Leadership Coach

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Leadership Communication (Business Storytelling Program) Freelance & Online

Emeritus

Emeritus’ short courses, degree programs, professional certificates, and senior executive programs help individuals learn new skills and transform their lives, companies and organizations. Its unique model of state-of-the-art technology, curriculum innovation, and hands-on instruction from senior faculty, mentors and coaches has educated more than 300,000 individuals across 80+ countries.

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Course Description:

Indian Institute of Management - Calcutta

About Subject Matter Expert (SME):

A Subject Matter Expert (SME) is a practitioner with deep expertise in a specific field who helps bring learning programs to life by designing assignments, case studies, and projects that translate concepts into practical, real-world application for professionals.

This is a contractor position.

Role of the SME

As an SME, you will:

• Design and develop learning activities and assessments that translate storytelling frameworks into practical leadership applications.
• Create engaging assignments that allow participants to practice storytelling in contexts such as persuasion, influence, stakeholder alignment, change communication, and personal branding.
• Develop a capstone project that enables participants to build a complete leadership narrative strategy for a real-world business challenge.
• Ensure that all content is unique, relevant to the Indian contrext, and aligned with executive education standards.

Scope of Work

• 8 graded assignments (scenario-based, 120 mins each)
• 8 self-study activities (reflective or application-based, 30–45 mins each)
• 8 asynchronous discussion prompts
• 1 group-based capstone project (3 weeks; leadership narrative + stakeholder stories + visual storytelling assets)
• All assignments' Solutions set and Rubrics for grading

Ideal SME Profile

We are looking for professionals with:

Experience Level

• 8–12+ years of professional experience in leadership communication, corporate training, or executive education.
• Prior experience designing instructional content and assessment materials for professional learners.

Professional Background (one or more of the following):

• Leadership communication consultants
• Corporate storytelling or narrative strategy specialists
• Executive coaches focused on influence and communication
• Faculty or adjunct instructors in communication, leadership, or organizational behavior
• Learning designers with expertise in executive programs

Industry Experience

Preferred exposure to:

• Corporate training (Fortune 500 or leadership academies)
• Management consulting (strategy, transformation, or communication)
• Media and communications (content strategy, branding, crisis communication)
• Higher education institutions (business schools, executive education)
• Public speaking, PR, or advisory (political/leadership communication)

Subject Matter Expertise

• Strong knowledge of storytelling frameworks (Hero’s Journey, Freytag’s Pyramid, Challenge–Choice–Outcome, etc.)
• Ability to map storytelling to persuasion, crisis communication, stakeholder alignment, and personal branding.
• Skilled in converting abstract communication concepts into practical, applied learning experiences.

Additional Capabilities

• Ability to write prompts and cases in a neutral, global tone.
• Experience in creating rubrics and grading frameworks is an advantage.

Engagement Details

• Type: Paid freelance engagement
• Duration: Development of program materials across 8 modules + capstones
• Assessment: Shortlisted SMEs will complete a brief demo assignment as part of the evaluation process

Emeritus provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.