Director (Therapeutics)

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research seeks a senior leader to drive KPI outcomes across industry sectors and to manage the Quality Partners portfolio. You will advance licensing, tech transfer, and productisation strategies to bring research to market.

You will lead a team, engage with partners, and align the partner ecosystem with A*STAR's technology roadmap to deliver strategic value for Singapore’s innovation goals.

Responsibilities

• Drive KPI & impactful outcomes for respective industry sectors across all enterprise types (MNCs, LLEs, SMEs, PAs, Start-ups).
• Apply the Quality Partners Framework in engaging companies to understand technology roadmaps, business models, products/services, and needs.
• Identify and manage the portfolio of Quality Partners for the respective sectors.
• Optimise A*STAR’s assets to provide value-add and solutions to industry and public-sector partners: engage with Singapore's scientific units, manage commercialisation pathways, drive MVPs, and deploy tech.
• Be the face of A*STAR and go-to person for all matters related to the Quality Partners from initial negotiations to post-project services.
• Make A*STAR a strategic partner to the Quality Partners, involved in the account’s tech roadmap and operations.
• Devise, shape and track outcomes for Quality Partners to maximise A*STAR’s value proposition.
• Address S&T needs by leveraging A*STAR assets and other ecosystem partners to deploy solutions.

Job description

Job Description

A*STAR's Innovation & Enterprise (I&E) Group helps companies turn research into business results.

Job Description

A*STAR's Innovation & Enterprise (I&E) Group helps companies turn research into business results.

As part of Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, we work with local and global businesses to accelerate innovation, scale growth, and strengthen competitiveness in high-value sectors.

I&E enables companies to move faster from lab to market through:

• Partnerships with industry, investors, and researchers to co‑develop solutions for real business challenges.
• Licensing and commercialisation of breakthrough technologies and intellectual property into market‑ready products and services.
• Venture building that nurtures deep‑tech start-ups from early concepts to global growth.

Through I&E, companies gain access to cutting‑edge technologies, world‑class research talent, and trusted pathways to market—helping them innovate with confidence, compete globally, and create long‑term value.

Responsibilities

• Drive KPI & impactful outcomes for respective industry sectors, across all enterprise types (MNCs, LLEs, SMEs, PAs, Start‑ups, etc)
• Apply the Quality Partners Framework in the engagement of companies in the respective sectors to understand the companies’ technology roadmaps, business models, product/service offerings, and technology needs
• Identify and manage the portfolio of Quality Partners for the respective sectors
• Optimise A*STAR’s assets to provide value‑add and solutions to industry and public‑sector partners:
  • Engage with Singapore's scientific units to understand their capabilities and relevance to ecosystem
  • Take charge of commercialization pathways, whether via RCAs, GAP, Spinoffs, Productisation Partners, etc. to bring the tech to market. Oversee management of Gap projects, where necessary
  • Drive maturation of technology and capability to encourage adoption and deployment in partners and end users, in the form of Minimum Viable Product (MVP) relevant to industry sector/market/application
  • Understand, utilize and apply the right tools (Gap, RCA, Licensing, ICP etc) with the right partners for impactful outcomes
• Be the face of A*STAR and go‑to person for all matters related to the Quality Partners from initial negotiations to post‑project services.
• Make A*STAR a strategic partner to the Quality Partners, intellectually involved in the account’s tech roadmap and operations.
• Devise, shape and track desired outcomes for the Quality Partners to ensure that activities maximise A*STAR’s value proposition.
• Address S&T needs of the Quality Partners by leveraging whole of A*STAR’s assets and beyond, including other R&D performers in the Singapore ecosystem as well as partners who can help deploy the solutions (e.g. TEP, Productisation Partners, etc)
• Maintain oversight of all engagement activities related to the Quality Partners, including pipeline and secured deals
• Communicate to stakeholders the impact that A*STAR delivers for the Quality Partners, including to POHs and senior management within A*STAR and wider public sector
• Manage current Gap Projects
• License contract negotiation, execution, and management of all License Agreements
• IP management with IPM: TDAP/prosecutions/approvals and IPMS
• Tech offers management
• Technology, market and competitor analysis
• Lead a team to support overall Industry Cluster vision and objectives, through coaching, mentoring and leadership.
• Lean in and lend expertise to contribute to training and talent development within cluster, RI and enterprise.