Assistant Director (Innovation)

Ministry of Defence of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government defense agency in Singapore is looking for an experienced leader to manage and scale innovation initiatives across the defense ecosystem. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in innovation program management and possess strong strategic thinking and communication skills. Responsibilities include leading innovation strategy and building partnerships across government agencies to drive capability development.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience in innovation programme management or defence operations.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Experience in funding management.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation strategy and spearhead initiatives.
• Shape innovation challenges with technology investment.
• Build strategic partnerships across the government ecosystem.

Skills

Innovation programme management

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Funding management

Decision making under pressure

Proactive approach

Resilient approach

Job description

What The Role Is

You lead MINDEF/SAF's innovation strategy and thought leadership, scaling innovation initiatives across the defence ecosystem and building strategic partnerships to accelerate capability development.

What You Will Be Working On

• Lead innovation strategy and spearhead innovation initiatives
• Shape innovation challenges with our technology investment arm, Cap Vista Pte Ltd (CVPL)
• Build strategic partnerships across the Whole-of-Government (WoG) innovation ecosystem—including Enterprise Singapore (ESG), National Research Foundation (NRF), Economic Development Board (EDB), and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs)
• Collaborate with DSTA and DSO to accelerate the translation of dual-use solutions
• Manage innovation-whitespace funding to fuel experimentation and prototyping
  
  
  

Challenge(s)

• Navigating federated innovation landscape
• Sustaining momentum in fast-changing environment
• Translating promising technologies
• Managing culture change at scale
  
  
  

What We Are Looking For

• At least 8 years of experience in innovation programme management, transformation leadership, defence operations o capability development
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills
• Funding management expertise
• Stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Ability to decide under pressure
• Proactive, pragmatic, and resilient approach
  
  
  

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.