Job Title

The Honorary Director of Talent Development and Internship Program will be a strategic leader within Project Sankofa in India, taking responsibility for driving the vision, execution, and continuous improvement of internship programs for fresh graduates. This role is designed for senior HR professionals with deep expertise in talent management and development. The director will work closely with key stakeholders—corporate leaders, educational institutions, and policymakers—to shape internships that not only enhance employability but also meet the dynamic needs of India's rapidly evolving job market.As a senior leader, you will use your vast industry experience to ensure that the internship programs are both innovative and aligned with the latest trends in talent development, ultimately fostering a pool of skilled, job-ready graduates for India's growing industries.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Strategic Leadership and Program Oversight:- Lead the design and implementation of high-impact internship programs across multiple industries in India, ensuring they align with the strategic goals of Project Sankofa. - Collaborate with C-suite executives, HR leaders, and academic institutions to create structured, innovative, and scalable internship programs that cater to diverse sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing. - Define key metrics for success and continuously monitor and assess the effectiveness of these programs, ensuring they deliver tangible value to both graduates and employers.Building Strategic Partnerships:- Leverage your extensive professional network to establish partnerships with top-tier companies, industry associations, and educational institutions in India, ensuring their active participation in Project Sankofa. - Engage with business leaders to create a robust pipeline of internship opportunities, ensuring the programs are aligned with industry needs and offer graduates meaningful, career-building experiences. - Foster long-term relationships with corporate partners, ensuring their commitment to providing quality internships and mentoring opportunities.Designing Internships that Drive Career Readiness:- Develop internship frameworks that go beyond traditional job shadowing, integrating learning opportunities that prepare interns for the demands of the workforce. - Advocate for internships that offer substantial exposure to real-world projects, mentorship from senior leaders, and career development opportunities that allow interns to acquire in-demand skills. - Work with academic institutions to ensure internships are strategically aligned with curriculum outcomes, equipping graduates with both academic knowledge and practical skills.Creating Pathways from Internship to Employment:- Ensure that the internship programs serve as gateways to permanent employment by working closely with participating companies to create clear pathways for high-performing interns. - Advise employers on creating talent pipelines through internship-to-hire initiatives, ensuring companies gain access to a pool of pre-vetted, trained graduates who are ready to contribute. - Guide both interns and employers on how to best leverage internships as a talent acquisition strategy, increasing conversion rates from internships to full-time roles.Mentorship and Talent Development:- As a senior HR leader, mentor both interns and junior HR professionals involved in the program, helping them build careers and grow into leadership roles. - Develop a structured mentorship framework that ensures interns receive guidance, feedback, and career advice from senior industry leaders. - Create professional development opportunities for interns, focusing on building both technical and soft skills that are critical for career success.Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement:- Establish comprehensive feedback and evaluation systems to measure the impact of internships, collecting data on intern performance, employer satisfaction, and long-term career outcomes. - Use insights from these evaluations to refine the internship offerings, introduce innovative models (e.g., virtual or hybrid internships), and continuously improve the program’s quality. - Stay informed on the latest HR trends, technological advancements, and changing industry needs to ensure that internship programs remain relevant and competitive.Championing DEI in Internship Programs:- Advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in internship recruitment and program design. Ensure that internships are accessible to graduates from diverse backgrounds, including women, minorities, and underrepresented groups. - Implement strategies to encourage a more inclusive internship experience, providing equal opportunities for all graduates regardless of socioeconomic background.KEY SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:Extensive Experience in Senior HR Leadership:- Minimum of 20 years of experience in Human Resources, focusing on talent development, leadership development, or workforce planning. - Experience in leading large-scale, impactful talent development initiatives, ideally in multinational or reputed Indian organizations. - Proven track record in designing and managing internship programs or early-career talent development initiatives.Industry Expertise:- In-depth knowledge of industry trends, talent requirements, and workforce development needs across multiple sectors, including IT, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and engineering. - Familiarity with skills gaps and emerging needs in India's workforce, along with the ability to identify key areas where internships can have the most impact.Strategic Vision and Execution:- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute HR strategies that align with organizational goals, focusing on talent acquisition, development, and retention. - Ability to drive change and innovation in talent development programs, ensuring that internship opportunities reflect the current needs of the business and the graduate workforce.Exceptional Leadership and Influence:- Ability to influence senior leaders, drive strategic decisions, and motivate cross-functional teams to collaborate effectively. - Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage with C-suite executives, university leaders, and government officials and present the vision and outcomes of the Sankofa initiative.Results-Driven with Analytical Expertise:- Ability to establish measurable outcomes, track performance, and use data to continuously improve programs. - Expertise in using talent analytics to make informed decisions and drive improvements in program design and execution.WHY JOIN AS HONORARY DIRECTOR?This is an unparalleled opportunity for senior HR professionals to contribute to a national initiative that will shape the future of India’s workforce. By taking on the role of Honorary Director, you will:- Lead an impactful project that will directly influence the careers of thousands of fresh graduates, ensuring they have the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in India’s competitive job market. - Build strategic relationships with top companies, educational institutions, and government bodies, positioning yourself as a thought leader in talent development. - Help define the future of internship programs in India, making a lasting contribution to the country’s economic transformation.