Manager – Design Culture & Creative Ecosystems

About Anant National University

Anant National University, India’s Premier Design University, is dedicated to training students to devise solutions for global problems through creative thinking.

Our DesignX way is unique in helping young designers develop a better understanding of the context we live in through community immersion, innovation and collaboration. The core of our pedagogy is sustainable design multiplied by a host of knowledge disciplines and technology to make problem solving impactful. Our multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in design, architecture, climate action and visual arts harness the knowledge from various disciplines and traditional practices to integrate it with cutting edge technology to address diverse challenges.

About (Department)

The Marketing Department in Anant National University plays a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s public image, driving student enrolment, and strengthening its reputation in a highly competitive higher education landscape. It serves as the bridge between the university and its stakeholders — prospective students, parents, alumni, corporate partners, government bodies, and the wider community. The major functions of the department include, but are not limited to:

Job Type

Full-time

Location

Mumbai (with frequent travel to Ahmedabad)

• Preference will be given to applications from Anant Alumni

Reporting to

Head of Marketing, Anant National University

Required Education Qualification and Years of Experience

4-7 years of experience in design, fashion, architecture, media, or culture

Strong personal network across creative industries or proven ability to build one

Experience with event curation, programming, or community engagement preferred

Deep understanding of India’s creative and design landscape – from studios to influencers

Exceptional people skills, high cultural curiosity, and a collaborative mindset

Comfort with ambiguity, scheduling complexity, and relationship-building over the long term

About the Role

Anant National University is building a new kind of design institution – rooted in India, and built for the world. Our pedagogy, DesignX, combines design, sustainability, technology, and Indian knowledge systems to shape purpose-driven creatives.

We’re looking for a well-networked, culturally fluent professional to build deep relationships with India’s creative community, including boutique studios, independent architects, fashion innovators, and design entrepreneurs.

As Manager of Design Culture & Creative Ecosystems, your role is to connect Anant to the country’s creative pulse. You’ll bring in real voices from the field – not just as guest speakers but as mentors, collaborators, critics, and champions.

This relationship-first role is focused on shaping perception, increasing engagement, and making Anant a natural home for design conversations in India.

Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs)

• Creative Community Engagement
  

• Build and manage a network of 50–100 creative professionals from design, fashion, architecture, and visual culture.
• Invite them to engage with Anant through talks, project mentorship, open studios, and critique sessions.
• Create a calendar of engagements aligned to campaign moments, student projects, or academic needs.

• Dialogue & Programming
  

• Curate and coordinate interactive formats like fireside chats, design walkthroughs, Q&As, and critique circles.
• Co-produce a flagship DesignX Conversations series – featuring diverse voices from the Indian creative sector.
• Capture and repurpose these interactions for digital amplification (e.g., reels, blog content, media outreach).

• Student & Studio Integration
  

• Facilitate short-term collaborations between students and practitioners (e.g. studio-based briefs, project reviews, internships).
• Design immersion opportunities: studio visits, industry walkarounds, project audits.
• Create a directory of on-call mentors or creative advisors available to guide students periodically.

• Cultural Footprint Building
  

• Identify regional creative hotspots and help build Anant’s local presence (e.g. Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Goa, Delhi).
• Recommend events, festivals, or biennales where Anant should show up through student/faculty participation or community co-creation.
• Maintain a tracker of engagements, feedback, and influence value from each interaction.

• This Role is for You If…
  

• You know who’s shaping creative India – and how to reach them.
• You believe building credibility is a slow, respectful process.
• You enjoy bringing people together and creating thoughtful dialogue.
• You want to make Anant a known node in India’s design and cultural map.

To Apply

Please attach your portfolio which has campaign examples, or a narrative piece you’ve led (along with your CV) to https://career.anu.edu.in/. Applications without the portfolio will not be considered.

Preference will be given to applications from Anant Alumni