Executive Director - Legal Expertise & Social Impact Leadership

Location: India

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Executive Director - Legal Expertise & Social Impact Leadership based in India.

The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership to an established, mission-driven organization working across multiple geographies.
Combining strong legal expertise with a deep commitment to social impact, you will help shape long-term strategy and strengthen institutional capabilities.
Working closely with the Board, CEO, and senior leadership team, you will guide organizational priorities, develop programmes, and support sustainable growth.
You will also lead fundraising initiatives, cultivate relationships with institutional donors and philanthropic partners, and identify new opportunities for impact.
Through effective people leadership and external engagement, you will strengthen organizational performance, visibility, and partnerships.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an entrepreneurial and purpose-driven professional ready to translate a compelling vision into measurable social change.

Accountabilities:

As Executive Director, you will oversee organizational strategy, institutional development, fundraising, and external engagement. You will ensure that teams, resources, and partnerships are aligned with the organization's mission and long-term objectives.

• Define strategic priorities and translate the organization's mission into actionable plans and measurable objectives.

• Work closely with the Board, CEO, and leadership team to guide organizational direction and support effective governance.

• Lead teams across multiple geographies, ensuring clear priorities, effective collaboration, and strong performance.

• Make strategic resource-allocation decisions and strengthen organizational structures, systems, and capabilities.

• Identify emerging opportunities, connect relevant stakeholders and resources, and develop initiatives aligned with the organization's broader goals.

• Lead fundraising strategies across multiple channels, building sustainable relationships with donors, foundations, institutional funders, and individual philanthropists.

• Develop new funding opportunities and revenue streams to support long-term financial sustainability.

• Strengthen leadership and management capabilities, develop high-performing teams, and foster a culture of accountability and collaboration.

• Represent the organization in external forums and build strategic relationships that support long-term partnerships and funding.

• Communicate the organization's mission, programmes, and impact through compelling storytelling and effective stakeholder engagement.

• Strengthen organizational visibility and communications across relevant networks and geographies.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate is a senior leader with a strong legal background, substantial experience in the social impact sector, and a proven ability to build organizations and mobilize resources. You should combine strategic thinking and sound judgment with an inclusive, people-centered leadership approach.

• Formal legal qualification and substantial professional experience in law, human rights, access to justice, or a related field.

• At least 15 years of professional experience, including significant organizational leadership responsibilities.

• Strong understanding of the social impact sector and the challenges facing mission-driven organizations.

• Demonstrated experience building donor relationships, mobilizing resources, and developing new funding opportunities.

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage priorities across different functions or geographies.

• Experience strengthening organizational capabilities, developing leadership talent, and improving institutional effectiveness.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders.

• Entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to identify opportunities, turn ideas into practical initiatives, and deliver results.

• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, including the confidence to make difficult decisions while remaining receptive to feedback and new perspectives.

• People-centered leadership style that encourages collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

• Experience working internationally and engaging with diverse stakeholder groups is an advantage.

Benefits:

• Flexible location, with the opportunity to work across different geographies.

• International travel as required by the role.

• Opportunity to shape the strategy and long-term development of an established, mission-driven organization.

• Senior leadership position with direct engagement with the Board, CEO, and leadership team.

• Opportunity to build strategic partnerships with foundations, institutional funders, and philanthropists.

• Meaningful opportunity to contribute to human rights, access to justice, and broader social impact initiatives.

How Jobgether works:

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

 Why Apply Through Jobgether? 

Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

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