CEO

Job Description: CEO, Daksh

Location: Bengaluru, India

Reports to: Governing Council

About Daksh

Daksh is Indias leading funded think tank and advocacy group on law and justice system reform. We operate at the intersection of data science, public policy, and legal research. India has over 50 million pending cases, with average resolution times exceeding 1,400 days and Dakshs work focuses on reducing this. Daksh has built a strong reputation for data-led research and trusted engagement across the ecosystem. Our research not only identifies the problems but also suggests innovative steps to address the problems through process reforms and use of technology. Dakshs pathbreaking work enables decision makers to understand and diagnose the choke points in the system and implement appropriate solutions. While research is our forte, we have over the years actively participated in implementing certain ideas through pilot projects.

Over the years, we have worked with leaders in the judiciary, government and other policy institutions. Daksh has built a reputation for building and leading coalitions for better and wider impact. Our suggestions have been followed by several courts and government departments.

We are now entering the next phase of our journey, with a goal to increase our advocacy efforts across the country and on specific subject matters. Alongside strengthening our core work in Rule of Law and Access to Justice, we are launching a new vertical focused on Commercial Tax and Related Disputes—aimed at reducing litigation friction for businesses and strengthening Indias Ease of Doing Business.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Indias most influential justice reform organisations.

• As CEO, you will lead Daksh as a whole organisation. You will:
• Steward Dakshs core Rule of Law and Access to Justice portfolios
• Build and scale the new Commercial Tax and Disputes vertical from the ground up
• Strengthen Dakshs institutional capabilities, team, and sustainability
• Ensure Dakshs work delivers measurable improvements in across our bodies of work and institutional performance

Operating Context

Dakshs current team size is 15 researchers, both full-time and consultants. Daksh is a registered society with a governing council. The CEO will work closely with the senior research team and the governing council in managing the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Institutional Leadership

• Set direction: Define clear strategic priorities for Daksh across portfolios, and translate them into a focused annual plan.
• Strengthen positioning: Build Dakshs leadership in justice reform and expand its credibility in commercial tax and disputes.
• Drive execution: Create operating rhythm, decision clarity, and accountability across the organisation.

2. New Domain Development: Commercial Tax & Disputes

• Build: Design and launch the Commercial Tax and Disputes practice. Identify friction points across GST tribunals, High Court tax benches, and appellate systems.
• Convert: Turn research into reform pathways—simpler structures, faster resolution timelines, and more predictable outcomes.
• Integrate: Ensure the new vertical strengthens Daksh institutionally, rather than running as a parallel track.

3. Research, Impact & Policy Influence

• Evidence first: Oversee rigorous, data-backed research across the judiciary and tax litigation ecosystem.
• Policy influence: Translate research into actionable recommendations and credible engagement with policymakers and institutions.
• Measurement: Build benchmarks and frameworks that allow progress to be tracked over time.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Ecosystem Leadership

• Government & Judiciary: Build on Daksh trusted relationships with senior policymakers and judges at central and state levels.
• Private sector: Partner with industry bodies, corporate counsels, and practitioners to ensure relevance and uptake.
• Convene: Act as a bridge between judiciary, tax authorities, and businesses to co-create solutions.

5. Fundraising & Sustainability

• Resource mobilisation: Lead fundraising across HNIs, philanthropic foundations, and CSR channels.
• Fund the new vertical: Secure seed and long-term funding for Commercial Tax and Related Disputes as a national priority.
• Donor stewardship: Maintain transparent, outcome-driven relationships that support long-term sustainability.

6. Organisational Leadership

• Build leaders: Attract, mentor, and retain high-performing teams. Set a culture of ownership, excellence, and innovation.
• Run the institution: Ensure strong governance, financial discipline, and regulatory compliance.

What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months) These are indicative outcomes and will be refined with the incoming CEO in the first 60–90 days.

• Clarity: A clear strategy and annual plan across portfolios, with visible priorities and trade-offs.
• Launch: Commercial Tax & Disputes vertical launched with defined thesis, workplan, and early outputs.
• Credibility: Stronger ecosystem engagement across judiciary, government, and industry.
• Sustainability: A stronger funding pipeline and donor confidence in outcomes.
• Team: A stable senior leadership team and sharper internal execution rhythm.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 25+ years of professional experience, including senior leadership roles
• Proven success in institution building, scaling organisations, or leading complex multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Strong familiarity with commercial law, tax policy, regulatory reform, or the judicial system is preferred

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic Thinker: Converts big ideas into executable plans.
• Intellectually Curious: Deep commitment to justice reform and economic outcomes.
• Influential Communicator: Comfortable engaging senior government and judicial leaders.
• Entrepreneurial: Hands-on, adaptable, and driven to build from zero to scale.
• Outcome-oriented: Focused on measurable progress, not just output volume.
• Clarity + prioritisation: Can make clear trade-offs while running Daksh and building the new vertical.

Education

• Advanced degree in Law, Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related fields preferred

Why Join Daksh?

You will shape a critical pillar of India's economic and institutional future. As CEO, you will:

• Lead a respected national institution
• Pioneer India's next wave of legal–economic reform research
• Work with top policymakers, jurists, industry leaders, and global experts

Few roles offer this level of impact across justice, governance, and economic growth.

Daksh