Head, Office of Housing

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD); Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier educational institution in Singapore is seeking an experienced Head of Housing to oversee residential properties and sports facilities. This role involves shaping the student living experience, driving strategic initiatives, and managing operations for safety and satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in asset management or student life, alongside strong leadership and interpersonal skills. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to student development and campus life enhancement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in asset management or residential/student life.
• Strong understanding of housing management and financial compliance.
• Prior experience in hospitality or residential services is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and operations of residential properties.
• Ensure safety, well-being and satisfaction of residents.
• Mentor and develop a diverse team to achieve goals.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

10+ years in asset or facilities management

Job description

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) is seeking a dynamic and seasoned professional to lead our Office of Housing. This role presents a unique opportunity to shape the residential experience of our students and contribute to their holistic growth and work alongside an integrated team of Student Experience & Transformation (SET) leaders.

The Office of Housing plays a critical role in managing the university’s student hostels, staff housing, and sports and recreation facilities, ensuring a safe, vibrant and supportive living and learning environment for our community.

This position reports to the Chief of Staff (Student Experience & Transformation) and collaborates closely with other SET units and university leadership to deliver an exceptional campus experience.

Job Description

As the Head of Housing, you will lead the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the university’s residential properties and sporting facilities. You will be responsible for enhancing resident and sports user experience and satisfaction, ensuring strong governance, driving financial, operational, and environmental sustainability across all housing and recreational assets.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and execute long-term housing needs plans, budgets, management strategies including revenue-generating initiatives that support institutional objectives.
• Formulate, review and enforce policies, SOPs, and operational approaches to optimise occupancy and utilization, and resident outcomes while maintaining sound financial stewardship.
• Co-lead the planning and development of new hostel, sports and recreational facilities aligned with the university’s growth and campus development roadmap.
• Drive and/or co-create innovative programmes and initiatives that integrate student development and community-building into the residential experience.

2. Operations:

• Oversee the end-to-end operations of residential properties and sporting facilities, including space management, accommodation allocation, facilities/venue bookings, financial management, replacement and upgrading of fixtures, fittings and furnishing.
• Plan and implement initiatives to ensure the safety, well-being and positive experience of residents and sports facility users.
• Collaborate closely with the Residential Life Team from Office of Student Life (OSL) and the Office of Campus Infrastructure and Facilities (OCIF) on matters relating to student experience, resident pastoral care, disciplinary issues, facilities maintenance and safety.
• Ensure accurate billing processes, effective arrears management, and timely collection of payments.

3. Leadership and Talent Development:

• Lead, mentor and develop a diverse team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Inspire, supervise, mentor, and motivate the housing staff to achieve departmental goals and contribute meaningfully to the university’s strategic objectives.
• Promote a culture of innovation, service excellence, cross-departmental collaboration with the university community.
• Partner closely with the Chief of Staff (Student Experience & Transformation) to elevate and continuously enhance the holistic student experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in asset management, property / facilities management, or residential life/student life – with a demonstrated track record in leadership, strategic planning, financial management and team development.
• Prior experience in hospitality or residential services is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of housing management principles, financial management, and regulatory compliance.

Required Skills/ Abilities

• Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire and develop a diverse team to achieve departmental and institutional goals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with emphasis on resource optimisation, operational efficiency and cost stewardship.
• Ability to manage a wide range of customer-facing situations with empathy, professionalism, sound judgement, particularly when engaging students and faculty and staff.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across internal departments and external partners.
• Commitment to cultivating a culture of service excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage complex operational challenges and make well-informed decisions in an evolving environment.