Dr. Saurabh Sharma

Director – Strategy & Branding

SRM Group of Institutions (Tiruchirappalli & Chennai Ramapuram)

2024 - Present

• Leading institutional branding, strategic communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement across 19 educational institutions and 10 business units, spanning Medical, Engineering, Dental, Nursing, AHS, S&H, Arts & Science, and administrative verticals. Responsible for strengthening institutional reputation, admissions growth, and long-term brand positioning across the SRM ecosystem. Key Contributions & Impact • Driving enterprise-wide brand transformation by establishing a unified brand identity and standardizing communication across digital platforms, publications, campus assets, and promotional materials. • Leading admissions and growth marketing initiatives through targeted communication campaigns and storytelling-led strategies that enhance programme visibility and stakeholder engagement. • Revitalizing digital presence through innovative content ecosystems, including podcasts, faculty showcases, student testimonials, and interactive storytelling. • Strengthening institutional reputation and thought leadership by amplifying academic achievements, positioning leadership voices, and enhancing media visibility. • Specializing in organic digital growth strategies, leveraging content marketing, search visibility, social engagement, and community-building approaches to create sustainable long-term brand equity while significantly reducing dependency on paid promotions and recurring marketing expenditure. • Representing SRM Group of Institutions at numerous national and international forums, conferences, summits, and panel discussions as a speaker and institutional representative, creating significant visibility for the institution and reinforcing its standing among academic, industry, and policy stakeholders. • Building strategic academic and industry partnerships, including international outreach across Dubai, Malaysia, and Ireland, reinforcing SRM’s standing as a preferred global education destination. • Enhancing campus identity and student engagement through experiential branding initiatives, including the successful launch of RASRANG, SRM’s flagship cultural festival. • Managing public affairs and institutional relations with key regulatory bodies including UGC, AICTE, DST, DBT, and NAAC, while fostering strong collaborations with government, media, and industry stakeholders.

Marketing Executive

Bharti Waters

2025

Sr. Account Manager

Rashtriya Advertising Agency (Prabhatam Advertising Ltd.)

2025

Assistant Manager, Marketing

Asian Ad Age

2025

Account Head

Tropics Advertising Pvt. Ltd.

2025

Additional Director – Central Administrative Cell

Lovely Professional University, Punjab

2023 - 2024

• Led strategic communications, branding, media engagement, and stakeholder relations for university leadership and institutional initiatives. Key Achievements • Designed branding and PR strategies to strengthen institutional reputation and leadership visibility. • Represented the university at selected national forums and stakeholder engagements, contributing to broader institutional outreach and relationship-building efforts. • Managed government and political relations aligned with university priorities. • Developed CSR and external engagement initiatives to enhance public image. • Delivered lectures on Branding, Marketing, and Personality Development. • Supported leadership communication, high-level event planning, and media interactions to ensure consistent messaging and enhanced institutional prominence.

Director

Terafence Private Limited

2021 - 2023

• Led business growth, strategic partnerships, and government relations for Cybersecurity, SD-WAN, AI, and IoT initiatives across ministries and enterprise sectors. Key Achievements • Managed strategic engagements across Defence, Petroleum, BFSI, and public sector clients. • Strengthened market positioning and operational excellence through cross-functional leadership.

President

Goldmine Advertising Ltd., New Delhi

2018 - 2021

• Led strategic consulting and communications for major public-sector and development projects. Delivered projects worth $170million. Key Achievements • Secured and managed World Bank consulting assignments. • Served as consultant to Ernst & Young for TOR and RFP development. • Directed communication strategy for large-scale social impact campaigns.

Director

Adwit India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

2010 - 2018

• Led regional operations, strategic business development, and high-value client engagement across government and corporate sectors. Key Achievements • Delivered projects worth ₹450 Crores. • Managed campaigns for ministries, PSUs, Maharatna/Navratna companies, and political stakeholders. • Expanded organizational footprint through new office launches and regional growth initiatives.

Account Director

Digital Drikwood Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

2007 - 2010

• Played a key role in establishing and scaling the company’s Delhi operations, driving strategic client acquisition, integrated brand campaigns, and business expansion across corporate sectors. Key Achievements • Generated ₹55+ Crores in business over three years. • Managed brand campaigns across Print, PR, Digital, Events, and Exhibitions. • Built and serviced marquee clients across banking, consumer, and lifestyle sectors. • Led innovative digital initiatives including early-stage online campaigns and location-based marketing solutions.

B.A. (Economics)

Kurukshetra University

2025

Diploma in Public Relations

Brentwood College

2025

Ph.D. in Adver:sing, Marketing & Communications

Dunster Business School, Switzerland

2025

Executive Programme in ML & AI for Business

IIM Jammu

2025

Master of Marketing Technology

Kurukshetra University

2025

Diploma in Information System Management

APTECH

2025