Lead, Social Impact & Partnerships

Job Description: Lead, Social Impact & Partnerships

Location: Delhi

Organisation: Pearl Academy

Reporting to: President , Pearl Academy

Function: Social Impact, Strategic Partnerships

Role Purpose

Pearl Academy is seeking a passionate and execution-oriented Lead, Social Impact & Partnerships to define and drive the institutions social impact agenda. The role will build initiatives that leverage Pearl Academys strengths in design, fashion, media, business, technology and entrepreneurship to create measurable social value. The

incumbent will work closely with academic leaders, faculty, students, industry partners, NGOs, government bodies and communities to develop partnerships and programmes that are meaningful, scalable and aligned with Pearl Academys institutional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Social Impact Strategy

• Develop Pearl Academys social impact strategy, annual roadmap and measurable goals.
• Identify focus areas where Pearls academic and creative capabilities can create meaningful impact, including sustainability, inclusion, livelihoods, crafts, community development and responsible entrepreneurship.
• Integrate social impact into institutional priorities, student engagement and selected academic initiatives.
• Establish a clear governance and review mechanism for social impact programmes.

Programme Development and Execution

• Design and implement high-impact projects involving students, faculty, alumni and external partners.
• Build opportunities such as community-based design projects, craft and artisan collaborations, sustainability initiatives, skill-development programmes, social innovation challenges and pro bono creative interventions.
• Manage programmes from concept and budgeting to execution, monitoring and closure.
• Ensure initiatives move beyond one-time activities and deliver measurable, sustained outcomes.

Partnerships and Ecosystem Building

• Identify and build partnerships with NGOs, foundations, government agencies, industry bodies, corporates, social enterprises and international institutions.
• Develop proposals and partnership models aligned with the interests of both Pearl Academy and its partners.
• Explore opportunities for grants, sponsorships, CSR-supported programmes and institutional collaborations.
• Represent Pearl Academy at relevant forums, conferences and stakeholder meetings.

Student and Faculty Engagement

• Create platforms that enable students and faculty to participate meaningfully in social impact initiatives.
• Work with academic teams to identify opportunities for live projects, research, capstones and community immersion.
• Build a network of faculty and student champions across campuses.
• Encourage socially responsible design, innovation and entrepreneurship within the Pearl community.

Impact Measurement and Communication

• Define programme-level indicators and develop a framework for measuring social, educational and community outcomes.
• Track participation, reach, outcomes, partnerships and stakeholder feedback.
• Prepare periodic reports and impact narratives for senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Work with marketing and communications teams to showcase impact credibly, without reducing it to publicity-led activity.
• Support the development of Pearl Academys annual social impact report.

Key Deliverables

• Social impact strategy and annual operating plan
• Identification of two to three priority impact areas
• Portfolio of scalable, campus-linked initiatives
• Strategic partnerships with credible external organisations
• Faculty and student engagement framework
• Measurement dashboard and periodic impact reports
• Funding, grant or CSR partnership pipeline
• Annual social impact report and institutional impact narrative

Candidate Profile

• Masters degree in social sciences, development studies, public policy, sustainability, education, management or a related field.
• Approximately 810 years of relevant experience in social impact, CSR, sustainability, institutional partnerships, development programmes or the education sector.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and executing multi-stakeholder programmes.
• Strong network or experience working with NGOs, corporates, foundations, government bodies or academic institutions.
• Understanding of higher education, creative industries, design, sustainability or entrepreneurship will be preferred.
• Experience in fundraising, grant development or CSR partnerships will be an advantage.
• Willingness to travel across Pearl Academy campuses and programme locations.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to influence without direct authority
• Sensitivity while working with communities and diverse stakeholders
• High ownership, credibility and institutional maturity