Executive Manager/Assistant Director (Planning Branch 1) - Contract

sggovterp; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Environment Agency (Singapore) is seeking a seasoned infrastructure planning lead for the Memorial Facilities Planning Division. You will guide major crematorium projects from scoping through delivery, coordinating cross‑agency engagements and managing procurement actions for consultants and contractors.

You will apply extensive experience in planning, feasibility studies, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure safe, sustainable, and cost‑effective cremation infrastructure

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in infrastructure planning, project development, engineering, policy implementation, or related fields.
• Proven project management experience, with the ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects and manage multiple workstreams concurrently.
• Experience in infrastructure development, including feasibility studies, business case development, strategic planning, and project implementation.
• Strong understanding of procurement, contract management, and funding approval processes, preferably within the public sector.
• Experience managing consultants, contractors, and external service providers to achieve project outcomes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess technical, financial, operational, and policy considerations holistically.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage agencies, industry partners, and senior management effectively.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, exercise sound judgement, and develop practical solutions to complex challenges.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Meticulous and organised, with strong attention to detail.
• Experience or knowledge in building services, energy infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, or cremation-related technologies will be an advantage

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and coordination of major crematorium development projects, including facility expansions, upgrading works, and supporting infrastructure improvements.
• Oversee pre-development activities such as project scoping, feasibility studies, user requirement development, stakeholder engagement, and funding approvals.
• Drive procurement strategies and processes, including the preparation and calling of tenders for consultants and contractors, as well as managing direct contracts and contract variations where required.
• Manage consultants and contractors through project planning and implementation phases to ensure timely delivery of project objectives.
• Coordinate integrated project timelines across multiple workstreams and interdependent projects, ensuring alignment with operational and business requirements.
• Conduct assessments on cost reasonableness for specialised direct contracting and contract variation proposals involving highly technical or non-standard works.
• Support the planning and assessment of future crematorium infrastructure to meet Singapore's long-term needs, including capacity planning, operational resilience, and service delivery considerations.
• Evaluate emerging cremation technologies and energy solutions, including alternative fuel sources and sustainability initiatives, to enhance operational efficiency and resilience.
• Work closely with agencies, industry partners, and service providers to address technical, planning, land use, infrastructure, and implementation issues.
• Contribute to the review and development of policies, operational frameworks, and planning strategies relating to after-death infrastructure and services

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Analytical and problem-solving

Communication skills

Independent / self-motivated

Attention to detail

Job description

What the role is

As Singapore's lead planning agency for after-death facilities, NEA plays a critical role in ensuring that after-death infrastructure keeps pace with demographic shifts, evolving public expectations, and long-term national planning needs. The Memorial Facilities Planning Division is at the heart of this work, overseeing the long-term planning and provision of these facilities.

What you will be working on

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the planning and coordination of major crematorium development projects, including facility expansions, upgrading works, and supporting infrastructure improvements
• Oversee pre-development activities such as project scoping, feasibility studies, user requirement development, stakeholder engagement, and funding approvals
• Drive procurement strategies and processes, including the preparation and calling of tenders for consultants and contractors, as well as managing direct contracts and contract variations where required
• Manage consultants and contractors through project planning and implementation phases to ensure timely delivery of project objectives
• Coordinate integrated project timelines across multiple workstreams and interdependent projects, ensuring alignment with operational and business requirements
• Conduct assessments on cost reasonableness for specialised direct contracting and contract variation proposals involving highly technical or non-standard works
• Support the planning and assessment of future crematorium infrastructure to meet Singapore's long-term needs, including capacity planning, operational resilience, and service delivery considerations
• Evaluate emerging cremation technologies and energy solutions, including alternative fuel sources and sustainability initiatives, to enhance operational efficiency and resilience
• Work closely with agencies, industry partners, and service providers to address technical, planning, land use, infrastructure, and implementation issues
• Contribute to the review and development of policies, operational frameworks, and planning strategies relating to after-death infrastructure and services

What we are looking for

This role may be for you if you possess the following qualities:

• At least 5 years of experience in infrastructure planning, project development, engineering, policy implementation, or related fields
• Proven project management experience, with the ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects and manage multiple workstreams concurrently
• Experience in infrastructure development, including feasibility studies, business case development, strategic planning, and project implementation
• Strong understanding of procurement, contract management, and funding approval processes, preferably within the public sector
• Experience managing consultants, contractors, and external service providers to achieve project outcomes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess technical, financial, operational, and policy considerations holistically
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage agencies, industry partners, and senior management effectively
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, exercise sound judgement, and develop practical solutions to complex challenges
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Meticulous and organised, with strong attention to detail
• Experience or knowledge in building services, energy infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, or cremation-related technologies will be an advantage