Executive Director (Data-AI-Compute)

A*STAR Research Entities (A*STAR); Singapore; On-site; SGD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Singapore is seeking an Executive Director to drive industry collaborations and enterprise development in AI and computing technologies. The role demands strong leadership in deep-tech commercialization, excellent stakeholder management, and technical fluency in digital technologies. Successful candidates will have a proven track record in managing partnerships and delivering impactful results.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of experience in deep-tech/AI commercialisation.
• Demonstrated strength in IP and contract management.
• Strong executive presence with a proven track record.

Responsibilities

• Drive tech-business development in Data-AI-Compute.
• Develop high-quality collaboration pipelines.
• Engage stakeholders to inform strategies.

Skills

Leadership in deep-tech commercialization

Stakeholder management

Technical fluency in AI and digital technologies

Communication skills

Education

Degree or post-graduate degree in engineering or computing

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

A*STAR is the strategic innovation engine in Singapore to translate science and technology into economic outcomes through contract R&D, joint labs/consortia, licensing, and venture creation across priority domains.

We are seeking a highly qualified individual, with a strong passion to make a difference in translation impact and Singapore, to serve as Executive Director (ED) leading industry collaborations and enterprise development anchored in I²R & IHPC, and working with other A*STAR Research Institutes.

The ED will drive A*STAR's Data-AI-Compute (DAC) translation with companies and public agencies—accelerating ‘AI/Compute-for-X’ adoption (e.g., digital services, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, maritime/aviation, digital services and health), and supporting the development of scalable translation platforms by working with researchers and engineers in I²R, IHPC, and other A*STAR Research Institutes as needed to build multidisciplinary solutions and deliver national impact.

The ED will also play a leadership role in an Applied AI Centre of Excellence that A*STAR is setting up to drive industrial AI adoption in the Singapore ecosystem.

AI is the primary technology focus; the role will also cover digital technologies like cybersecurity and quantum computing as strategic domains.

Responsibilities

• Drive tech-business development anchored in I²R & IHPC: Shape and execute a multi-year industry strategy for Data-AI-Compute with EDs I²R & IHPC, establishing multi-party collaborations and scaling deployments across priority sectors.
• Develop and convert a high-quality pipeline: Orchestrate contract R&D, licensing, and venture opportunities with I&E clusters; leverage mechanisms such as co-innovation projects, consortia and T-Up/secondments for startups, SMEs and LLEs.
• Forge productive collaborations to deliver adoption impact: Establish and grow partnerships with MNCs, LLEs, startups, SMEs and public agencies; negotiate complex, multi-party agreements that accelerate adoption at scale (MRCA/joint labs/consortia/licensing).
• Ecosystem sensing and strategy: Engage local and global stakeholders (industry C-suites, public agencies, IHLs) to sense technology and market shifts in AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing and other digital technologies; inform mid- to long-term strategies; ensure value capture for Singapore.
• Provide overall strategic leadership: Guide research translation priorities for I²R & IHPC toward national impact, aligning to Whole-of-A*STAR programmes (by partnering across A*STAR RIs) and the RIE ecosystem (MTC, SNDE, USS, HHP).
• Support platform development: Work closely with researchers and engineers to identify commercial opportunities and enable the development and deployment of Data-AI-Compute platforms and solutions for industry.
• Lead and develop the team: Build and mentor a high-performing Tech-Biz team (matrixed with RI Tech-Biz and I&E clusters), attract key talent, and model A*STAR's leadership competencies and culture.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Degree or post-graduate degree in engineering, computing or equivalent from a reputable university.
• Experience: 10-15 years of proven leadership in deep-tech/AI/compute commercialisation (e.g., industry collaborations, joint labs, consortia, deployments), ideally with translational research exposure or programme leadership at ED/Director level.
• IP & Contracts: Demonstrated strength in IP and contract management and negotiation, particularly for software and data-centric business models (e.g., licensing constructs, SaaS terms, data-use rights, open-source/compliance considerations).
• Stakeholders & Execution: Strong executive presence and stakeholder management, with a track record of value capture, risk mitigation and accountability across complex, multi-party initiatives.
• Matrix Leadership: Comfortable operating in a matrix; able to work across I²R, IHPC, other A*STAR RIs, I&E and public agencies to deliver One-A*STAR outcomes.
• Technical Fluency: Intellectually curious with the ability to exploit AI and other digital technologies (e.g. HPC, cybersecurity, and quantum computing) and translate them into implementable, cost-benefit-sound programmes; adept at identifying cross-functional synergies.
• Delivery: Outstanding record managing multiple programmes and partnerships from POC to deployment; familiarity with public sector processes is an advantage.
• Communication: Excellent communication and influencing skills for internal and external relationship-building, including international partners.