Manager, HR Ecosystem Development and Partnerships (CEDD)

Skills & Workforce Development Agency (SWDA); Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Skills & Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) is seeking a driven professional to strengthen Singapore's HR ecosystem through strategic partnerships with government agencies, HR bodies, industry groups, unions and training providers. You will identify workforce needs, co-create initiatives and manage programmes end-to-end.

This role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, project management and evidence-based decision making.

Qualifications

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Identify collaboration opportunities and translate into practical initiatives.
• Knowledge of HR, workforce development or sector development trends.
• Facilitation, negotiation and written/presentation skills.
• Solid project and programme management with governance & risk practice.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen the HR ecosystem and advance priorities.
• Build and manage trusted relationships with government agencies, HR bodies, industry and training providers.
• Engage partners to identify emerging needs, gaps and opportunities for collaboration.
• Co-create and deliver initiatives, programmes and platforms that improve HR capabilities.
• Manage partnerships end to end: engagement, contracts, implementation, risk & issue resolution.
• Monitor outcomes, gather market intelligence and refine approaches for scale.
• Represent the organisation at engagements and coordinate across internal teams.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Partnership development

Relationship management

HR/workforce development knowledge

Analytical thinking

Facilitation / negotiation

Education

Certifications in HR or project management

Job description

What The Role Is

Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) is committed to building a quality Career and Employment Services (CES) ecosystem that supports individuals in navigating their career journeys, and equips employers to build capabilities in workforce development. As part of the CES Ecosystem Development Division under the CESG Group, we view HR as a strategic workforce development partner of employers and aim to develop capabilities and uplift the strategic value of HR to employers. We are seeking a driven and collaborative individual with strong stakeholder engagement and analytical skills to join our team. Under this role, you will be responsible for strengthening the HR ecosystem by building purposeful partnerships across government agencies, HR professional organisations, industry bodies, union and training providers. You will identify shared workforce and HR capability needs, bring partners together, and co-create initiatives that improve HR practices and outcomes. Through effective stakeholder engagement and programme delivery, you will help grow a connected, responsive and sustainable ecosystem that supports HR transformation.

What You Will Be Working On

• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen the HR ecosystem and advance workforce and HR capability priorities;
• Build and manage trusted relationships with government agencies, HR professional organisations, industry bodies, union and training providers;
• Engage partners to identify emerging needs, ecosystem gaps and opportunities for collaboration;
• Co-create and deliver initiatives, programmes and platforms that improve HR capabilities, practices and access to relevant resources and solutions;
• Manage partnerships and projects end to end, including stakeholder engagement, proposal development, contract agreements, implementation, risk management and issue resolution;
• Monitor partnership health and programme outcomes, gather market intelligence and use evidence to refine approaches and scale effective collaborations; and
• Represent the organisation at relevant engagements and work across internal teams to advance sector-wide HR transformation.

What We Are Looking For

Candidates Requirement:

• Strong stakeholder engagement, partnership development and relationship management skills.
• Ability to understand ecosystem needs, identify collaboration opportunities and translate them into practical initiatives.
• Good knowledge of HR, workforce development or sector development issues and trends.
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, written communication and presentation skills.
• Sound project and programme management capabilities, including planning, contract management, governance, risk management and outcome tracking.
• Analytical and strategic thinking, with the ability to synthesise insights and make evidence-based recommendations.

Experience / Personal Traits

• Collaborative and outcomes-oriented, with the initiative to work independently in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing multiple priorities and adapting plans as needs evolve.
• Strong interpersonal judgement, curiosity and a genuine interest in developing the HR ecosystem.
• Able to manage partnerships, including contract agreements, performance management and evaluation.
• Experience in the public sector, industry development or cross-sector collaboration would be an advantage, including:
• Relevant experience in partnerships, stakeholder engagement, ecosystem development, programme management, HR or workforce development;
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders and build alignment across different interests; and
• Proven partnership and account management capability, including contract and performance management, monitoring and evaluation of outcomes, and governance.

Professional Certifications/ Qualifications

Relevant professional certifications in HR, or project management would be advantageous but are not essential.

Successful candidates will be offered a contract in the first instance and may be considered for an extension or be placed on a permanent tenure.