Division Head, Planning & Partnerships, UTR!

SINGAPORE SPORTS SCHOOL LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports organization in Singapore seeks a Head of Planning & Partnerships to drive strategic initiatives and partnerships for the development of Singapore football. The ideal candidate must have at least 20 years of relevant experience, including a decade in senior leadership roles. Responsibilities include overseeing multiple teams and engaging with key partners. This position demands a passion for sport, particularly football, and a comprehensive understanding of the sports ecosystem.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of relevant experience, including 10 years in senior leadership roles.
• Experience in strategic planning, partnerships, or commercial management.
• Public sector experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Drive the strategic direction and sustainability of UTR!
• Lead development of UTR!'s multi-year strategic plan.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with key stakeholders.
• Oversee public communications and engagement strategies.
• Guide implementation of capability development programmes.
• Lead teams to foster a high-performance culture.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder relationship management

Project management

Communication skills

Knowledge of sports ecosystem

Passion for sport

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

About UNLEASH THE ROAR!

Unleash the Roar! (UTR!) − is a national movement which aims to raise the levels of Singapore football, build strong support systems to nurture our next generation of talents and rally the nation behind the shared dream. It is a long-term, whole-of-society effort covering grassroots development, elite youth pathways, infrastructure as well as community and fan engagement.

Job Description

As Head of Planning & Partnerships, you will play a pivotal leadership role in driving the strategic direction and long-term sustainability of Unleash the Roar! (UTR!) — Singapore’s national football movement. You will lead strategic planning, partnerships, capability development, communications and engagement initiatives to elevate Singapore football.

Reporting to the Executive Director, UTR!, you will be overseeing multiple teams and working closely with key partners such as the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), Singapore Premier League (SPL) clubs, and government agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Resourcing: Lead the development and implementation of UTR!’s multi-year strategic plan and annual workplans. Ensure strong alignment with national priorities and secure sustained funding support from public and private sector sources.
• Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement: Build and manage strategic relationships with Ministries, public agencies, sporting bodies, and corporate partners drive UTR!’s mission.
• Capability Development: Guide implementation of capability development programmes such as scholarships and attachments supporting players, coaches, and administrators.
• Communications & Engagement: Oversee UTR!’s public communications and engagement strategies to enhance awareness support for Singapore football.
• Organisational Transformation: Drive UTR!’s transition efforts towards the new structure in the redefined Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), ensuring smooth change management and alignment with stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Lead and manage teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.

Requirements

Experience: At least 20 years of relevant experience, with at least 10 years in senior leadership roles involving strategic planning, partnerships, or commercial management. Public sector experience is advantageous.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong team leadership and management capability.
• Proven strategic thinker with strong execution ability.
• Skilled relationship builder with senior stakeholders across sectors.
• Experience managing large-scale projects, funding cycles, or transformation initiatives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present to different types of stakeholders.
• Disciplined approach towards staffing and day-to-day tasks.
• Able to work collaboratively across teams and deliver results under pressure.
• Good understanding of Singapore’s sports ecosystem
• Good understanding of international and local football governance and development landscape.
• Passion for sport (especially football) and a belief in the UTR! vision.