Program Manager

[What the role is]

Introduction to ICAI

The International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI) is set up to drive innovation across all aspect of aviation including Air Traffic Management, smart & digital airports, sustainable aviation and unmanned systems. As the first-of-its-kind innovation centre in Asia, the Centre seeks to foster partnerships amongst governments, industry, and research institutes to drive development, deployment, and adoption of aviation technologies.

[What you will be working on]

We are looking for a Program Manager to oversee the end-to-end management of large and complex aviation-related programmes that will help expand the efficiency and capacity of aviation services in the region.

Job Scope:
a) Stakeholders Engagement, Needs Analysis and Information Gathering, Grant Administration
- Develop and maintain close partnerships with aviation stakeholders, including:

- Industry partners (e.g. OEMs, airlines, ground handling operators, airport operators)
- Research performers / Academia (e.g., IHLs, RIs and overseas research performers)
- Agencies (e.g., MOT, NRF, MPA, LTA).
- Engage airport stakeholders to identify problem statements that are related to addressing the aviation strategic and operational priorities.
- Implement and execute a needs assessment framework to prioritise the problem statements based on criteria related to impact of the proposed innovations, complexity and cost-benefits to implement possible solutions at scale.
- Conduct technology assessment, use-case analysis, business modelling and system design, to assess the feasibility and commercial viability of proposed concepts, components for make-buy, R&D enablers, and the likelihood of engaging local industry support.
- Conduct workshops to share innovation requirements and organise grant calls to solicit proposal from Universities and Research Institutes.
- Organise evaluation panels to review and award the proposals.
- Ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and terms and conditions of funding agencies.
- Manage and administer grant disbursements.
- Ensure proper records keeping to support the audit of grant disbursements on an annual basis, or when required.

b) Project Management
- Define high-level scope of project based on business needs and compliance requirements to meet the end-users’ and sponsors’ expectations.
- Perform key stakeholder analysis, prepare and execute stakeholder engagement plan.
- Identify and manage high-level risks, assumptions and constraints associated with a dynamic operating environment.
- Prepare and communicate Project Plan, WBS, Schedule, Risk Management, System Validation and Quality Assurance Plans, as required.
- Organize and conduct technical reviews, project demonstrations and field trials.
- Prepare and update project status to senior management and project sponsors.
- Guide and promote the filing of intellectual property on novel concepts that are developed.
- Negotiate intellectual property arrangements with research collaborators.
- Draft, negotiate and formalise partnership agreements, research collaboration agreements and other forms of contracts as required with collaborators.

[What we are looking for]

Competencies / Requirements
- Trained in computer science/electrical engineering/industrial system engineering or aviation-related studies.
- A minimum of 10 years in software development, ICT system development, robotics and automation or industrial system engineering is required.
- Experience in managing projects with budget of more than US$1M and team size of more than 10 people.
- Strong interpersonal skills in managing stakeholders across multiple sectors, including government entities, universities, research institutes, commercial companies and international partners.
- Experience in negotiating and drafting commercial contracts related to partnerships, research collaboration agreements, project agreements etc.
- Experience in managing R&D projects with IHLs and RIs.
- Experience in implementing and executing a structured project management process for R&D.
- Familiarity with system life-cycle development processes, waterfall and agile processes related to implementing AI/ML systems, modelling and simulation workflows.
- Proficient in programme management methods and tools in the engineering domain.
- Familiar with System Engineering and System Management practices.
- Familiar with generating project management insights via dashboards and analytics.
- PMP-certification or at least 5 years of project management experience is desirable.
- Experience in organising grant calls and administering grants would be a plus.
- Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English.