Manager (2-year contract), LKCSB/ITI@SMU

Singapore Management University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Singapore Management University is seeking a dynamic professional to lead donor engagement and fundraising within the International Trading Institute (LKCSB). The role will build strategic partnerships with shipping companies, commodity traders, industry associations and government agencies, while supporting graduate diploma programmes in Maritime and Trading through SMU Academy.

You will coordinate admissions, enrolment, examinations and graduations; monitor learner satisfaction; and ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with corporate partners, industry associations, alumni, or government agencies.
• Knowledge of maritime, logistics, supply chain, trading or higher education sectors preferred.
• Ability to engage senior executives, donors, alumni, academics and government representatives.

Responsibilities

• Donor engagement and stewardship strategies development and implementation.
• Identify and cultivate prospective donors from maritime, trading, logistics, commodities, finance and related sectors.
• Prepare funding proposals, donor reports, and impact statements.
• Coordinate with Advancement Office on donor initiatives and programmes.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Donor relations

Fundraising

Programme management

University administration

Partnership management

Relationship building

Communication

Analytical reporting

Event marketing collateral

Education

Bachelor's degree (Business/Maritime Studies/International Trading/Economics/Supply Chain/Communications or related)

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Singapore Management University is a place where high-level professionalism blends together with a healthy informality. The 'family-like' atmosphere among the SMU community fosters a culture where employees work, plan, organise and play together – building a strong collegiality and morale within the university. Our commitment to attract and retain talent is ongoing. We offer attractive benefits and welfare, competitive compensation packages, and generous professional development opportunities – all to meet the work-life needs of our staff. No wonder, then, that SMU continues to be given numerous awards and recognition for its human resource excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position is forInternational Trading Institute, Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB).
• Donor Engagement and Fundraising
  • Develop, implement and strengthen donor engagement and stewardship strategies to strengthen relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and alumni donors.
  • Identify and cultivate prospective donors from the maritime, trading, logistics, commodities, finance, and related sectors.
  • Prepare funding proposals, donor reports, and impact statements.
  • Manage donor recognition programmes, appreciation events, and engagement activities.
  • Coordinate with the University's Advancement Office on donor initiatives.
  • Support the establishment and administration of scholarships, bursaries, prizes, and endowed funds (e.g. IGD Merit Award)
  • Maintain donor databases and ensure accurate records of donor interactions and contributions.
• Industry Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with shipping companies, commodity traders, industry associations, and government agencies (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and Enterprise Singapore).
  • Serve as a key point of contact between the SMU ITI and external stakeholders.
  • Facilitate industry participation in curriculum development, guest lectures, mentorship programmes, internships, and applied learning projects.
  • Organize industry dialogues, networking events and stakeholder engagement activities.
  • Represent the SMU ITI at industry conferences, forums, and professional events (e.g. Singapore Green Steel Forum 2026).
• Industry Graduate Diploma Programme Management
  • Manage the administration and operational delivery of the Industry Graduate Diploma programmes in Maritime and Trading with SMU Academy
  • Coordinate admissions, enrolment, student onboarding, examinations, and graduation processes.
  • Support programme trainers in programme planning and execution.
  • Monitor student progress, programme performance, and learner satisfaction.
  • Coordinate curriculum reviews and programme enhancements to ensure relevance to industry needs.
  • Manage programme-related communications with students, trainers, and industry partners.
  • Support accreditation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Student, Alumni and Career Development
  • Facilitate student engagement activities, industry exposure programmes, and networking opportunities.
  • Work with alumni to support mentoring, career talks, fundraising, and industry outreach initiatives.
  • Collaborate with career services and industry partners to identify internship and employment opportunities for students.
  • Work with Student Exco to raise brand awareness through company visits and coffee chats with senior management .
  • Financial and Administrative Management
    • Conduct market analysis and identify emerging trends in maritime, international trading and supply chain
    • Ensure timely update of donorship data
    • Prepare renewal forms and follow up with donor till renewal is completed
    • Manage programme and engagement budgets.
    • Monitor the utilization of donor funds and scholarships.
    • Prepare management and funding reports
    • Ensure compliance with university policies, financial procedures, and governance requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Maritime Studies, International Trading, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Communications, or a related discipline with at least 5 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, donor relations, fundraising, programme management, university administration, business development, or partnership management.
• Experience working with corporate partners, industry associations, alumni, or government agencies.
• Knowledge of the maritime, logistics, supply chain, trading, or higher education sectors is preferred.
• Ability to engage senior executives, donors, alumni, academics, and government representatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Analytical and reporting skills.
• Good communications (both written and spoken) and interpersonal skills.
• Able to design event marketing collaterals.
• Meticulous, ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to travel for work.