Indian Institute for Human Settlements
Website:
iihs.co.in
Seniority: Mid-Senior level
Industries: Non-profit Organizations and Higher Education
Job details:
About the IIHS Academic Programmes and Schools
India’s urban transition is unprecedented in scale and complexity. Within it lie both the
opportunities of increased economic growth and employment as well as the challenges of
persistent inequality, extreme deprivation and environmental degradation. IIHS’ academic
programmes aim to foster a new generation of urban practitioners and change makers, to
become part of shaping this transition.
The academic programmes are supported by the five interdisciplinary IIHS Schools: School of
Environment and Sustainability (SES), School of Systems and Infrastructure (SSI), School of
Economic Development (SED), School of Human Development (SHD) and School of
Governance (SoG). Each School has a particular transformational theme and a set of teaching,
research and practice projects and programmes within it. Collectively, the five schools
systematically address a wide range of urban issues, from questions of livelihood and
economic development, access to basic infrastructure, affordable housing and healthcare for
all, to tackling climate change and land governance.
Job Description
IIHS is looking for a Manager – Alumni Relations to build and manage the Alumni Office (AO)
of IIHS University. The AO plays an important role in developing a lifelong relationship
between IIHS University and its alumni. As the University grows, the AO will work across
programmes and graduating cohorts to build a connected, active, and mutually beneficial
alumni community.
The incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing the University’s alumni
engagement strategy and building the systems and processes required to establish a vibrant
alumni community.
This is a hands-on role, combining strategic thinking with strong execution: building and
maintaining the alumni database, engaging in regular communication, creating opportunities
for alumni to learn and connect, activating alumni chapters, organising events, and enabling
alumni to contribute to the University’s activities. As the AO develops, the role holder will be
expected to hire, supervise, and mentor junior team members and coordinate the work of
interns, volunteers, and external service providers.
The role will work closely with various teams across IIHS and IIHS University, including
Academics & Research, Admissions, Career Development, Communications & Design, and
Practice, among others.
Activities and Tasks
Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, the following:
Building and maintaining the alumni community and database:
- Developing and implementing systems to ensure that all graduating students across
- IIHS University programmes are formally registered with the Alumni Office;
- Establishing processes for collecting, verifying, updating, and enriching alumni information, while ensuring appropriate protocols for data privacy;
- Creating dashboards and periodic reports on alumni reach, participation, and engagement;
Developing a regular alumni communications programme:
- Ensuring a regular cadence of two-way alumni communications through appropriate channels, including newsletters, event announcements, and others;
- Developing mechanisms to recognise alumni contributions and achievements, including alumni awards, recognition programmes, alumni spotlights, peer recognition, and others;
Creating continuing learning and professional development opportunities:
- Developing a portfolio of learning and professional development opportunities for alumni;
- Identifying alumni expertise for peer learning and knowledge exchange;
Building alumni chapters and communities:
- Developing an appropriate alumni chapter structure;
- Establishing operating guidelines and expectations for alumni chapters;
- Identifying and cultivating alumni volunteers who can serve as chapter office bearers;
- Supporting the chapters in designing, implementing, and monitoring activities;
Organising alumni meets/ events:
- Conceptualising, planning, and holding annual IIHS University alumni meets;
- Designing and conducting smaller alumni events and reunions through the year, including city-based, programme-based, and interest-based gatherings;
Engaging the alumni in IIHS activities:
Developing and managing mechanisms through which alumni can contribute to IIHS’
academic and institutional activities, including:
- Admissions and outreach activities;
- Practica, field visits, and live projects;
- Guest lectures, masterclasses, and practitioner sessions;
- Career development opportunities for current students;
- Industry and sector connections for research and practice;
Developing innovative alumni engagement and recognition:
- Continuously exploring new approaches to alumni engagement, drawing on emerging practices in higher education and professional communities;
- Periodically evaluating data and feedback to identify opportunities for improvement;
Building the Alumni Office as an institutional function:
- Developing the AO’s annual strategy, activity plan, budget, and targets and indicators;
Others:
- Establishing operating systems and reporting mechanisms;
- Working closely with other teams to embed alumni engagement into institutional activities;
- Providing support to other IIHS activities including academics, research, training, practice, operations and others;
- Participating in all activities of Institution-Building at IIHS; carrying out tasks as assigned by IIHS; and traveling on IIHS work within or outside the country as and when needed.
Structure and Reporting
The manager will be part of the Alumni Office of IIHS University and will report to the Chief –
Academic Outreach and Career Development, or to any other person designated by the Chief
at IIHS, while collaborating effectively with the Academic Committee, along with a diverse
group of internal teams, students, alumni, and external individuals/ organisations.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate should have:
- A Master’s degree in Management, Communications, Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, or another relevant discipline;
- Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience, preferably involving alumni relations, higher education, community building, membership organisations, professional networks, community engagement, events, career services, communications, or related areas;
- Prior experience in an alumni relations, student engagement, career development, higher education, or community-building role would be desirable;
- Experience in building and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders;
- Experience in establishing a new programme, community, or function from the ground up and independently managing projects/ programmes from conception through implementation is desirable;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
- Strong event planning and execution skills;
- High level of digital and data literacy, including proficiency in MS Office/ Google Workspace/ GenAI platforms;
- Experience using CRM, community-management, database, email-marketing, or similar digital platforms; experience with alumni-management platforms;
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously;
- The ability to work independently yet collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and matrixed institutional environment;
- The willingness to travel as required
Applications should include a CV and a brief statement describing one community, network,
programme, or stakeholder initiative that the candidate has independently built or managed,
including the approach taken and the results achieved.
This offer is on an exclusive basis, which implies that other professional assignments (whether
compensated or not) that bear a potential conflict of interest with IIHS cannot be undertaken.
The search will remain open until the position is filled.
Location
This position is based in Bengaluru and may entail travel to other locations in India.
Review and Assessment
The role and performance of the incumbent shall be subject to normal review and
assessment systems at IIHS.
Diversity Policy
IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and
those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and
qualifications to apply for positions.
Contact
Please write to us at careers@iihs.co.in if you need any clarifications while filling the online
application form.
Click on Apply to know more.
