Assistant Manager/Manager (NUS Cities)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

NUS Cities, the interdisciplinary centre at the National University of Singapore, seeks a highly motivated Assistant Manager/Manager to support our growing portfolio of urban advisory projects.

You will work at the intersection of urban policy, planning, research, and international engagement, coordinating project design, stakeholder engagement, proposals, and knowledge exchange with governments and partners across Asia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in urban planning, public policy, sustainability, geography, international development, or a related field
• 5–10 years of relevant experience in government, international development, consulting, or academia
• 5–10 years of project management experience with strong coordination and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary, real-world urban issues with the ability to translate ideas into action
• Familiarity with Singapore’s urban development experience is a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of urban advisory projects across sustainability, governance, infrastructure, housing, and resilience
• Coordinate logistics and content for engagements with local and overseas governments and partners
• Develop proposals, concept notes, and marketing materials
• Conduct background research and policy scans to inform advisory work
• Collaborate with researchers and practitioners to develop city-specific solutions

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Proposal writing

Policy research

Urban planning

Interdisciplinary

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in urban planning or related field

Job description

NUS Cities is an interdisciplinary centre at the National University of Singapore that brings together research, education, and advisory expertise to address complex urban challenges. Anchored in Singapore’s urban development experience and backed by NUS’s academic strength, NUS Cities serves as a platform for integrated urban solutioning—linking global projects with real-world impact and knowledge exchange.

Through advisory work, NUS Cities provides urban policy and planning support to governments, cities, and partner institutions across Asia and beyond. Our work combines world‑class research with real‑world application, offering interdisciplinary solutions to complex urban challenges. Drawing on Singapore’s experience and NUS’s academic depth, our advisory engagements span policy and governance diagnostics, planning and design support, urban strategy development, and institutional capability building.

We work closely with global development partners, governments, and industry players to co‑create solutions for liveable, sustainable, and inclusive cities. We take a systems‑based approach, with a strong focus on practical outcomes, stakeholder alignment, and long‑term capacity development.

NUS Cities is seeking a highly motivated and versatile Assistant Manager/Manager to support our growing portfolio of urban advisory projects. You will work at the intersection of urban policy, planning, research, and international engagement, contributing to initiatives that position Singapore and NUS as thought leaders in sustainable, inclusive, and liveable cities.

Responsibilities:

1. Project Management

• Lead the design and delivery of urban advisory projects in areas such as sustainability, governance, infrastructure & housing, urban resilience, and economic development
• Assist in developing and implementing training programmes, workshops, and study visits with local and overseas governments and partners
• Coordinate the logistics and content preparation for such engagements

2. Business Development

• Manage stakeholder engagement, work planning, reporting, and documentation for ongoing work with city governments, international organizations, development institutions, and partners
• Help cultivate on new opportunities for advisory and capability development work
• Lead the preparation of proposals, concept notes, and marketing materials
• Maintain contact databases and assist with stakeholder follow‑up and relationship management

3. Research and Analysis

• Conduct background research and policy scans to inform advisory work
• Contribute to the preparation of technical content including case studies, frameworks, presentations, and reports
• Collaborate with researchers and practitioners for the development of diagnostic tools and city specific solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in urban planning, public policy, sustainability, geography, international development, or a related field
• Built environment professional background preferred
• 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in government, international development, consulting, or academia
• 5 to 10 years of project management experience with strong coordination and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary, real‑world urban issues, with the ability to translate ideas into action
• Familiarity with Singapore’s urban development experience is a plus