Deputy Director

NTU Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) is established to consolidate, synergise and coordinate all I&E related engagement, collaborations and communications across all Colleges, Schools and Innovation Drivers in NTU. NTU I&E aspires to translate NTU’s inventions and creativity into tangible outcomes that will result in economic growth and enhanced quality of life for Singapore and beyond. The Deputy Director (I&E Ecosystem Development) plays a critical role in advancing NTU’s mission to foster a vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem both within the university and across Singapore. This position is pivotal in driving strategic initiatives that support deep tech venture creation and entrepreneurship. The incumbent will lead the development, management, and operations of key initiatives aimed at cultivating deep tech talent and startups, while also building relationships with internal and external stakeholders. A key responsibility is overseeing a new national graduate innovation programme designed to create deep tech spinoffs from NTU and other institutions in Singapore.

Programme Design and Implementation- Develop and launch the graduate innovation programme structure, including curriculum, workshops, and mentoring sessions.- Collaborate with academic departments, industry experts, and venture capitalists to support entrepreneurial training.

Stakeholder Management- Engage with internal stakeholders (e.g., faculty, researchers) to identify potential deep tech projects with commercialisation potential.- Build and maintain partnerships with external stakeholders, including industry leaders, government agencies, investors, and startups.

Recruitment and Talent Development- Attract and select promising graduate students and researchers for participation in the programme.- Provide mentoring, resources, and networking opportunities to help participants develop their deep tech innovations.

Venture Creation Support- Facilitate access to incubation facilities, seed funding, and business development resources for participants.- Guide teams through the process of market validation, IP protection, and early-stage business development.

Monitoring and Reporting:
- Track programme progress and outcomes, such as the number of start-ups created, funding raised, or partnerships formed.- Prepare regular reports for university leadership and external stakeholders, outlining key achievements and future opportunities.

Community Engagement and Outreach- Establish and manage the networks that will enable programme participants to successfully identify, integrate, translate or assimilate know-how and technology into scable deep tech ventures.- Deepen relations and align stakeholders’ interests to ensure continuity of activities (e.g. downstream fundraising, incubation and venture building support)

Marketing and Communications- Develop engaging stories and publicity materials to showcase the achievements of the programme and initiatives in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Build a Vibrant and Resource Rich Ecosystem- Establish, manage the networks and provide resources that will complement the entrepreneurs, to successfully translate, integrate or assimilate know-how or technology into scalable businesses.- Leverage networking opportunities to expand and build the community of local professionals to be business and technical mentors in our network.- Deepen relationships and align stakeholders’ interests in I&E to ensure continuity of activities. (e.g. downstream fundraising, incubation and venture building support)

Any other ad-hoc initiatives and projects undertaken by the Office.

Requirements:
- A Bachelor’s/Master’s in the science or engineering discipline. Ph.D. and/or MBA would be considered favourably.- Proficient in building, developing and managing a multi-faceted innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem that fosters mutually beneficial relationships and sustainable growth for all stakeholders involved.- Current knowledge of entrepreneurial trends, both locally and globally.- Sound knowledge of company laws and regulations in Singapore will be a plus.- Good understanding of IP and technology commercialisation process especially how to build a business from an idea or early-stage technology.- Proven track record in programme management, including planning, budgeting, resource allocation, evaluation and reporting.- Prior experience in cultivating startups and built innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem that operated locally or globally.- At least 15 years of experience in a similar capacity and with demonstrated capability in team management.- Prior experience in identifying and managing aspiring entrepreneurs.- Ability to implement and lead with a clear strategic vision.- Excellent networking and relationship management skills.- Proficient in project management, including planning, budgeting, resource allocation, evaluation and reporting.-
- Resilient and adaptable, excelling in dy