Somak Ghoshal
New Delhi
Summary
Performance-driven multidisciplinary executive with 17 years of experience in content creation, learning design, communications and training solutions, catering to clients across sectors and geographies. A Gallup-certified strengths-based coach helping individuals and teams overcome workplace challenges and personal interferences to achieve their goals
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
4
4
Languages
Work History
Vice-President, Curriculum and Learning & Faculty In Residence; Lead, School for Managers
Harappa
New Delhi
04.2023 - Current
- Led creation of 4 flagship programs for the US market, focused on development of professional skills for employees at different tenure levels
- Lead curriculum design and co-lead delivery of the Women CXO Program
- Led curriculum design and co-lead delivery of BUiLD It, a program for women startup founders, in conjunction with CXXO, a Kalaari Capital initiative
- Facilitate online sessions as SME on communication and leadership skills for enterprise learners and cohorts at the Harappa School of Leadership
- Responsible for adding original content to Thriversity, Harappa's self-paced learning library
- Lead delivery of all programs under Harappa's School for Managers.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximising return on investments
Communications Specialist
Freelance
New Delhi
11.2021 - Current
- Write for acclaimed Indian and international publications on books, arts and culture
- Recent work has appeared in Mint Lounge, The Voice of Fashion, The Hindu, Open magazine, among others.
Director, Curriculum and Learning
Harappa
New Delhi
12.2021 - Current
- Oversaw design and delivery of self-paced courses, based on Harappa's Thrive Skills, i.e. cognitive, behavioral and social skills essential to excel in 21st-century workplaces
- Facilitated synchronous sessions as SME on writing and communication
- Built learning solutions for clients
- Led curriculum team that launched Harappa's B2C business on Harappa Learning App
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within Harappa
Consultant
LiveMint
Bengaluru
01.2018 - 10.2021
- Covered books, culture, lifestyle, workplace beats as senior reporter
- Planned, commissioned and edited several special editions end to end
- Mentored team of junior writers by setting goals and reviewing their output
- Launched and produced fortnightly
Senior Editor
HuffPost
Bengaluru
07.2016 - 11.2017
- Covered pan-India news and features, focused on India's South
- Launched, managed and grew Books vertical
- Developed comprehensive editorial calendars, aligning content strategy with business objectives
- Spearheaded initiatives to diversify content offerings, reaching new audiences and increasing reader engagement levels
- Managed team of writers and junior editors to deliver accurate and engaging content
- Oversaw story pitches, assignments, final revisions and layouts
Managing Editor
HarperCollins Publishers India
Noida
11.2014 - 06.2016
- Commissioned and acquired ~ 25 non-fiction titles for HarperCollins India in genres like narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography, reportage, business and anthologies
- Worked on select list of fiction titles
- Managed P&L and co-created marketing campaigns
- Leveraged market research insights to shape editorial strategy specifically tailored to target audience preferences
Features Writer
LiveMint
New Delhi
12.2012 - 10.2014
- Commissioned, edited and wrote for Books vertical of Mint Lounge (weekly)
- Also contributed to culture, interviews, cover stories and news reports for daily edition
- Wrote two fortnightly blogs, one on publishing and the other on fine arts
- Recorded fortnightly vlog on books and publishing
Commissioning Editor, Literary Fiction
Penguin Random House UK
New Delhi
12.2011 - 11.2012
- Commissioned and acquired literary 20+ fiction and non-fiction for PBI
- Managed P&L and GMs on each title effectively
- Authors included: M.G Vassanji, Anjan Sundaram, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Shyam Selvadurai, Aruni Kashyap, Shazaf Fatima Haider, Musharraf Ali Farooqi, Kalpana Swaminathan
- Multiple titles went into reprint and won awards
- Liaised with graphic designers to create visually appealing covers and layout
- Worked closely with sales and marketing teams to plan and launch successful promotional campaigns
Assistant Editor
ABP Group
Kolkata
09.2006 - 11.2011
- Was with opinion pages of The Telegraph (Calcutta), which included edit, oped, books and arts review pages
- Leader writer
- Other responsibilities included editing daily columns, proof-reading, conceptualizing and designing pages
- Reported on books, fine arts, music, politics and society
Education
Master's degree - English Language and Literature
University of Oxford
United Kingdom 01.2004 - 2006.04
Master of Arts - English
Jadavpur University
Kolkata 2002.01 - 2004.04
BA (Hons) - English, Sociology and Political Science
St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata
Kolkata 01.1999 - 2002.04
Skills
Communicationundefined
Websites
Affiliations
Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach
Issued Jan 2024-Expires Jan 2027
Credential ID 38172
Certification
Rhodes Scholarship
Publications
- 10 Indian Heroes who Help People Live with Dignity10 Indian Heroes who Help People Live with Dignity (Penguin Random House India, 2021)
- Piku's Little World (Pratham Books, 2019)
Timeline
Vice-President, Curriculum and Learning & Faculty In Residence; Lead, School for Managers
Harappa
04.2023 - Current
Director, Curriculum and Learning
Harappa
12.2021 - Current
Communications Specialist
Freelance
11.2021 - Current
Consultant
LiveMint
01.2018 - 10.2021
Senior Editor
HuffPost
07.2016 - 11.2017
Managing Editor
HarperCollins Publishers India
11.2014 - 06.2016
Features Writer
LiveMint
12.2012 - 10.2014
Commissioning Editor, Literary Fiction
Penguin Random House UK
12.2011 - 11.2012
Assistant Editor
ABP Group
09.2006 - 11.2011
Rhodes Scholarship
09-2004
Master's degree - English Language and Literature
University of Oxford
01.2004 - 2006.04
BA (Hons) - English, Sociology and Political Science
St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata
01.1999 - 2002.04
Master of Arts - English
Jadavpur University
2002.01 - 2004.04
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