Assistant Director (Innovation)

Ministry of Defence of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Defence of Singapore seeks an experienced leader to drive organisational innovation and transformational change across business functions. You will shape strategies through human-centred design, emerging technologies, and data-driven insights, championing adoption while managing communications and implementing change initiatives to scale solutions and boost operational effectiveness.

You will lead development of digital roadmaps, oversee labs and hackathons, and build partnerships to

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience in innovation management, digital transformation, and organisational change.
• Knowledge of design methodologies, digital strategy, agile processes, and change psychology.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional teams on complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Understanding of public sector transformation challenges and regulatory environments is advantageous.
• Strong communication, presentation, and business acumen to translate concepts into strategic value.
• Self-driven, team player with stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish partnerships and frameworks to accelerate solution development and technology transfer.
• Develop comprehensive digital innovation roadmaps and change management frameworks.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of innovation initiatives and provide regular reports to stakeholders.
• Oversee innovation labs, hackathons, and rapid prototyping using agile methods and design thinking.
• Identify emerging technologies and digital trends for enhancing employee experience.
• Develop multi-channel communication strategies to promote an innovation culture.
• Establish digital knowledge-sharing platforms and communities of practice to facilitate cross-functional collaboration.
• Represent MINDEF/SAF at industry conferences and public sector transformation events.

Skills

Innovation management

Digital transformation

Organisational change

Design methodologies

Agile processes

Change psychology

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

What The Role Is

You lead organisational innovation and drive transformational change across business functions. You will shape innovation strategies through human-centred design, emerging technologies, and data-driven insights, championing adoption while managing stakeholder communications and implementing change management initiatives to scale solutions and enhance operational effectiveness.

What The Role Is

You lead organisational innovation and drive transformational change across business functions. You will shape innovation strategies through human-centred design, emerging technologies, and data-driven insights, championing adoption while managing stakeholder communications and implementing change management initiatives to scale solutions and enhance operational effectiveness.

What You Will Be Working On

• Establish partnerships and frameworks to accelerate solution development and technology transfer
• Develop comprehensive digital innovation roadmaps and change management frameworks
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of innovation initiatives and provide regular reports to stakeholders
• Oversee innovation labs, hackathons, and rapid prototyping initiatives using agile methodologies and design thinking principles
• Identify emerging technologies and digital trends for enhancing employee experience
• Develop multi-channel communication strategies to promote innovation culture
• Establish digital knowledge-sharing platforms and communities of practice to facilitate cross-functional collaboration
• Represent MINDEF/SAF at industry conferences and public sector transformation events

Challenge(s)

• Navigating the complexity of organisational transformation in a regulated defence environment, while balancing innovation speed with risk management
• Bridging traditional organisational structures and modern innovation practices to facilitate cultural evolution
• Establishing MINDEF/SAF as a thought leader in public sector digital innovation through strategic partnerships and knowledge sharing

What We Are Looking For

• At least 8 years of relevant experience in innovation management, digital transformation, and organisational change, with proven track record in change management, including culture transformation and digital adoption strategies
• Deep knowledge in design methodologies, digital strategy, agile processes, and change psychology
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing cross-functional teams with strong programme management skills across complex, multi-stakeholder innovation initiatives
• Understanding of public sector transformation challenges and regulatory environments would be advantageous
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities with business acumen to translate technical concepts into strategic business value
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Self-driven individual and a team player

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.