Executive Director

Aspire India, Executive Director

Location: India

Employment Type: Full time

Reporting to: Board of Directors

While the Executive Director (India) reports to the Board of Directors, the role will also work in close partnership with Aspire Institute’s Global CEO and global team. The ED will engage in regular check-ins and ensure alignment on organisational goals and priorities, and share timely updates on progress, risks, and resource needs to support Aspire’s mission and standards at scale.

About Aspire India

Aspire works to identify and support high potential first generation and low-income college students across India. Through fully funded leadership development programs, mentorship, and access to global peer networks, Aspire equips young leaders with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to create positive change in their communities. Aspire India is part of the Aspire Leaders Program, founded by Harvard University faculty, and is committed to expanding equitable access to leadership development at scale.

Role Overview

The Executive Director role is a builder role suited for a leader who has scaled a mission driven organisation and can operate effectively across strategy, execution, and external stakeholder engagement. The role requires the ability to move seamlessly between field level realities and board level conversations, with full ownership of growth, fundraising, team leadership, and organisational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and Execution for Expansion

Own the India growth strategy and translate long term priorities into clear quarterly plans and on the ground execution. Lead expansion with a builder mindset focused on scale, quality, and sustainability.

• Fundraising

Serve as the primary driver of revenue growth for the organisation. Build and manage the fundraising pipeline and personally lead donor outreach, pitches, negotiations, and closures with high-net-worth individuals, corporate and CSR partners, and institutional funders.

• Donor and Partner Management

Steward key donor and partner relationships to ensure strong retention and funding growth. Oversee renewals, ensure high quality reporting, and maintain strong donor satisfaction, trust, and long-term partnerships.

• Financial Stewardship, Grants, and Compliance

Own organisational budgeting and forecasting. Ensure strong financial controls, effective CSR and grant management, and full statutory and regulatory compliance.

• Team Leadership and Performance Management

Build, lead, and manage a high accountability team across headquarters and regional operations. Oversee hiring, coaching, goal setting, performance reviews, operating cadence, and organisational culture.

• KPI Discipline and Reporting

Define, track, and use key performance indicators to guide decision making, assess progress, course correct when needed, and report clearly to the Board and other stakeholders.

• Digital Program Delivery

Ensure high quality delivery of online and technology enabled programs. Demonstrate comfort with learning platforms, learning management systems, virtual delivery tools, basic data dashboards, and coordination with vendors and technology partners to troubleshoot issues and improve learner experience.

• External Representation

Represent the organisation externally with government stakeholders, partners, media, and at various forums.

• Board Engagement

Partner closely with the Board on strategy, performance review, governance, and long-term planning

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate brings 10 to 15 years of leadership experience in scaling mission driven organisations, with demonstrated success in fundraising, team leadership, and operational execution. The candidate should be equally comfortable leading strategy, managing complexity, and engaging with donors, partners, staff, and board members, while remaining grounded in program realities.