Call for Applications | Executive Director – Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession | 1 Vacancy
September 16, 2026
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for the position of Executive Director at the newly established Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession (Centre). This is a full-time role on a contractual basis at the NLSIU campus in Bengaluru. It is initially for a period of two years, further extendable for the duration of the Centre’s projects, subject to satisfactory performance.
This is a rare leadership opportunity for an accomplished legal researcher to shape a new university centre from its founding stage.
About the Centre
The Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession was established in 2026 to advance equity, inclusion, and justice within the legal profession in India. The Centre anchors rigorous empirical research into the profession’s structure, regulation, norms, and practices, and supports sustained policy engagement and interdisciplinary scholarship, working through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions to inform debates and reforms that strengthen the legal profession and its role in advancing justice and social development.
The Centre began its research activities in the 2026–27 academic year with the launch of the Women’s Inclusion and Leadership in Law (WILL) Initiative, a five-year effort to advance a more gender-inclusive litigation practice in India, and will expand its programmes and areas of intervention as it develops. The Centre is currently guided by a Faculty Director and Faculty Assistant Director.
About the Role
This is a founding leadership role: the Executive Director will be responsible for building the Centre’s research agenda, lead the day-to-day working of the Centre while overseeing the Centre’s flagship, five-year Women’s Inclusion and Leadership in Law (WILL) Initiative.
The Executive Director will report to the Centre’s Faculty Director.
Key Responsibilities
Specifically, the Executive Director will be responsible for:
- Driving the Centre’s research agenda by identifying priority areas of inquiry on the legal profession and overseeing and contributing to publications and policy briefs emerging from the Centre and the WILL Initiative.
- Leading and managing the day-to-day working of the Centre and its institutional development, including a multi-year strategy in partnership with the faculty team and University leadership.
- Representing the Centre externally, building and sustaining partnerships with stakeholders including Bar Councils, Bar Associations, judiciary and civil society organisations.
- Overseeing the work and deliverables of the Centre’s flagship WILL Initiative.
- Overseeing fundraising and donor relations for the Centre, identifying new funding opportunities, stewarding relationships with existing funders, and ensuring timely, high-quality reporting.
- Ensuring sound financial management of the Centre’s and Initiative’s budgets, working with the University’s finance teams.
Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate degree in law;
- 10–15 years of experience in legal research, including relevant leadership roles (e.g., leading research teams, centres, projects, or organisations).
- Demonstrated track record of designing and leading empirical or policy research relevant to the legal profession, access to justice, or allied areas.
- Experience managing teams and multi-year projects or programmes.
- Excellent organisational, managerial, and communication skills, with the ability to represent an institution to external stakeholders, including funders, the judiciary, Bar bodies and civil society.
- Self-driven and collaborative, with the ability to build institutions and systems from an early stage.
Desirable
- Experience fundraising from, or engaging with, philanthropic or institutional funders.
- Experience setting up or scaling a research centre, programme, or non-profit vertical.
- Prior experience working on issues relating to gender and the legal profession, or women’s leadership in law.
- Prior experience working within a university or academic research setting.
- Demonstrated thought leadership through publications, policy engagement, or public commentary on the legal profession.
How to Apply
Please use the Google form provided and include the following documents:
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);
- Solo-authored writing sample – published/unpublished;
- A statement of purpose (500–800 words) explaining your interest in the Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession;
- Contact details of two professional referees.
Application Deadline
The last date for submission of applications is 07 October 2026, 5 PM (IST).