Associate Director

**COMPANY DESCRIPTION**

Singapore Management University is a place where high-level professionalism blends together with a healthy informality. The 'family-like' atmosphere among the SMU community fosters a culture where employees work, plan, organise and play together building a strong collegiality and morale within the university.

Our commitment to attract and retain talent is ongoing. We offer attractive benefits and welfare, competitive compensation packages, and generous professional development opportunities all to meet the work-life needs of our staff. No wonder, then, that SMU continues to be given numerous awards and recognition for its human resource excellence.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**
- This position is for Office of Industry Engagement (OIE).
- Establish an industry engagement governance framework to support the University's engagements, including but not limited to engagement policies and processes, negotiation guidelines, cost-benefit analyses, etc.
- Lead the coordination and enhancement of partnership related processes, such as working with internal administrators such as legal, research and tech transfer office to review and manage partnership and tech commercialization processes.
- Lead the establishment of a university-wide key account and database management system through thorough review of the University's current account management practices while ensuring the requirements and needs of the Office are met.
- Develop strategies that can best enhance SMU's core competitive strengths and key value propositions to industry through close working relationships with all internal stakeholders.
- Lead, in collaboration with the Business Development team, industry fore-sighting and competitive landscape analyses to establish industry strategic priorities to recommend markets and sectors of interest to pursue.
- Formulate business and engagement strategies, to deliver innovative and creative partnership frameworks that broaden and deepen relationships and build strategic alliances that supports the goals of the University.
- Plan and organise regular internal stakeholders' updates to keep them abreast on the University's industry engagement priorities and developments.
- Oversee the reporting of OIE's annual budget and forecast review of OIE operations for OIE Director.
- Manage reporting to the University's senior management on Industry engagement activities for OIE Director. Management report will include updates, analysis, recommendations, project expectations, roadmaps, key deliverables, and quantifiable goals.
- Represent OIE, together or in lieu of the Director in high-level meetings, events, and official engagements.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- At least a Bachelor's degree; postgraduate degree would be an advantage.
- At least 12 years of relevant work experience required.
- Prior experience in management strategy and policy roles would be an advantage.
- Seasoned in business management, strategy, and governance.
- Leadership experience in leading and managing new offices, initiatives, or policies.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to network at all levels, across cultures and backgrounds.
- Strong knowledge and experience in the higher education industry sector.
- A proven track record in strategic planning.
- A strong understanding of national, regional, and global business growth trends and opportunities.
- Familiarity with other dimensions of industrial partnerships including intellectual property and technology transfer, government grants, grant and contract management, and philanthropic development.
- Outstanding written and communication skills, and a clear thinker and presenter.
- Possess creative problem-solving, multi-tasking and analytical abilities.
- Resourceful, independent worker and a team player, with strong collaborative and influencing skills that enables collaboration with a wide range of partners.

**OTHER INFORMATION**
LI-ST1