Job Description

Salary: INR 5,171,000 - 5,732,000 per annum pro rata dependent on experience
Hours: 37.5 per week (pro rata) excluding lunch breaks. We are open to considering this role being performed part-time but require a minimum commitment of 0.6 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) (approx. 3 days a week)
Contract: This is a permanent contract . The notice period is three months in writing on each side. There is a probationary period of six months.
Location: Remote, within India. Candidates must have a valid right to work for the country where the position is based.
Benefits: Various opportunities for flexible working, generous time off policies, and other sector-competitive benefits.
Are you looking for a leadership role that enables you to flex your systems change muscles? Forum for the Future is recruiting an Associate Director to join the team in India, co-developing and overseeing the delivery of aspects of our ambitious strategy to drive deep and urgent transitions in energy, food and the purpose of business.
About Forum for the Future
Forum for the Future, one of the world's leading international sustainability organisation with a 29 year track record, works to influence the arc of change towards a just and regenerative future. We inspire change-actors to step up their ambition, stretch their vision and find pathways that are systemic, strategic and tackle root causes of our current crises. We focus on influencing the shape of 3 transitions: to renewable energy, to a sustainable food system and a transition in the purpose of business in society. We partner with influential organisations in business, civil society, government and philanthropy and host national and international multi-stakeholder projects from our 4 geographic offices: (Americas, UK/Europe, India and South-East Asia) driving deep systemic change. We operate as a global team, delivering both international and local projects. As a dynamic, international leader with a deep commitment to creating a better future, you will play a pivotal role in creating this change
About the role
Forum is at an exciting time in its evolution. As we approach our 30th anniversary, this role holds the potential to enhance our ability to create deep and lasting impact in India.
Our 2023 - 2027 strategy focuses on shaping deep transition pathways towards future energy, food and market systems. In India, we have grown our impact in key areas and are now well recognised for the value our approaches bring. Other areas of our strategy remain as yet untapped potential, and this is where this role comes in.
Together with the Managing Director, India, this role will lead impact and operations in the India Geography, helping to shape our strategic direction, as well as nurturing the culture, finances and relationships required to deliver it. As a leader within Forum, you will direct, design and implement programmes, projects, processes and systems to ensure that Forum's work with partners supports our overarching organisational strategy and desired impact.
To thrive in this role, you will have deep expertise in setting and overseeing programme strategy development and implementation, excellent business development and fundraising skills, and a passion for quality and integrity. You will have an established network across the different types of stakeholders within the sustainability community, and previous experience with environmental, social impact and/or development work. You will thrive in a workplace and team that is based on strong values and high ambition.
You will contribute to project delivery, so having a deep appreciation for - and prior experience of - systems-thinking, applied futures and building collaborations will be an asset.
Overall, we are looking for someone with clear leadership qualities who recognises the power of 'we', and who can envision and be ambitious about Forum's transformational potential.
If you do not meet all the requirements outlined in the job description but still believe you have the right mix of skills and experience to thrive in this role and further Forum's ambitious goals for change, we encourage you to apply.
Our work environment
We value being courageous, adaptive, inquisitive, respectful, empathetic and playful. You can read more about our organisational values . Our values shape our common culture, purpose, and decisions, inspiring us to act justly and responsibly. We thrive on teamwork, collaboration, and mutual support, fostering a dynamic and caring environment. At Forum, we prioritize a positive workplace grounded in ethics, integrity, openness, and transparency. We embrace diversity and are dedicated to building an inclusive, capable, and thriving team from all walks of life.
Application process
To find out more about this vacancy, please download and read the full job description.
Application deadline is 4th Jan 2026, 11.55pm IST
Please note: Due to a large volume of applications, we may close this application process before the stated deadline. Early applications are encouraged.
We use the Applied platform because it is designed to reduce bias in our recruitment process. We therefore request you to avoid using AI for your application as we can tell if an application is written using AI and will be disqualified. We wish to hear your experience and answers to the questions.
Interviews will be held on between 15th - 19th January 2026 with a final interview between 27th - 30th January.
We use the Applied platform to minimize bias in our recruitment. To apply, please answer a few work-based questions thoughtfully, using up to 250 words to show your understanding of the role and how your skills and experience align with it at Forum for the Future.
The platform provides instructions for how to use the portal and a dashboard to track your progress, with a reminder function on application deadline. You can draft, save, and review your responses before submitting, as long as it's within the deadline.
Please note:
Some of the personal data you provide to Applied when you apply for a role with Forum for the Future will be passed on to us for the purposes of (a) reviewing your application; (b) inviting you for interview; and/or (c) offering you a job and getting you set up as an employee. For full details on how we collect and use your personal data please visit our privacy notice
If your application is not successful, any personal data provided to us by Applied (including any personal data relating to equal opportunities monitoring as set out above) will be retained by Forum for the Future for no longer than 12 months after the application deadline has passed, at which point your personal data will be securely deleted. We only keep your information for that period to allow us to comply with relevant legal obligations.
Please note:
If you do not have the right to work in the country or need sponsorship to continue working, please consider carefully before applying, as we cannot provide sponsorship.
An equal opportunities employer
Forum for the Future wholeheartedly supports equal opportunities in employment. We promote and support equality, diversity and inclusion both in our own workplace and through our work with our partners and the wider public. We actively support and promote diversity as an essential component of sustainability, and as a key element of our organisational values. We oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, caste, religion or belief. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, including those who identify as disabled, LGBTQ, ethnic minorities, and come from diverse social and educational backgrounds.

Skills Required