Director, Industry Partnerships & Research Engagement

Singapore Management University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Singapore Management University in Singapore seeks a dynamic professional to lead strategic partnerships and drive growth of SMU’s research collaborations across government, industry and community partners.

The role focuses on identifying opportunities, coordinating across faculties and SOCIs, and developing compelling value propositions to position SMU’s research strengths externally. Strong stakeholder management and a track record in strategic planning are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8–10 years of relevant work experience; postgraduate degree is an advantage.
• Experience in research partnerships or in a research-intensive or higher education environment is highly desirable.
• Proven track record in building partnerships or driving strategic collaborations in higher education or research.
• Strong understanding of the higher education landscape and its intersection with government, industry and community stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage confidently across all levels, cultures and backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to grow SMU’s research partnerships across the people, public and private sectors, aligned with SMU’s priorities and objectives.
• Identify, assess and prioritise strategic external opportunities; develop and manage a pipeline of prospective partnerships and translate opportunities into actionable engagement and business development plans.
• Work with faculty, Schools, Centres and Institutes to understand research capabilities and identify areas of alignment with external needs.
• Work across SOCIs and existing partnership teams to align engagement efforts and enable cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Develop positioning strategies, partnership narratives and value propositions that articulate SMU’s strengths and demonstrate value to partners.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders including senior University leadership, faculty, institutes and industry, public sector and community partners.
• Develop outreach strategies to promote SMU’s faculty strengths to external audiences across events, campaigns and channels.
• Lead and support strategic engagement initiatives, roundtables, conferences and events that showcase SMU’s capabilities and partnerships.
• Contribute to strategic planning and performance management with metrics and dashboards for partnership pipelines and outcomes.
• Represent the office at internal and external meetings and support leadership in advancing SMU’s partnership agenda.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 8–10 years of relevant work experience

Postgraduate degree advantageous

Job description

Singapore Management University in Singapore seeks a dynamic professional to lead strategic partnerships and drive growth of SMU’s research collaborations across government, industry and community partners.

The role focuses on identifying opportunities, coordinating across faculties and SOCIs, and developing compelling value propositions to position SMU’s research strengths externally. Strong stakeholder management and a track record in strategic planning are essential.