Assistant Director/Director

Position: Lead -Harish and Bina Shah School of Humanities (Assistant Director or Director level)

I. Context and Institutional Vision

Launched in 2024, the Harish and Bina Shah School of Humanities marks a defining chapter in Ashoka University’s commitment to the liberal arts. Bringing together departments of History, English, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts, the School is envisioned as a dynamic, globally engaged, and socially conscious hub for humanistic scholarship. It will foster critical inquiry, cultural literacy, and creative expression, while encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue across the sciences, social sciences, and computing.

With a strong emphasis on public humanities and contemporary relevance, the School will house leading Centres of Excellence in areas such as archaeology, translation, gender studies, and interdisciplinary creativity. Backed by commitment from the Harish and Bina Shah Foundation, it aspires to be the leading School of Humanities in India and Asia by 2030, and among the best in the world by 2035.

II. Scope of the School of Humanities

The School will encompass the following academic departments:

- History

- English

- Philosophy

- Visual & Performing Arts

It will also supervise four key Centres of Excellence:

1. Centre for Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research (CIAR)

2. Ashoka Centre for Translation (ACT)

3. Centre for the Creative and the Critical (CCC)

4. Centre for Studies in Gender & Sexuality (CSGS)

Note-The Centres are dynamic and may increase or reduce in number, as the University evolves.

III. Purpose of the Role

The Lead for Strategic Initiatives will play a pivotal role in driving forward the School of Humanities’ vision and mission through strategic planning, coordination, and execution of key programs, initiatives and events. This role demands a high level of strategic acumen, project management skills, stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration with a focus on elevating the school’s visibility, strengthening its brand, and managing a wide range of external-facing programs, initiatives and events. The objective is to position the school as a thought leader in the liberal arts.

IV. Responsibilities and Functions

Strategic Planning & Implementation of Key Initiatives

- Collaborate with the Dean and senior leadership to conceptualize and implement the School’s strategic initiatives.

- Bring together and monitor progress on key initiatives, lecture series, workshops, colloquiums, conferences, etc., of the departments and centres and provide regular updates.

- Conceptualize, plan, and execute all major Humanities events, including the School’s annual flagship event.

- Manage and leverage media relations to ensure adequate visibility and presence for the school’s programs on the right platforms and the right forums.

- Manage special projects and institutional reviews as required by the Dean’s Office.

External Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

- Build and sustain relationships with external partners including but not limited to academic institutions, faculty from other leading humanities institutions, media, alumni, and corporate collaborators.

- Maintain a close working relationship with the donor’s office, ensure that timely updates are shared. As their PoC, ensure their interests are upheld.

- Coordinate all visits, events, and engagements with key stakeholders, in and outside the Ashoka premises.

- Develop strategic partnerships and collaborations for the school and drive those relationships.

- Foster collaboration with internal faculty, students (clubs, societies), and administrative teams.

- Work closely with the Development Office to ensure alignment of institutional goals with donor interests.

Communication & Outreach

- Collaborate with communications teams to create narratives, campaigns, and collateral that showcase the School’s research, pedagogy, and public engagement.

- Coordinate internal communications around strategic initiatives, planned and in progress, to ensure alignment and transparency.

- Oversee brand positioning through storytelling, media outreach, and content development & distribution.

Resource Mobilization

- Manage budgets and resource allocation for strategic initiatives, ideally planned on an annual basis.

- Lead end-to-end event management, from format and content to partner collaborations, communications and logistics.

- Assist in preparing project proposals, impact reports, and donor engagement materials.

V. Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Experience

- Master’s degree in Humanities, Public Policy, Education, or related field.

- 10+ years of experience in academic strategy, institutional development, or program leadership.

- Proven track record in project management, academic administration, and stakeholder engagement.

Skills & Competencies

- Strategic and analytical thinking with attention to detail.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Ability to build relationships and work effectively across academic and administrative boundaries.

- Strong organizational and project management capabilities.

- Proactive, self-driven, and committed to institutional mission.