The Indian leather industry association, Council for Leather Exports (CLE) issued a fresh vacancy notification on April 16, 2026 for the post of Executive Director to be based in Delhi or Chennai, as it appears they have still not found a suitable candidate months after first announcing the role in November 2025, before the outgoing Executive Director’s tenure ended on April 8, 2026.
Council for Leather Exports, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is hiring one Executive Director in the pay scale equivalent to Deputy Secretary to the Government of India (GOI) at Level 12 under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.
The post is non-ministerial and will be filled through direct recruitment, deputation, internal promotion or contract including retired government officers.
Candidates who applied earlier on November 15, 2025 must apply again as previous applications will not be considered says CLE.
The selection will be done by the Committee of Administration (CoA) members, CLE based on recommendations of a Selection Committee after evaluating background and interview performance.
Internal candidates must be below 57 years as on January 1, 2026, hold a postgraduate degree in Economics, Commerce, Engineering, Business Administration or be a Chartered Accountant and have at least 5 years of service in Associate Director, Deputy Director or Regional Director rank at Level 11. Their tenure will be 3 years, extendable by 2 years, and they will continue in their existing pay scale.
For deputation, candidates must have 5 years in Level 11 roles in Central or State Government or autonomous bodies. Applicants in higher grades up to ₹10,000 GP can also be considered if no suitable candidate is found. The age limit is 56 years.
They must have knowledge of trade policy, WTO, trade agreements and experience working with Commerce and Finance Ministries and senior state officials. Applications must be routed through proper channel with last 5 years ACR, vigilance clearance, integrity certificate and cadre clearance.
Open market candidates must be under 47 years as on January 1, 2026, with a postgraduate degree and at least 15 years in senior roles in trade promotion bodies, EPCs, PSUs or private sector.
Government and PSU candidates must have 5 years in Level 11, while private sector applicants must earn at least ₹30 lakh (~USD 32,000) CTC.
Desirable experience includes trade promotion in Europe or USA, financial and secretarial management and industry coordination. The contract is for 3 years, extendable by 2 years, and can be terminated with one month notice or salary.
Retired IAS officers not below Joint Secretary rank can apply up to 62 years, with tenure of 3 years extendable up to age 65. Remuneration will be consolidated based on experience.
The Executive Director will function under the control of the Committee of Administration (CoA), oversee overall administration, supervise officers and report directly to the Chairman, CLE.
Applications must be submitted within 30 days from April 16, 2026, making the deadline before May 16, 2026, via email to chairman@cleindia.com along with required documents. Hard copies must be sent to the Chairman, Council for Leather Exports, 1B, 1st Floor, Duckback House, 41 Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata 700017.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NOTIFICATION
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