Manager- Community Engagement

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on our world? Do you thrive in a collaborative team environment built on mutual respect and integrity? Do you have the experience to lead grassroots teams and the vision to drive impactful community-based programs? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team at SaveLIFE Foundation.

About SaveLIFE Foundation

SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF) is an award-winning, independent non-profit organization committed to saving lives on roads across India and the Global South. By combining grassroots action with systems reform, SLF has been at the forefront of introducing landmark road safety innovations—such as India’s Good Samaritan Law and the Zero-Fatality Corridor (ZFC) model. Our work has helped reduce road crash deaths by up to 67% on some of India’s most dangerous highways and has been recognized by institutions such as the Skoll Foundation, World Bank, and Government of India.

At SLF, we believe that road crashes are not accidents—they are preventable tragedies. We are on a mission to prove that loss of life on roads is not a price we must pay for mobility.

Join us to help scale this mission.

About the Role

critical role

SaveLIFE Foundation is seeking an experienced and strategic manager with a deep understanding of community development principles and a proven track record of leading field teams. The individual will be responsible for developing the frameworks, toolkits, and monitoring systems that empower our Community Associates to succeed. As the primary link between the field and HQ, the individual will ensure the community's voice and field-level realities inform our program strategy.

Role and Responsibilities

1. Strategy and Program Management:

• Lead the development and implementation of SLF’s national community engagement strategy, ensuring it aligns with our Zero Fatality Corridor (ZFC) and Zero Fatality District (ZFD) program goals.
• Design, standardize, and continuously improve program implementation frameworks, training modules, and operational toolkits for the Community Engagement Associates.
• Manage the innovation and piloting of new community-based approaches to enhance program effectiveness.

2. Team Management and Capacity Building:

• Manage, mentor, and build the capacity of the team of Community Engagement Associates deployed across various regions.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and identify professional development opportunities for the team.
• Act as the primary point of guidance and support for Associates, helping them navigate complex field-level challenges and find solutions.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and high performance within the community engagement team.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management:

• Establish and manage a unified Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework to consistently track the performance and impact of community engagement activities.
• Analyze and synthesize field reports from Associates to identify trends, challenges, successes, and key learnings.
• Prepare and present consolidated reports and operational insights to the CPO and other program leads.
• Build and maintain a central knowledge repository of best practices, case studies, and community engagement models.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with managers and leads of other teams (Policy, Communications, M&E) to ensure seamless integration and alignment of community-level work.
• Represent the community engagement team in cross-functional meetings.
• Support the fundraising team by providing rich qualitative data, success stories, and programmatic insights for donor reports and funding proposals.

Academic Qualifications

Essential

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Sociology, Public Policy, Rural Management/Development, or a related social sciences field from a recognized university.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 8-10 years of progressive professional experience with a significant focus on community development, social mobilization, or grassroots program management. Must have at least 3 years of direct experience in a team management capacity, preferably leading remote or field-based teams.
• Proven experience in designing and managing community-based programs at a regional or national level.

What You’ll Gain

• A unique platform to lead change at scale, with the ability to directly influence infrastructure and policy in India and beyond.
• The chance to work with India’s only organization that combines system reform with on-ground action for road safety.
• Cross-sector exposure across engineering, governance, public health, and civic engagement.
• An entrepreneurial environment that values innovation, courage, and execution excellence.
• An opportunity to be part of a globally recognized movement saving thousands of lives each year.

SaveLIFE Foundation is for you if you

• Crave purpose in your work and want to solve real problems for real people.
• Thrive in a high-performance environment where outcomes matter.
• Are passionate about improving systems through technology and design.
• Want your work to matter—not just for your company, but for your country.

Personal Characteristics

• Strategic Thinking:

  Ability to think strategically and translate high-level goals into actionable field-level plans and frameworks.

• Strong People Management:

  Proven ability to lead, mentor, inspire, and manage a diverse and geographically dispersed team effectively.

• Program Design & M&E:

  Strong skills in designing program frameworks, creating training modules, and developing robust monitoring and evaluation systems.

• Analytical & Synthesis Skills:

  Excellent ability to analyze complex qualitative data and synthesize field reports into concise operational insights.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

  Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, from field staff to senior program leadership.

• Empathy and Judgment:

  Possesses deep empathy for community needs, coupled with mature judgment to make sound managerial decisions.

• Organizational Skills:

  High level of organization and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

• Commitment to Mission:

  A genuine passion for social impact and a strong alignment with SaveLIFE Foundation’s mission to save lives.

How to apply: