Deputy Director/Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Planning

Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore invites a strategic leader to join the Deputy Chief Executive Corporate Office. You will work with senior leadership to conceptualize and drive near-term initiatives and long-term programmes across corporate planning, governance, and digital transformation.

The role emphasizes turning policy into practical guidance, building data-driven insights, and delivering concise executive briefs.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in policy/governance, public administration, or corporate planning.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design and implement high-impact initiatives with senior leadership.
• Strengthen policy and governance frameworks across the organisation.
• Lead digital transformation, data insights and workflow automation initiatives.
• Craft concise executive communications and policy papers for decisions.
• Launch and benchmark service excellence initiatives and engagement platforms.
• Take on special assignments as required.

Skills

Teamwork & Leadership

Policy review & governance

Policy & governance translation

Written communication & synthesis

Judgement under pressure

Risk & governance balance

Contingency planning

Job description

What the role is:

Are you looking for a new exciting career in an organisation powering the scientific frontier of Singapore?Join the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), a world-class organization that propels Singapore's scientific and economic future. The Deputy Chief Executive Corporate Office (DCECO) is the architect of a dynamic, agile, and forward-looking corporate service that empowers our researchers to innovate. We are looking for a proactive leader to join our team.This is a rare opportunity to be a catalyst for change, working directly with senior leadership to conceptualize, design, and implement high-impact initiatives.

What you will be working on:

• Corporate Planning. Conceptualising near-term business initiatives and mid / long-term strategic projects with Corporate Group Divisions and other stakeholders to facilitate the achievement of Corporate Group's aims and objectives. Develop and Drive Corporate Group's strategic planning exercise including strategy workshops, work plans and development of objectives and key results. Bridging within and outside of Corporate Group to understand different views, drive conversations and influence outcomes towards a common goal.
• Policy & Governance. You will play a key role in strengthening A*STAR’s policy and governance frameworks. This includes reviewing policies, procedures and guidelines, assessing policy intent and implementation impact, and working with policy owners to ensure that policies remain clear, current, and enabling. Your work will help A*STAR strike the right balance between operational agility and sound governance.
• Digital Transformation, Data Insights & Workflow Innovation. You will be tasked to review inefficiencies in policies and workflows and spearhead the implementation of cutting-edge digitalization and automation solutions (including GenAI). You will transform raw data into compelling visual stories through dynamic dashboards and insightful analysis for data-informed decision making. Your mission (should you choose to accept it :)) is to build a client-centric, faster, and agile corporate environment for the future.
• Champion Service Excellence. You will be part of the team to design and launch service level surveys that act as a feedback engine for continuous improvement. The insights you gather will directly influence our strategy, helping us measure what matters and elevate the quality of our corporate services. You will be involved in benchmarking of corporate services and ensure A*STAR stays ahead of the curve and continuously innovates its operations.
• Executive Communication and internal engagement platforms. Craft and deliver high-impact, concise briefings to senior leadership and key stakeholders. You will be responsible for translating complex plans and data into clear policy papers and presentation that informs executive-level decisions. From designing culture shaping leadership retreats to producing dynamic townhalls, you will craft experiences that forge powerful connections, build alignment, in the entire A*STAR Corporate Group.
• Special Assignments. Deployed to projects that requires immediate, decisive action.

What we are looking for:

Required Skills and Experiences:

• At least 5 years of working experience in policy and governance, public administration, corporate planning, management consulting, or related roles.
• Teamwork and Leadership. Proven ability to build trust, inspire confidence, and lead team through complex planning processes.
• Demonstrated ability to review policies, governance frameworks and operating models, and translate implications into practical recommendations.
• Strong writing and synthesis skills, with the ability to produce clear papers, slides and briefings for senior management.
• Sound judgement in balancing agility, operational practicality, risk and governance.
• The capacity to maintain composure and perform under extreme pressure from tight deadlines.
• A keen mind that can anticipate issues and plans for contingency.

What you would gain by being part of Our Team:

• Growth Opportunities. This role is a proving ground for your career. You will gain exposure to senior leaders and diverse corporate functions. You would be encouraged to take on higher responsibilities in A*STAR.
• Culture of Innovation. Join a team that values creativity and embraces unconventional ideas.
• Policy and Governance Craft. Develop deep capabilities in policy review, governance design, stakeholder alignment and executive decision support, in an environment where governance must enable both speed and accountability.
• Adaptability. Fosters an incredible ability to adapt to dynamic situations and think creatively under pressure.
• Strategic Thinking and Pathfinding skills. You would be guided to analyze the implications of strategic decisions by the organisation and lead teams to complete projects without defined pathways.

About Agency for Science, Technology and Research

MISSION

We advance science and develop innovative technology to further economic growth and improve lives. The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) drives mission-oriented research that advances scientific discovery and technological innovation. We play a key role in nurturing and developing talent and leaders for our Research Institutes, the wider research community, and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore. As a Science and Technology Organisation, we bridge the gap between academia and industry in terms of research and development. In these endeavours, we seek to integrate the relevant capabilities of our research institutes and collaborate with the wider research community as well as other public sector agencies towards meaningful and impactful outcomes. Together with the other public sector entities, we develop industry sectors by:

• integrating our capabilities to create impact with Multi-National Corporations and Globally Competitive Companies;
• partnering Local Enterprises for productivity and gearing them for growth;
• nurturing R&D-driven Start-ups by seeding for surprises and shaping for success.

Our research, in addition, also contributes to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. These serve to enhance lives in Singapore and beyond.

VISION

A global leader in science, technology and open innovationThe Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is a catalyst, enabler and convenor of significant research initiatives among the research community in Singapore and beyond. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors, and bring science and technology to benefit the economy and society.