Community & Guest Partnerships Manager (Podcast & Diaspora Community)

Job Title

Community & Guest Partnerships Manager (Podcast & Diaspora Community)

Organization

Indianness – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to connecting and empowering the global Indian diaspora through storytelling, mentorship, and collaboration.

About Indianness

Indianness connects and empowers the global Indian diaspora by amplifying inspiring stories of leaders of Indian origin and creating opportunities for engagement, mentorship, and community impact. A core pillar of this mission is the Indianness Podcast, hosted by Sanjay Puri, which features exceptional Indian-origin leaders across business, healthcare, education, NGOs, politics, and beyond, reaching tens of thousands of subscribers and hundreds of thousands of views worldwide

Indianness is now entering its next phase: converting podcast momentum into a vibrant, engaged global community.

Role Summary

The Community & Guest Partnerships Manager will own two tightly connected functions:

1. Guest Recruitment & Relationship Management for the Indianness Podcast
2. Community Building & Engagement by transforming podcast guests, listeners, and partners into an active, values-driven global diaspora community

This role is ideal for someone who is equal parts relationship-builder, community architect, and disciplined operator.

Key Responsibilities

1. Podcast Guest Recruitment & Management

• Identify, research, and recruit high-impact podcast guests aligned with Indianness’s mission (leaders in business, policy, academia, social impact, healthcare, arts, etc.).
• Manage end-to-end guest outreach: initial contact, follow-ups, scheduling, and coordination with the podcast production team.
• Build and maintain a structured guest pipeline and CRM.
• Serve as the primary relationship owner for podcast guests before, during, and after episodes.
• Ensure a diverse, global, and cross-generational representation of the Indian diaspora.

2. Guest-to-Community Conversion

• Design and execute strategies to convert podcast guests into:
• Community members
• Mentors, speakers, advisors, or collaborators
• Contributors to events, panels, and initiatives
• Develop post-episode engagement journeys (welcome flows, invitations, curated introductions).
• Create lightweight “guest alumni” and “friends of Indianness” engagement models.

3. Community Building & Engagement

• Help build and nurture an engaged global community around Indianness’s mission.
• Develop community programs such as:
• Virtual roundtables and salons
• Mentorship circles
• Fireside chats and small group discussions
• Support the growth of a values-based, high-trust community that blends storytelling, mentorship, and collaboration.
• Work closely with the Indianness leadership to shape early community norms, rituals, and engagement models.

4. Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

• Identify and cultivate partnerships with organizations, networks, universities, and diaspora groups aligned with Indianness.
• Collaborate on co-hosted events, cross-promotion, and community initiatives.
• Act as a relationship steward for key ecosystem partners.

5. Operations, Tracking & Reporting

• Track key metrics: guest outreach, conversion rates, community engagement, and participation.
• Maintain organized systems for contacts, communications, and follow-ups.
• Provide regular updates and insights to leadership on what’s working and where to iterate.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• 5+ year’s experience in community building, partnerships, media, nonprofits, or ecosystem roles.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Experience recruiting speakers, guests, or partners for podcasts, events, or platforms.
• Deep interest in (or lived experience within) the global Indian diaspora.
• Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable working in an early-stage, evolving environment.

Preferred

• Experience with podcasts, content platforms, or media-led communities.
• Familiarity with CRM tools, community platforms, or newsletters.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations or mission-driven initiatives.
• Comfort engaging senior leaders, founders, academics, and public figures.

What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)

• A consistent, high-quality pipeline of podcast guests.
• Clear systems for guest follow-up and long-term engagement.
• Tangible conversion of guests and listeners into community members, mentors, and collaborators.
• Early community programs with meaningful participation and repeat engagement.
• Strong relationships across the global Indian diaspora ecosystem.

Role Details

• Type: Full-time
• Location: Remote (with global time-zone flexibility)
• Reports to: Podcast Producer

Why This Role Matters

This is a foundational role. The Community & Guest Partnerships Manager will directly shape how Indianness evolves from a successful podcast into a lasting global diaspora institution.