Assistant Director, Communications and Public Engagement

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

Job summary

IMDA in Singapore is seeking a seasoned communications leader to drive BTG’s narrative across emerging technologies. You will shape brand identity, manage multi-stakeholder engagement, and coordinate cross-agency communications to support national interests and public understanding.

Key responsibilities include developing compelling stories for policymakers, industry, media and the public; leading crisis communications when needed; and mentoring the BTG team to elevate public engagement and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, public engagement or marketing.
• Proven multi-agency stakeholder management and public engagement experience.
• Ability to engage senior stakeholders and provide candid, well-reasoned counsel.
• Strong narrative development to translate emerging tech into messaging.
• Analytical with experience measuring communications metrics and using data to refine strategy.
• Deep experience in media relations with familiarity pitching local and international/business media.
• Experience in crisis communications and coordinating across stakeholders is an advantage.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and executive presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop evidence-based narratives to raise awareness of BTG’s work in the emerging technology space.
• Establish and manage the brand identity and positioning for BTG’s emerging technology portfolio, including the Punggol Digital District robotics precinct.
• Represent IMDA in cross-agency communications functions related to the BTG portfolio and coordinate priorities across agencies.
• Lead stakeholder management and communications coordination for the Punggol Digital District and other BTG projects.
• Identify and optimise digital and social media channels to maximise reach across IMDA and partners.
• Drive and implement public engagement strategy and foster collaboration and joint accountability.
• Establish monitoring and reporting routines to track sentiment, reach, and engagement with data-driven insights.
• Develop shared playbooks, messaging guides, and engagement templates to raise baseline engagement quality.
• Mentor team members to elevate communications and public engagement capabilities.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public engagement

Stakeholder management

Media relations

Crisis communications

Job description

[What the role is]

IMDA is spearheading Singapore’s drive to be a world-leading Digital Economy. Within IMDA, the BizTech Group (BTG) drives innovation and adoption across emerging technologies, including robotics and quantum communications, to advance Singapore’s digital future.

[What you will be working on]

• Develop a compelling, evidence-based narrative to drive awareness and understanding of BTG’s work in the emerging technology space. Translate complex technology concepts into compelling, accessible stories for policymakers, industry, media, and the public, while considering national interests, public perception and partner sentiments.
• Establish and manage the brand identity and positioning for BTG's emerging technology portfolio, including the Punggol Digital District robotics precinct. Develop co-branding and messaging frameworks — including a message house that serves BTG's broader portfolio — to ensure consistency and synergies across different organisational voices, while allowing partners to amplify the narrative authentically.
• Represent IMDA in cross-agency communications functions related to the BTG portfolio, serving as the primary communications interface between IMDA and partner agencies, industry stakeholders, and academia. Lead coordination on communications priorities, narrative alignment, and joint engagement efforts across the Punggol Digital District precinct and other BTG projects.
• Lead stakeholder management and communications coordination for the Punggol Digital District, managing relationships with precinct partners, aligning messaging timelines, and brokering communications decisions across a complex multi-stakeholder environment. Ensure that partner communications are coherent, timely, and consistent with IMDA's broader narrative.
• Identify and optimise digital and social media channels to maximise reach, leveraging platforms within IMDA as well as partners’ channels.
• Drive and implement public engagement strategy, fostering a culture of collegiality, seamless collaboration and joint accountability.
• Establish monitoring and reporting routines to track sentiment, reach, and engagement. Use data-driven insights to manage communications, mitigate emerging risks, recommend course corrections, and provide evidence-based counsel to senior leadership across collaborating agencies. In the event of an incident or reputational risk, lead the development and execution of crisis communications responses, working swiftly across internal and external stakeholders to manage public perception and protect organisational trust.
• Develop shared playbooks, messaging guides, and engagement templates that raise the baseline quality of engagement across BTG.
• Mentor and guide team members to elevate communications and public engagement capabilities for BTG.

[What we are looking for]

• At least 15 years of relevant experience in strategic communications, public relations, public engagement or marketing.
• Proven track record in multi-agency stakeholder management (including industry and academia) and public engagement frameworks.
• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, with the confidence and judgement to provide candid, well-reasoned counsel.
• Strong narrative development skills with the ability to understand needs of the business units and translate complex emerging tech into clear messaging.
• Analytically minded, with experience setting and tracking communications metrics and using data to back strategy refinement.
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• Deep experience in media relations, with familiarity pitching local and international/business media.
• Comfortable operating in a matrixed environment, with the ability to build credibility and manage relationships across multiple organisational teams simultaneously.
• Experience in crisis communications, including developing response frameworks, managing media enquiries under pressure, and coordinating across stakeholders during sensitive or high-profile situations, is an advantage.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and executive presentation skills.

Position will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.