Director

Job Title:

About The Convergence Foundation and TCF Network

The Convergence Foundation (TCF) is an Indian philanthropic foundation dedicated to catalysing rapid and sustained economic growth to enhance the lives of all Indians. Established by Ashish and Manisha Dhawan in April 2021, TCF builds on their legacy of impactful philanthropy, including the founding of transformative institutions like Ashoka University and the Central Square Foundation.

Our mission is clear: to transform the lives of all Indians through rapid, sustained economic growth and inclusive development. To achieve this, we focus on key areas that influence job creation, human capital development through education and employability, and strengthening state capacity to deliver outcomes.

In each area, TCF works on

• Building pioneering institutions to address India's most complex socio-economic challenges.
• Shaping the larger ecosystem and sharing knowledge, insights and learning with other philanthropists, governments and key stakeholders

We believe that the government is the key actor for system change, and the role of philanthropy and nonprofits is to strategically support the government. The TCF Network includes 20+ organisations, each committed to addressing specific areas of India's socio-economic development, from school education and governance to women's economic empowerment and export competitiveness.

Position Summary

By 2030, TCF aims to build deep partnerships with the national government and at least 6 large Indian states, along with knowledge-sharing ties with 68 others.

This role will anchor TCF's strategic engagement with governments and key policy stakeholders. It requires a sharp understanding of government priorities, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to credibly advocate for TCFs' reform ideas.

The Director will drive visibility of TCF and its network, shape opportunities for collaboration, and ensure our insights reach decision-makers. They will work closely with portfolio CEOs, TCF mentors, and sector experts to identify and position high-impact policy initiatives focused on rapid, sustained, and inclusive economic growth.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Strategic relationship management:

Develop and manage content-driven relationships with top decision-makers and influencers at both the national and state levels. This involves proactively engaging with senior stakeholders, understanding their evolving priorities, and regularly sharing insights and research from TCF and its network. The role requires high energy and comfort in initiating, sustaining, and deepening relationships, even in the absence of immediate asks.

Cultivation of TCF Champions:

Cultivate a network of TCF champions, including leading industrialists, former administrators, academics, practitioners, and other experts. This informal advisory group will provide guidance on TCF's work in each state, help tailor support to specific contexts, and create opportunities for expanded reach and influence.

Policy reform agenda:

Co-build and implement a robust policy reform agenda that aligns with national priorities. This includes working closely with TCFs portfolio organisations in identifying key areas for reform, spotting strategic opportunities to collaborate with government bodies, and preparing background materials to effectively communicate breakthrough ideas to decision-makers. The role involves actively socialising these ideas with the right stakeholders and creating alignment to move them forward.

Government coordination and support:

In special cases, establish and manage small coordination/policy support units to work with government bodies at the highest levels to streamline TCF's efforts and those of its network organisations.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Experience:

• A proven track record in government, policy, public affairs, corporate affairs, or similar roles with strong government engagement, with 2025 years of experience navigating and influencing decisions across sectors.
• Demonstrated success in working with senior stakeholders at the national and state levels, with an understanding of the policymaking and implementation process.
• Exposure across multiple sectors is preferred over deep experience in a single domain

Skills:

• Ability to quickly grasp and communicate complex reform ideas in areas like economic growth, human capital development, and governance.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence and energy to open doors, follow up proactively, and engage meaningfully even in unstructured settings.
• Strategic thinker who can spot opportunities, connect the dots, and position TCF's ideas at the right tables.
• Comfortable engaging with a wide network of advisors, stakeholders, and partners, and navigating diverse perspectives.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build alignment across internal and external stakeholders.

Attributes:

• Gets energy from meeting people, building new relationships, and sustaining them over time.
• Practical, solution-oriented, and comfortable working in ambiguity.
• Not necessarily a policy wonk, but someone who has deep curiosity and can hold intelligent conversations and inspire trust.
• Passionate about TCFs mission and excited to contribute to large-scale impact through strategic government engagement.
• Viewed as credible, trustworthy, and grounded by peers, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.

How