depth knowledge and networks to execute sustainable, outcome-oriented social impact initiatives. This approach bridges the gap between purpose and action, and forges business responsibility strategies that balance people, pro- t and planet, thereby creating a better normal for communities, environments and businesses.

Role Overview

We create customized CSR strategies aligned with our client company's values, expertise, products and long-term vision and drive effective implementation leading to long-lasting change.

Our CSR Consulting practice has facilitated over 50 leading companies to understand their CSR needs, shape CSR strategy, manage program implementation, facilitate partnerships between companies and social enterprises and assess on-the-ground impact of such initiatives.

Samhita works across the spectrum of sectors and industries with a wide range of companies like Godrej Consumer Products Limited, HSBC, Arvind limited, MasterCard, S&P Global, Hindustan Unilever, RBL, IKEA India, Pernod Richard India Foundation, HDFC Capital among others. CSR Consulting is our core offering and we want to further expand our portfolio in the space.

The CSR Consulting Director will partner with the CEO to set strategic direction for Samhita's CSR consulting business and look to develop a world class team under him/her that can deliver 50%+ revenue growth year-on-year while proportionately increasing margin.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Consulting Practice

a. The Director will be responsible for acquiring new large Clients and Partners for Samhita offering in line with the CSR business strategic and revenue objective. Will leverage existing industry knowledge and relationship to close profitable revenue opportunities.

b. Develop and drive the Consulting strategy of Samhita pan India, meet and exceed targets in terms of revenue and profitability

c. Drive thought leadership in the sector - establish Samhita as the pre-eminent consulting partner for CSR

d. Develop and manage the operations of the CSR Strategy & Project Management, and be accountable for driving performance efficiency, tracking team expenditure and overall achievement of all sub-team targets and key deliverables

e. Oversee and manage cross-team projects for Clients, ensuring its timely completion and delivery at a quality consistent with Samhita standards

f. Oversee building of robust programs for each Client with support from other teams keeping in view their current needs, their long term vision and opportunities in the sector

g. Directly manage and execute corporate relationships and programs, continuously identifying new avenues for clients to maintain and grow their CSR portfolios

h. Oversee the end-to-end Client engagement process including identification of partnership opportunities, being lead presenter at marquee Client meetings, putting together detailed proposals and closing opportunities

2. Internal Capacity Building

a. Build and execute the strategy to grow the consulting business line at 50% per annum while proportionately increasing margins

b. Design the organization of the future - recruit top talent, design variable-centred compensation, institute required management processes and coach and empower leadership team

c. Have and institute the highest standards of client impact and client service - be a role model and mentor on these dimensions

d. Build, amplify and make culture a key value proposition for recruitment and retention

e. Develop an internal knowledge creation engine and become the supplier of choice for the Knowledge business line

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

We are looking for someone who is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers, with high energy levels, and who naturally builds relationships. Candidate should be result oriented with a strong sense of ownership.

1. 18+ years of work experience preferably in Consulting, Advisory fields. At least 5 years of leadership experience - background in managing and mentoring multi-functional teams, working under pressure, taking data-based decisions, building teams and organizations.

2. Strong expertise in managing relationships, networks and teams that include a diverse group of people representative of the public and private sectors, community-based organizations, nonprofit and civic leadership as well as program beneficiaries.

3. Entrepreneurial and proven effectiveness in driving complex multi-stakeholder planning processes and cross-team projects to desired results.

4. Excellent communication skills and the ability to distil complex information into simple messages and concise communication materials, tailored for the audience.

5. Business consulting and strategy experience with the ability to prioritize amidst various / sometimes conflicting priorities. Adept at scoping out length and difficulty of tasks and projects

6. Ability to quickly develop both an intuitive and data-backed view of customers' needs and how to meet those needs

7. Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change with a structured and analytical approach to solving problems.

8. Team player who can work effectively with peers and the management

9. Experience and exposure to strategy, CSR and private foundations would be a definite advantage. Passion for the development sector and the communities we serve is a must

10. Strong experience of working with senior leaders with the ability to generate and communicate unique value propositions

11. Inspirational leader who can motivate and energize teams and clients

12. Experience in independently managing a business line with end-to-end responsibility is preferred.

Work Location: Mumbai

Why Samhita?

- Make a big difference: Take, Own and implement.

- Leadership: This is the perfect opportunity to go beyond traditional roles and lead cutting edge Management and Research strategies. The candidate shall work alongside the brightest minds, in an environment that fosters growth and creativity

- Impact: Working with Samhita will provide you with an opportunity to bring about a positive change in the lives of millions

- Work Culture: Samhita has a team of young, hard-working, and dynamic individuals who strive for excellence while maintaining a humble outlook. Our work has been strengthened and supported by international and domestic donor agencies and foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Tata Trusts, GIZ, DFID, the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, UNDP and the Power of Nutrition.