
Senior Manager – CSR & Sustainability
MSD · Gurugram, Haryana, India
- On site
- Full-time
- $120,000 / year
- Gurugram, Haryana, India
Job highlights
- Lead CSR and sustainability initiatives in India.
- Engage with state-level stakeholders and government bodies.
- Design, implement, and monitor community programs.
- Ensure compliance with India's CSR laws.
- Collaborate with cross-functional and global teams.
About the role
Senior Manager – CSR & Sustainability (India)
Position Summary
The Senior Manager – CSR & Sustainability will lead and execute the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability initiatives in India with a strong focus on State engagements and compliance under the Companies Act, 2013, community impact, governance, and stakeholder engagement. The role requires deep knowledge of India’s CSR laws, hands‑on experience in State-level engagements, mapping stakeholders, designing and implementing community programs, and strong monitoring, evaluation, and reporting capabilities. The incumbent will work closely with cross‑functional teams, NGOs, government bodies, and global sustainability teams to ensure meaningful and measurable impact.
Key Responsibilities
State-level Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
- Monitor and analyse state level healthcare policy developments, regulatory changes, and public health programs relevant to the company’s therapeutic areas.
- Build and maintain relationships with key policy stakeholders, including public health institutions, professional societies, government‑supported bodies, and expert groups. And with NGOs, government bodies, community organizations, and industry sustainability networks.
- Contribute to internal policy discussions, providing data‑driven insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Coordinate input into consultations, industry forums, and multi‑stakeholder platforms to represent the organization’s perspective.
- Represent the organization in CSR and sustainability forums, roundtables, and working groups.
- Engage internal teams (communications, HR, business units) to promote a culture of volunteering and responsible citizenship.
- Support external communication through stories of impact, case studies, and best‑practice documentation.
CSR Strategy & Program Management
- Manage development and execution of the India CSR strategy aligned with corporate priorities and Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013.
- Design and implement CSR projects in priority areas such as public health, education, skilling, environment, or women’s empowerment, ensuring high‑quality impact delivery.
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard credible NGO partners, ensuring due diligence, compliance, and alignment with company values.
- Manage the full lifecycle of CSR projects—planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, closure, and sustainability of outcomes.
Compliance, Governance & Reporting
- Coordinate internal CSR committees and ensure documentation meets statutory requirements.
- Ensure strict compliance with CSR regulations under the Companies Act, 2013, CSR Rules, amendments, MCA guidelines, and Board directives.
- Prepare mandatory CSR reporting sections for the Annual Report, Board updates, and disclosures.
- Maintain meticulous documentation, agreements, partner records, impact assessments, and audit‑ready files.
- Work with Legal, Finance, and Compliance teams to ensure transparent and compliant fund deployment.
- Drive third‑party impact assessments as required under Indian CSR laws for applicable thresholds.
Community Project Execution & Monitoring
- Conduct baseline assessments, site visits, and community consultations to understand needs and design responsive interventions.
- Develop and execute robust Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) frameworks, including KPIs, outcome tracking, field verification, data quality checks, and risk assessments.
- Ensure timely reporting by partners and provide support to improve program standards and operational excellence.
- Troubleshoot challenges in the field, ensuring programs are delivered ethically, safely, and efficiently.
Sustainability & ESG Support
- Support India‑specific sustainability and ESG initiatives aligned with global corporate sustainability priorities.
- Contribute to environmental stewardship efforts
- Track policy developments in ESG and sustainability at national and global levels and provide insights into business implications.
- Collaborate with global sustainability /Social Impact teams to localize frameworks, tools, and reporting processes.
Internal Collaboration & Capacity Building
- Coordinate with cross‑functional teams to ensure alignment and integrated execution of CSR and sustainability priorities.
- Conduct capacity‑building sessions for internal teams on CSR law, compliance, and sustainability themes.
- Support employee volunteering programs and internal sustainability campaigns.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required (Social Work, Development Studies, Public Policy, Sustainability, Environmental Studies, or related fields).
- Master’s degree preferred.
Experience
- 8–15 years of experience in CSR, sustainability, social impact, or development sector program management, state-level policy engagements
- Strong understanding of India’s CSR legislation and compliance requirements.
- Demonstrated experience in managing community development projects end‑to‑end.
- Experience working with NGOs, government agencies, and multi‑stakeholder coalitions.
- Experience in project monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment methodologies.
Capabilities & Skills
- Strong project management and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to work across functions with high integrity, transparency, and attention to detail.
- Good understanding of sustainability and ESG concepts.
- Ability to manage budgets, timelines, and multiple partners simultaneously.
- Hands‑on approach with willingness to travel to project locations.
Required Skills
Charitable Organizations, Communication Coordination, Communication Management, Content Creation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Corporate Sustainability, Corporate Sustainability Management, Data Insights, Data Quality, Due Diligence, Employee Engagement, Environmental Science, Event Management, Global Health, Media Communications, Policy Making, Policy Research, Program Management, Project Management, Project Tracking, Public Speaking, Report Writing, Risk Assessments, Socially Responsible Investment
Key skills/competency
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Sustainability
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Program Management
- Compliance
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- ESG
- Policy Development
- NGO Partnerships
- Project Management
Skills & topics
- CSR
- Sustainability
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- ESG
- Program Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Compliance
- India
- Social Impact
- Development Sector
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in CSR, sustainability, and Indian regulations.
- Showcase impact: Quantify achievements in program management and stakeholder engagement.
- Understand MSD's mission: Align your application with their commitment to health and well-being.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss CSR strategy and state-level engagement.
- Network effectively: Connect with current employees to gain insights into the company culture.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for the Senior Manager CSR & Sustainability role at MSD India?
- The Senior Manager CSR & Sustainability at MSD India will lead and execute CSR and sustainability initiatives, focusing on state-level engagements, compliance with the Companies Act 2013, community impact, governance, and stakeholder management. This includes designing and implementing programs, managing NGO partnerships, ensuring legal compliance, and monitoring project outcomes.
- What qualifications are essential for the Senior Manager CSR & Sustainability position?
- A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field like Social Work, Development Studies, or Sustainability is required. A Master's degree is preferred. Additionally, 8-15 years of experience in CSR, sustainability, social impact, or development sector program management, with a strong understanding of India's CSR legislation and state-level engagements, is crucial.
- How does MSD India approach CSR and sustainability initiatives?
- MSD India's CSR and sustainability initiatives are guided by corporate priorities and Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. They focus on areas like public health, education, skilling, environment, and women's empowerment, aiming for high-quality impact delivery through strategic program management, strong NGO partnerships, and rigorous compliance and reporting.
- What kind of stakeholder engagement is expected in this role?
- The role involves extensive state-level stakeholder engagement with public health institutions, professional societies, government bodies, NGOs, community organizations, and industry sustainability networks. Building and maintaining these relationships is key to successful CSR and sustainability program implementation in India.
- What specific compliance requirements are relevant for this CSR role in India?
- The role requires strict adherence to CSR regulations under the Companies Act, 2013, CSR Rules, amendments, MCA guidelines, and Board directives. This includes ensuring transparent fund deployment, preparing mandatory CSR reporting, and driving third-party impact assessments as per Indian CSR laws.
- How is program impact measured and monitored for CSR initiatives at MSD?
- Impact is measured through robust Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) frameworks, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), outcome tracking, field verification, and data quality checks. The role ensures timely reporting by partners and aims to improve program standards and operational excellence.
- What is the educational background preferred for the Senior Manager CSR & Sustainability role?
- While a Bachelor's degree in fields such as Social Work, Development Studies, Public Policy, Sustainability, or Environmental Studies is required, a Master's degree in a related field is preferred for this position.
- Does MSD India offer support for employee volunteering programs?
- Yes, the role involves supporting employee volunteering programs and internal sustainability campaigns, fostering a culture of responsible citizenship within the organization.