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:
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.
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.
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 PGP-DM graduates and plans for increased batch sizes, a new campus, international partnerships, and accreditation. The institute is also researching and establishing Centers of Excellence in various social impact areas. Additionally, it offers programs for professionals and resources for grassroots organisations. 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.
Job Description
The Executive Secretary – Founder’s Office provides high-level executive and administrative support to the Founder and plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Founder’s Office. This position serves as a central coordination point for the Founder’s schedule, meetings, travel, and key priorities, while also supporting the leadership team in administrative coordination as needed.
This role requires exceptional organisational ability, discretion, sound judgment, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities seamlessly. The ideal candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of handling sensitive matters with professionalism and confidentiality.
Key Responsibility Areas:
Executive Support to the Founder
Manage the Founder’s calendar, appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements efficiently.
Coordinate day-to-day administrative activities for the Founder’s Office to ensure smooth operations.
Prepare correspondence, presentations, reports, meeting briefs, and other documentation on behalf of the Founder.
Maintain confidential records, files, databases, and contact lists with discretion and accuracy.
Track action items arising from meetings and ensure timely follow-up on commitments.
Leadership Team Coordination
Support members of the leadership team in scheduling meetings, coordinating calendars, and arranging travel logistics when required.
Assist in organising leadership meetings, retreats, and planning sessions, ensuring seamless logistics and documentation.
Coordinate meeting schedules across multiple stakeholders to ensure efficient time management.
Meeting and Stakeholder Management
Organise and coordinate board meetings, leadership meetings, and strategic review sessions involving the Founder.
Prepare agendas, compile and circulate meeting materials, and record minutes where required.
Liaise with board members, senior leaders, partners, and external stakeholders on behalf of the Founder’s Office.
Support logistics and preparation for external engagements, events, and speaking commitments involving the Founder.
Administrative Coordination
Work closely with the administration team on travel bookings, hospitality arrangements, meeting logistics, and office requirements linked to the Founder’s Office.
Support coordination of institutional events, including planning logistics, scheduling, and administrative arrangements for leadership participation and organisational requirements.
Help streamline office processes to improve efficiency in executive office operations.
Educational & Experience Required:
3–5 years of relevant experience in executive assistance, executive secretarial, or senior administrative support roles, preferably supporting senior leadership.
Prior experience in nonprofit, education, or social sector organisations is an advantage.
Skills and Competencies
Strong organisational and multitasking skills with excellent attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
High degree of confidentiality, discretion, and professional maturity.
Ability to manage ambiguity and changing priorities effectively.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse senior stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, presentation tools, and digital collaboration platforms.
Strong coordination, follow-through, and problem-solving capability.
Ability to remain composed under pressure in fast-paced environments.
Personal Attributes
Proactive and highly dependable.
Resourceful and solution-oriented.
Professional, composed, and adaptable.
Collaborative with strong relationship-building skills.
High integrity and sound judgment.
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.
