Deputy Manager, CoLab (Contract) – SUTD Academy

SUTD (Singapore University of Technology & Design); Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SUTD Academy is seeking a driven Deputy Manager for CoLab. This contract role focuses 60% on business development and partnerships, with 40% on programme operations and stakeholder management.

You will report to the Programme Director, build strategic opportunities, and translate industry needs into impactful learning and workforce initiatives. You will oversee operational planning and execution for CoLab programmes, events, and engagements, collaborating with faculty, industry partners, and

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Design, Education, or related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in business development, partnerships, account management, programme management, continuing education, marketing, workforce development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships and managing external stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify opportunities and convert them into viable initiatives or collaborations.
• Experience managing projects, programmes, or operational workflows from planning through execution.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong proposal development, stakeholder engagement, and business development capabilities.
• Good organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable working independently while coordinating across multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Singapore's CET, SkillsFuture, workforce development, or innovation ecosystem will be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development efforts to identify, cultivate, and secure new partnership and collaboration opportunities.
• Develop and manage relationships with industry, government, community, and ecosystem partners to expand CoLab's network and impact.
• Drive stakeholder engagement activities, including partnership discussions, presentations, negotiations, and follow-up engagements.
• Develop partnership strategies, proposals, partnership pitches, and business cases to support growth objectives.
• Identify industry challenges and emerging workforce needs, translating them into learning programmes, innovation initiatives, and customised engagement solutions.
• Research and keep updated on market trends to identify industry trends and growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with faculty and internal stakeholders to design and develop industry-relevant programmes and initiatives.
• Manage the partnership pipeline from lead generation through implementation and account management.
• Support strategic initiatives related to AI adoption, digital transformation, innovation, workforce development, and continuing education.
• Oversee end-to-end programme operations, ensuring smooth planning, coordination, and execution of workshops, courses, events, and industry engagements.
• Serve as the primary liaison between participants, partners, faculty, trainers, and internal stakeholders on operational matters.
• Coordinate programme logistics, scheduling, participant management, venue requirements, learning platforms, and resource allocation.
• Monitor programme delivery timelines, quality, budgets and operational performance indicators.
• Manage programme documentation, reporting requirements, administrative processes, and compliance with organisational policies.
• Oversee resource planning with internal stakeholders, including trainer deployment, facilities and operational support.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiencies to enhance participant and partner experience.
• Support the collection and analysis of programme feedback and outcomes to inform continuous improvement.

Skills

Business development

Partnership management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Proposal development

Project management

Communication skills

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Design, Education, or related

Job description

Deputy Manager, CoLab (Contract)

SUTD Academy is seeking a driven, relationship-oriented, and operationally strong individual to join SUTD CoLab as a Deputy Manager. This role will have a primary focus on business development and partnership growth (60%), complemented by programme operations and stakeholder management responsibilities (40%).

You will be reporting to the Programme Director and play a key role in identifying and developing strategic opportunities, building long-term partnerships and ecosystem, and translating industry needs into impactful learning, innovation, and workforce development initiatives. At the same time, you will oversee operational planning and execution to ensure high-quality delivery of CoLab programmes, events, and engagements.

Working closely with faculty, industry partners, government agencies, enterprises, and internal stakeholders, you will contribute to CoLab's growth as a hub for AI learning, ecosystem building and capability development.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Partnerships (60%)

• Lead business development efforts to identify, cultivate, and secure new partnership and collaboration opportunities.
• Develop and manage relationships with industry, government, community, and ecosystem partners to expand CoLab's network and impact.
• Drive stakeholder engagement activities, including partnership discussions, presentations, negotiations, and follow-up engagements.
• Develop partnership strategies, proposals, partnership pitches, and business cases to support growth objectives.
• Identify industry challenges and emerging workforce needs, translating them into learning programmes, innovation initiatives, and customised engagement solutions.
• Research and keep updated on market trend and environmental scanning to identify industry trends and growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with faculty and internal stakeholders to design and develop industry-relevant programmes and initiatives.
• Manage the partnership pipeline from lead generation through implementation and account management.
• Support strategic initiatives related to AI adoption, digital transformation, innovation, workforce development, and continuing education.

Operations & Programme Management (40%)

• Oversee end-to-end programme operations, ensuring smooth planning, coordination, and execution of workshops, courses, events, and industry engagements.
• Serve as the primary liaison between participants, partners, faculty, trainers, and internal stakeholders on operational matters.
• Coordinate programme logistics, scheduling, participant management, venue requirements, learning platforms, and resource allocation.
• Monitor programme delivery timelines, quality, budgets and operational performance indicators.
• Manage programme documentation, reporting requirements, administrative processes, and compliance with organisational policies.
• Oversee resource planning with internal stakeholders, including trainer deployment, facilities and operational support.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiencies to enhance participant and partner experience.
• Support the collection and analysis of programme feedback and outcomes to inform continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Design, Education, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in business development, partnerships, account management, programme management, continuing education, marketing, workforce development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships and managing external stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify opportunities and convert them into viable initiatives or collaborations.
• Experience managing projects, programmes, or operational workflows from planning through execution.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong proposal development, stakeholder engagement, and business development capabilities.
• Good organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable working independently while coordinating across multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Singapore's Continuing Education and Training (CET), SkillsFuture, workforce development, or innovation ecosystem will be an advantage.