Designation of the Role: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Years of Experience: 15+

Location: Kolkata

Work Model: Onsite

THE ROLE

Objective The CEO will be the driving force behind nurturing and scaling the next generation of impact-driven ventures, particularly those creating rural livelihoods and sustainable solutions. This role is a unique opportunity to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem while leveraging the resources and reputation of one of India’s leading business schools. The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a deep understanding of the startup landscape, a strong network, and genuine passion for mentorship and social impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

- Develop and execute the overall strategy for IIMCIP, setting ambitious yet realistic goals for startup growth, social/economic impact, and organisational sustainability.

- Advise the Board on investment risks, returns, and alignment with social mission.

- Identify and pursue growth opportunities aligned with IIMCIP’s core focus on rural entrepreneurship and livelihood creation.

- Build strategic partnerships with government, development organisations and institutional investors to strengthen IIMCIP’s capability and reach.

Ecosystem Building

- Cultivate and expand a robust network of mentors, industry partners, development organisations and alumni to provide invaluable resources to our entrepreneurs.

- Act as the primary external face of IIMCIP at public forums, industry events, policy discussions, and sector forums.

- Foster collaborations with other incubators, government bodies, corporates, industry partners and investors—both in India and globally—to enhance program impact and resource sharing.

- Function as a respected evangelist for social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation.

- Strengthen partnerships with State Governments for integrating IIMCIP programs into development agendas.

Portfolio Management

- Oversee the selection and management of startup cohorts, ensuring a diverse portfolio aligned with IIMCIP’s social impact objectives.

- Provide strategic guidance to portfolio companies to help them navigate challenges and achieve sustainability.

- Track and communicate social/economic impact metrics alongside financial performance.





Operational Excellence

- Manage the day-to-day operations of IIMCIP, including budgeting, team management, and resource allocation.

- Optimise processes to ensure efficiency, accountability and impact.

- Build and lead a high-performing team aligned with IIMCIP’s mission.

Fundraising &

- Investor Relations

- Lead fundraising efforts for IIMCIP’s fund and growth initiatives.

- Connect portfolio companies with relevant funders—from development finance to venture investors.

- Build relationships with impact investors, foundations, and government agencies aligned with social mission.

Qualifications

Experience

- 15+ yearsof progressive experience in the startup/entrepreneurship ecosystem.

- At least 5 yearsin a leadership role (CEO, Managing Partner, senior role at incubator/accelerator, or equivalent).

- Proven track recordin mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs through business challenges and scaling.

- Demonstrated commitmentto social entrepreneurship, impact investing, or development finance is highly valued.

- Experience working with government agencies, development organisations, or the development sectoris preferred.

Knowledge &

- Skills

- Deep expertise in startup financing, venture capital, and impact metrics.

- Strong business acumen and understanding of diverse industry sectors.

- Excellent communication, networking, and public speaking skills.

- Ability to inspire and lead a high-performing team toward mission-driven goals.

- Strategic thinking balanced with operational pragmatism.

- Integrity, openness, and demonstrated leadership excellence.

Education

- MBA from a top-tier institutionis preferred

LOCATION &

- REPORTING

- Location:Kolkata (IIM Calcutta campus) — Required

- Reports to:Board of Directors

- Travel:15-20% pan-India travel for stakeholder engagement and ecosystem building

WHY JOIN US





This is more than a job—it’s a chance to build a legacy in social entrepreneurship. You’ll have:

Autonomy to innovate and shape the future of rural entrepreneurship in India.

Resources — backing of a prestigious business school, expanding fund capacity and a powerful 45,000-member alumni network.

Impact — direct influence on the livelihoods of rural entrepreneurs and community transformation.

Influence — engagement with government policymakers, development organisations and leading social entrepreneurs.

Platform — prospect to position IIMCIP as India’s leading social entrepreneurship incubator.

You’ll be at the forefront of inclusive, sustainable innovation, directly influencing the careers of founders building solutions that matter to real communities.

APPLICATION &

- PROCESS To Apply

Send your resume, a statement of interest (why IIMCIP appeals to you), and supporting materials to [[email protected]]

Compensation

Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and market benchmarks for not-for-profit sector leadership roles. Performance-linked benefits aligned with organisational mission and sustainability.

About Iimcip

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) is a not-for-profit (Section 8) company established under the aegis of IIM Calcutta to promote entrepreneurship, foster innovation, and nurture an ecosystem of sustainable enterprises with social and economic impact.

Since 2014, IIMCIP has built a thriving ecosystem focused on social entrepreneurship and rural livelihood creation, with particular strength in East and North-East India. We have reached over 1 million youth, catalysed 35,000+ innovative ideas, mentored 5,500+ entrepreneurs, and supported 100+ startups. Most significantly, we have empowered 470 women-led and women-owned rural enterprises, positioning ourselves as a trusted knowledge partner to State Governments across the region.

IIMCIP is now at a growth inflection point, with proven success in our core mission and expanding fund capacity. We need visionary leadership to scale our impact systematically while remaining rooted in our social entrepreneurship mission.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park: Where Innovation Creates Livelihoods

Apply Now

📌 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Kolkata)
🏢 IIM Calcutta Innovation Park
📍 Kolkata