Head of institutions (PSS07965)

About the Company

Founded over 30 years ago in Munnar, this pioneering social enterprise ecosystem is dedicated to creating dignified livelihoods for adults with disabilities and the children of plantation workers. With a legacy of purpose, craftsmanship, sustainability, and inclusive development, it stands at the intersection of social impact, skilling, environmental stewardship, and artisanal excellence. The organization now seeks a visionary leader to honor its heritage while shaping an ambitious, future-ready path for the next decade.

Position Overview

The Head of Institution will serve as the overall leader of the ecosystem, reporting to the Trustee. This role is responsible for strategic direction, operational excellence, long-term sustainability, and the well-being and development of all beneficiaries, staff, artisans, and community partners. The position calls for a mission-driven leader capable of balancing social impact, financial prudence, creative enterprise, and community engagement in a remote, nature-dependent environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and execute a multi-year strategy to strengthen the institution’s impact model, sustainability, and relevance.
• Evolve legacy programs into future-ready formats across livelihoods, education, sustainability, and specialized skills training.
• Lead innovation while preserving the ethos, values, and cultural identity of the organization.
• Oversee day-to-day functioning of all units including DARE School, Athulya, Nisarga, Aranya Natural, and associated initiatives.
• Ensure high-quality program delivery in inclusive education, therapeutic support, skilling, production, and community development.
• Strengthen systems in safety, governance, compliance, reporting, and operations.
• Lead a diverse workforce of educators, therapists, artisans, support staff, and administrative teams, fostering an inclusive, mission-driven culture.
• Serve as the primary representative to plantation communities, state authorities, NGOs, CSR partners, and donors.
• Oversee budgeting, cost governance, funding strategy, and financial discipline across all units.
• Develop new partnerships for grants, CSR funding, and institutional support while maintaining mission integrity.
• Represent the organization’s mission and work in public forums, CSR platforms, and knowledge networks.
• Ensure safety and statutory compliance across labor, education, environment, manufacturing, and CSR regulations.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Experience: 12–18+ years in social sector leadership, education management, community development, disability inclusion, sustainability-driven enterprises, or related fields.
• Leadership: Proven ability to run complex, multi-stakeholder institutions and lead teams in non-urban, resource-constrained, or mission-driven environments.
• Technical Expertise: Experience with artisanal or craft-based enterprises, CSR frameworks, donor relationship management, and understanding of livelihoods, skilling ecosystems, or disability-inclusive models.
• Soft Skills: Mission-driven, values-oriented, strategic, operationally disciplined, community-centric, innovative, resilient, and people-focused.
• Languages: Strong communication skills in English; comfort with Malayalam/Hindi desirable.

Why Consider this Opportunity?

• Lead a heritage institution with a 30+ year legacy of social impact and inclusive development.
• Shape the next decade of growth across education, livelihoods, and sustainability in a unique ecosystem.
• Drive innovation while preserving a deeply respected cultural and community ethos.
• Engage directly with plantation communities, artisans, and partners to create lasting social change.
• Experience a fully residential leadership role in the natural, hilly environment of Munnar, integrating purpose with place.
• Build a future-ready institution recognized nationally and globally for its distinctive model of inclusion and sustainability.

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