Assistant Director, Capability & Industry — Design & Innovation

Republic Polytechnic; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Republic Polytechnic is seeking an Assistant Director (Capability & Industry) to drive consultancy, applied research, IP development, and external industry engagement for the School of Technology for Arts, Media and Design in Singapore.

The role leads development and execution of strategies to strengthen staff capability, grow consultancy activity, and expand industry relevance beyond the traditional creative sector.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in arts, media, design, creative technologies, business, engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant professional experience in business development, industry partnerships, consultancy, applied research, innovation or related industry-facing roles.
• Demonstrated success in capability development, consultancy growth, applied research, intellectual property development, industry engagement and stakeholder partnership development.
• Proven experience translating creative or design-led strengths into industry-relevant solutions for non-Arts, Design and Media sector organizations.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead consultancy, applied research, and industry engagement initiatives to strengthen the School’s industry-facing capabilities and impact.
• Develop and implement functional strategies, policies, and frameworks to drive sustainable growth and measurable impact.
• Address novel and complex challenges by integrating creative, arts, design, and media perspectives and disciplines with industry needs.
• Drive the identification, structuring, and delivery of consultancy and applied research projects, including opportunities to generate intellectual property particularly with non-creative industry and government partners.
• Identify and pursue collaborative projects with industry partners, developing tailored solutions that draw on STA’s strengths in digital media solutions, immersive experiences, design-led innovation, and Designing Your Life facilitation.
• Enhance consultancy models, processes, and service quality by applying best practices to improve intellectual property and revenue generation, and project outcomes.
• Coach and mentor staff, building School-wide capability in consultancy delivery, industry-facing research, and professional practice.
• Lead upskilling initiatives and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to address skill gaps.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with corporates, agencies, research institutions, and solution providers.
• Influence School and institutional leaders to adopt new approaches and priorities, and negotiate with external partners to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Work across functions and schools to align resources, manage dependencies, and optimise results, exercising autonomy and sound judgement.

Skills

Industry partnerships

Consultancy leadership

Applied research

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant qualification in arts, media, design, creative technologies, business, engineering or related discipline

Job description

Republic Polytechnic is seeking an Assistant Director (Capability & Industry) to drive consultancy, applied research, IP development, and external industry engagement for the School of Technology for Arts, Media and Design in Singapore.

The role leads development and execution of strategies to strengthen staff capability, grow consultancy activity, and expand industry relevance beyond the traditional creative sector.