Deputy Director, Sector Finance Insights & Partnering

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR Research in Singapore seeks a senior finance leader to oversee sector finance insights, FP&A, budgeting and governance across RI teams.

You will partner with RI Executive Directors, drive multi-year planning, scenario analysis and performance dashboards using SAP and data analytics. The role demands strong leadership, stakeholder management and the ability to navigate a fast-paced research environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline; professional qualification preferred.
• Proven track record in a senior finance leadership role.
• Strong experience in FP&A, forecasting, finance business partnering and governance.
• Ability to translate complex financial data into clear insights for senior management.

Responsibilities

• Lead sector FP&A, annual and multi-year planning and forecasting.
• Provide scenario analysis, financial evaluation and risk assessment of key initiatives.
• Oversee All-Funds grant execution and budget management per FPAA.
• Promote financial stewardship and effective resource utilisation across Sector and RI teams.
• Lead and develop the Sector Finance Insights & Partnering team and collaborate with RI leadership.

Skills

Strategic finance leadership

FP&A and forecasting

Stakeholder management

Financial governance

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

CA/CPA preferred

Tools

SAP

Data analytics tools

Automation

Data visualization

Financial modelling tools

Job description

• Sector Finance Insights & Decision Support
• Serve as a trusted financial adviser to Sector and RI leadership, providing forward-looking insights to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Provide scenario analysis, financial evaluation and risk assessment for key initiatives, including Industry Collaboration Agreements (ICAs), Competitive Grants and major research and business activities.
• Identify emerging financial trends, risks and opportunities, translating analysis into clear and actionable management recommendations.
• Lead annual and multi-year financial planning and forecasting across the Sector, providing an integrated view of funding, resource requirements and financial outlook.
• Support Sector and RI leadership in prioritising and allocating resources towards organisational and research priorities.
• Oversee All-Funds grant execution and budget management, including budget virements, in accordance with Financial Policies & Approving Authorities (FPAA).
• Promote strong financial stewardship and effective utilisation of resources across the Sector and RIs.
• Performance Insights, Analytics & Finance Integration
• Lead the development of Sector-level financial and performance insights by integrating information across RIs, Finance and corporate functions.
• Drive forecasting, scenario analysis, dashboards and analytical capabilities to provide early visibility of risks, opportunities and resource requirements.
• Strengthen the use of financial and operational data to support consolidated forecasts, performance discussions and management decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvement in the quality, consistency and effectiveness of financial insights and analytics across Finance and RI teams.
• Financial Governance & Operational Stewardship
• Uphold sound financial governance, internal controls and fiduciary discipline across the Sector and RIs, ensuring compliance with financial policies and approving authorities.
• Support RI audit and governance requirements, including relevant RI audit committee meetings.
• Lead the Resource Personnel (RP) team in ensuring appropriate manpower cost charging and supporting manpower planning with HR Planners and RI DCS.
• Finance Partnering Leadership & Capability Development
• Lead, mentor and develop RI Finance Controllers as effective finance partners to their respective RI Executive Directors and leadership teams.
• Lead and develop the Sector Finance Insights & Partnering team, building capabilities in financial insights, planning and forecasting, commercial and financial acumen, analytics and stakeholder engagement.
• Foster strong collaboration across RIs, Sector leadership and the wider Finance community.
• Build a proactive finance partnering culture focused on anticipating issues, generating insights and enabling better management decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Sector Finance Insights & Decision Support
• Serve as a trusted financial adviser to Sector and RI leadership, providing forward-looking insights to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Provide scenario analysis, financial evaluation and risk assessment for key initiatives, including Industry Collaboration Agreements (ICAs), Competitive Grants and major research and business activities.
• Identify emerging financial trends, risks and opportunities, translating analysis into clear and actionable management recommendations.
• Lead annual and multi-year financial planning and forecasting across the Sector, providing an integrated view of funding, resource requirements and financial outlook.
• Support Sector and RI leadership in prioritising and allocating resources towards organisational and research priorities.
• Oversee All-Funds grant execution and budget management, including budget virements, in accordance with Financial Policies & Approving Authorities (FPAA).
• Promote strong financial stewardship and effective utilisation of resources across the Sector and RIs.
• Performance Insights, Analytics & Finance Integration
• Lead the development of Sector-level financial and performance insights by integrating information across RIs, Finance and corporate functions.
• Drive forecasting, scenario analysis, dashboards and analytical capabilities to provide early visibility of risks, opportunities and resource requirements.
• Strengthen the use of financial and operational data to support consolidated forecasts, performance discussions and management decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvement in the quality, consistency and effectiveness of financial insights and analytics across Finance and RI teams.
• Financial Governance & Operational Stewardship
• Uphold sound financial governance, internal controls and fiduciary discipline across the Sector and RIs, ensuring compliance with financial policies and approving authorities.
• Support RI audit and governance requirements, including relevant RI audit committee meetings.
• Lead the Resource Personnel (RP) team in ensuring appropriate manpower cost charging and supporting manpower planning with HR Planners and RI DCS.
• Finance Partnering Leadership & Capability Development
• Lead, mentor and develop RI Finance Controllers as effective finance partners to their respective RI Executive Directors and leadership teams.
• Lead and develop the Sector Finance Insights & Partnering team, building capabilities in financial insights, planning and forecasting, commercial and financial acumen, analytics and stakeholder engagement.
• Foster strong collaboration across RIs, Sector leadership and the wider Finance community.
• Build a proactive finance partnering culture focused on anticipating issues, generating insights and enabling better management decisions.

Requirements

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline. A professional accounting qualification such as CA, CPA or equivalent is preferred.
• Proven track record in a senior finance leadership role, with experience partnering senior business or organisational leaders.
• Strong experience in FP&A, financial planning and forecasting, finance business partnering, financial management or finance transformation.
• Strong analytical capability with demonstrated ability to translate complex financial and operational information into meaningful insights and recommendations for senior management.
• Strong understanding of financial governance, internal controls and resource management.
• Demonstrated leadership, stakeholder management and influencing capabilities, with the ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.
• Experience leading and developing finance teams and building strong finance partnering capabilities.
• Knowledge of SAP and experience with data analytics, automation, data visualisation and financial modelling tools would be advantageous.
• Ability to anticipate emerging challenges, navigate ambiguity and organisational change, and independently drive outcomes in a complex and fast-paced environment.