Head - The Heritage Project

Job Role: Program Lead The Heritage Project

Location: Worli, Mumbai

Position Type: Full-time

Job Summary:

The Program Lead - The Heritage Project will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing the end-to-end development and implementation of heritage restoration, revival, and conservation initiatives. The role will drive program design, stakeholder engagement, partnerships, advocacy, and policy dialogue while ensuring effective project execution and measurable impact. The individual will work closely with government agencies, conservation experts, community stakeholders, and national and international institutions to strengthen heritage ecosystems, incorporate global best practices, and position the Foundation as a leading contributor to the heritage conservation sector.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision: Define and drive the long-term strategy for The Heritage Project in alignment with the Foundation's mission and priorities. Identify emerging opportunities in heritage conservation, cultural revival, and sustainable heritage management. Develop a multi-year roadmap for preservation, restoration, research, and community engagement initiatives. Position the Foundation as a thought leader in the heritage conservation ecosystem.

Program Development & Portfolio Management: Lead the conceptualization, evaluation, and selection of heritage projects and initiatives. Establish frameworks for project prioritization, impact assessment, sustainability, and scalability. Oversee the end-to-end delivery of the heritage portfolio, ensuring quality, timeliness, and measurable outcomes. Drive innovation by integrating technology, research, and global best practices into heritage interventions.

Advocacy, Policy & Sector Influence: Track and analyse developments in heritage conservation policies, regulations, and funding frameworks at national and international levels. Build relationships with policymakers, government institutions, cultural bodies, and sector experts to advance heritage conservation priorities. Contribute to policy consultations, working groups, and sector-wide initiatives focused on heritage preservation and cultural sustainability. Develop position papers, knowledge resources, and recommendations to strengthen heritage policy and practice. Represent the Foundation at conferences, forums, and national and international platforms related to heritage conservation and cultural development.

Global Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange: Establish collaborations with national and international heritage organizations, museums, universities, foundations, and conservation experts. Bring global perspectives, innovative approaches, and best practices in heritage preservation to local contexts. Facilitate cross-learning opportunities and knowledge-sharing platforms that strengthen sector capabilities. Build relationships with international agencies, cultural institutions, and heritage networks.

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Development: Lead engagement with government agencies, conservation architects, historians, researchers, NGOs, corporate partners, and community groups. Build multi-stakeholder coalitions that support the preservation and revitalization of heritage assets. Strengthen community ownership and participation in heritage conservation efforts. Develop strategic partnerships that enhance project impact, visibility, and sustainability.

Resource Mobilization & Fund Development: Identify opportunities for institutional funding, grants, CSR partnerships, and philanthropic support. Develop proposals and strategic pitches to attract funding and partnerships. Cultivate relationships with donors, funding agencies, and strategic partners. Support the development of sustainable funding models for heritage initiatives.

Governance, Risk & Quality Management: Establish governance mechanisms and program management processes for heritage projects. Monitor program performance, risks, compliance requirements, and mitigation strategies. Ensure all heritage interventions adhere to conservation principles, regulatory requirements, and quality standards. Promote transparency, accountability, and effective reporting mechanisms.

Impact Measurement & Knowledge Management: Develop frameworks for measuring social, cultural, environmental, and community impact. Lead documentation of project learnings, case studies, and best practices. Facilitate knowledge creation and dissemination within the organization and across the sector. Drive evidence-based decision-making through research and impact insights.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development: Lead and mentor project teams, consultants, and partners involved in heritage initiatives. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Build internal capabilities in heritage conservation, project management, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Master's degree or equivalent qualification in any of the below mentioned fields;

Heritage Conservation, Architecture, Urban Planning, Cultural Studies, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Management, or related disciplines.

• 10-15 years of progressive experience in heritage conservation, cultural development, social impact, philanthropy, CSR, or allied sectors.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing and implementing complex, multi-stakeholder programs.

Added Advantage: Experience working with government institutions, policy bodies, cultural organizations, museums, archives, or international heritage agencies. Understanding of heritage legislation, conservation frameworks, cultural governance, and public policy processes. Exposure to UNESCO-linked initiatives, heritage management programs, or international conservation networks. Experience in advocacy, policy engagement, and ecosystem-building initiatives.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership & Visioning
• Public Policy & Advocacy
• Government & Institutional Relations
• Program Design and Portfolio Management
• Global Perspective & Sector Knowledge
• Partnership Development & Coalition Building
• Resource Mobilization & Fundraising
• Research, Analysis & Thought Leadership
• Impact Measurement & Learning
• Financial Stewardship & Change Management
• Team Leadership & Talent Development
• Communication, Representation & Influence

Ideal Candidate Profile

A seasoned leader with a passion for cultural preservation and heritage revival, possessing the ability to bridge conservation practice, community engagement, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of both local heritage contexts and global heritage conservation practices and can shape sector-level impact while delivering high-quality programs on the ground.

What We Offer:

An opportunity to work at the forefront. Collaborative work culture with experts, youth leaders, and global networks. Opportunity to contribute in designing and implementation of transformative solutions.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and interest in the position to [[email removed]].

RPG Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. This job description is a general guideline and may be subject to change based on organizational needs.