Program Lead/ Manager

Preferred: Candidates having experience working on projects that are related to organic cotton farming or craft-based livelihoods, rural enterprise development, or sustainable fashion

Location: Worli, Mumbai

Job Summary: The Lead – artisan:re will spearhead the design, implementation, and scaling of artisan:re, overseeing all aspects of the program’s strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, partnerships, operations, and impact measurement. The role demands a strong entrepreneurial mindset, passion for craft revival, and ability to work collaboratively with artisan communities, design partners, government bodies, private sector allies, and retail markets.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategy

 Develop and execute a robust strategy to expand artisan:re’s reach, impact, and sustainability.

 Identify and nurture partnerships with artisan clusters, cooperatives, and craft organisations.

 Drive product development initiatives aligned with market trends while preserving traditional skills. Business Development & Market Linkages

 Establish channels for national and international market access, including online and offline retail.

 Forge collaborations with designers, brands, and fair-trade networks.

 Develop and monitor pricing strategies to ensure fair wages and viable profit margins. Operations & Team Management

 Lead a multi-disciplinary team working across design, production, training, quality control, and sales.

 Facilitate skill-building and capacity development workshops for artisan communities.

 Oversee supply chain management, production timelines, and quality assurance. Stakeholder Engagement

 Represent artisan:re in external forums, exhibitions, and craft fairs.

 Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, government agencies, and industry experts.

 Prepare compelling reports, presentations, and communication materials to showcase impact. Monitoring & Evaluation  Set up systems to track progress against project KPIs.

 Ensure continuous learning, innovation, and documentation of best practices.

 Leverage data to refine strategies and demonstrate measurable outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience:

 Postgraduate degree in Social Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, Business Management, Design Management, or related fields.

 8–12 years of experience, preferably in craft-based livelihoods, rural enterprise development, or sustainable fashion.

 Proven experience in managing large-scale social impact programs or enterprises.

 Strong understanding of artisan ecosystems, fair trade principles, and inclusive business models.