Executive Director, Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession at NLSIU, Bengaluru (1 Vacancy, Full-time Contract)

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, invites applications for the position of Executive Director at its newly established Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession. There is one vacancy.

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. NLSIU describes it as a founding leadership role for an accomplished legal researcher to shape a new university centre from its founding stage.

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. It anchors empirical research into the profession's structure, regulation, norms and practices, and supports policy engagement and interdisciplinary scholarship through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions.

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. The Centre is currently guided by a Faculty Director and a Faculty Assistant Director, and the Executive Director will report to the Faculty Director.

• Driving the Centre's research agenda, identifying priority areas of inquiry on the legal profession, and overseeing and contributing to publications and policy briefs from the Centre and the WILL Initiative
• Leading the day-to-day working of the Centre and its institutional development, including a multi-year strategy with the faculty team and University leadership
• Representing the Centre externally and building partnerships with Bar Councils, Bar Associations, the judiciary and civil society organisations
• Overseeing the work and deliverables of the flagship WILL Initiative
• Overseeing fundraising and donor relations, identifying new funding opportunities and ensuring timely, high-quality reporting to funders
• Ensuring sound financial management of the Centre's and the Initiative's budgets with the University's finance teams

• Graduate degree in law
• 10-15 years of experience in legal research, including relevant leadership roles (for example, 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 funders, the judiciary, Bar bodies and civil society
• Self-driven and collaborative, with the ability to build institutions and systems from an early stage

• Experience fundraising from, or engaging with, philanthropic or institutional funders
• Experience setting up or scaling a research centre, programme or non-profit vertical
• Prior work on gender and the legal profession, or women's leadership in law
• Prior experience within a university or academic research setting
• Thought leadership through publications, policy engagement or public commentary on the legal profession

NLSIU has not stated the remuneration for this position in its notice.

Apply through the official Google Form and include the following documents:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A solo-authored writing sample, published or 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

The last date for submission of applications is 7 October 2026, 5 PM (IST). Queries regarding the position may be sent to recruitment@nls.ac.in.