Director, Strategic Planning

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

Job summary

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research is seeking a proactive leader for the Strategic Planning Department to drive agility and forward-looking corporate planning. You will mentor a high-performing team and work directly with senior leadership to design and implement high-impact initiatives that advance Singapore's scientific and economic future.

You will lead strategy workshops, develop Corporate Objectives and OKRs, and champion data-informed decision making while navigating

Qualifications

• 10+ years in strategic planning, corporate planning or management consulting.
• Proven success leading and building high-performing teams.
• Exceptional ability to influence senior stakeholders (C-Suite/Director).
• Analytical rigor with data-driven decision making.
• Resilience in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning exercises and develop corporate OKRs.
• Serve as trusted advisor to senior leadership and align divisions across the organisation.
• Design culture of innovation and manage transformation initiatives, including GenAI adoption.
• Mentor officers, fostering psychological safety, high performance and learning.
• Deliver concise executive briefings and translate data into policy material for decisions.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Change Management

Data Analysis

Executive Communication

Job description

Description

Are you looking for a career in an organisation powering the scientific frontier of Singapore? Are you looking to drive agility efforts in a world-class organisation? Join the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), a world-class organization that propels Singapore's scientific and economic future. The Strategic Planning Department is the architect of a dynamic, agile, and forward-looking corporate service that empowers our researchers to innovate. We are seeking a proactive individual to lead this charge. This is a rare opportunity to serve as a catalyst for change, working directly with senior leadership to conceptualize, design, and implement high-impact initiatives while mentoring a high-performing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Senior Stakeholder Management


• Executive Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership. Bridge diverse views across the organisation, driving conversations and influencing outcomes towards common goals.


• Strategic Planning: Lead the A*STAR's strategic planning exercises, including strategy workshops, annual work plans, and the development of Corporate Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).


• Consensus Building: Conceptualize near-term business initiatives and long-term strategic projects. You will navigate complex stakeholder landscapes to align Corporate Group Divisions with broader organizational aims.


• Team Management & Talent Development


• People Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of officers. Foster a culture of psychological safety, high performance, and continuous learning.


• Capability Building: Guide staff in developing \"pathfinding\" skills - navigating ambiguity to complete projects without defined pathways. Provide regular feedback and coaching to groom the next generation of A*STAR leaders.


• Executive Communication & Engagement


• High-Impact Briefings: Craft and deliver concise briefings to senior leadership. You will be responsible for translating complex data into clear policy papers and presentations that inform executive-level decisions.


• Internal Engagement Architecture: Design culture-shaping leadership retreats and produce dynamic town halls. You will craft experiences that forge powerful connections and build alignment across the entire A*STAR.


• Transformation & Operational Excellence


• Digital Transformation: Spearhead the implementation of cutting-edge digitalization and automation solutions (including GenAI). Your mission is to build a client-centric, agile and collaborative corporate environment.


• Champion Excellence: Design and launch feedback to drive continuous improvement. Lead benchmarking exercises to ensure A*STAR stays ahead of the curve in strategy implementation.


• Data Analysis & Insights: Oversee the transformation of raw data into compelling visual stories. Ensure leadership has the insights needed to make critical, data-informed decisions.

Requirements

• Experience: You bring at least 10 years of working experience, with a strong background in strategic planning, corporate planning or management consulting.


• Leadership Track Record: Proven success in managing teams. You must demonstrate the ability to build trust, inspire confidence, and guide staff through complex and sometimes, ambiguous work streams.


• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders (C-Suite/Director level).


• Analytical Rigour: A keen mind that can anticipate issues, plan for contingencies, and analyze data with a high degree of accuracy.


• Resilience: The capacity to maintain composure and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines.

What You Will Gain

• Strategic Exposure: This role is a proving ground for your career. You will gain direct exposure to senior leaders and diverse corporate functions, placing you at the nerve center of the organization.


• Leadership Growth: You will be empowered to take on higher responsibilities, refining your ability to lead teams through ambiguity.


• Culture of Innovation: Join a team that values creativity and embraces unconventional ideas.


• Adaptability: Hone your ability to adapt to dynamic situations and think creatively under pressure.


• Accelerated Growth : This is a role and proving ground for executive leadership. You will gain exposure to senior industry and scientific leadership, and understand the inner workings of a matrix corporate functions.