Manager (Industry Development) - Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS)

Singapore Polytechnic (SP); Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CEMS is seeking an Industry Development Manager to shape and execute the Centre’s industry engagement and research ecosystem development in line with the Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap 2026.

You will act as the main interface with industry partners, research institutions, and government bodies while ensuring governance, project management, and business development functions are delivered at the highest standard.

Qualifications

• Experience in the maritime sector is a plus.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse partners.
• Strong critical thinking and evidence synthesis skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement an industry development framework for engagement and outreach.
• Identify and manage relationships with maritime industry stakeholders including shipowners and ports.
• Drive initiatives to translate research into practical industry applications.
• Build partnerships with industry, research institutes and learning institutions to strengthen the ecosystem.
• Identify collaboration opportunities and position CEMS as a hub for maritime safety research.
• Coordinate with funding agencies and government bodies to advance programs.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Research literacy

Adaptability

Independence

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

What the role is

Plaque of Commendation (Gold) – NTUC May Day Awards 2026

Most Positive Workplace Collaboration Award – Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) Awards 2025

The Straits Times Singapore’s Best Employers for 2024, 2025 & 2026

The role of an industry development manager at CEMS is both challenging and deeply rewarding. We are seeking individuals who not only possess comprehensive relevant knowledge and practical experience in the maritime industry but also demonstrate good communication and teamwork skills.
As an industry development manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the Centre’s activities in line with the Maritime Technology & Research Roadmap 2026. This position involves shaping and executing the Centre's industry engagement, research ecosystem development, and commercialisation strategy. The incumbent will serve as the primary interface between CEMS and its external stakeholders including industry partners, research institutions, institutes of higher learning, funding agencies, and international collaborators while ensuring the effective governance, project management, and business development functions of the Centre are delivered to the highest standard.

What you will be working on

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and implement a comprehensive framework for industry development, engagement, and outreach.
• Establish systematic processes for identifying, approaching, and sustaining meaningful relationships with maritime industry stakeholders including shipowners, port operators, maritime service providers, classification societies, and technology companies.
• Drive initiatives that translate research outcomes into practical industry applications, ensuring CEMS remains relevant, responsive, and valuable to the industry it serves.
• Lead the building and nurturing of a robust research ecosystem by forging strategic partnerships with industry partners, research institutes, and institutes of higher learning.
• Identify collaborative research opportunities, facilitate joint project development, and position CEMS as the natural convening body for maritime safety research in Singapore.
• Serve as the primary conduit between CEMS and its key external stakeholders and funding agencies, with particular focus on the Singapore Maritime Institute and other relevant government bodies.

What we are looking for

Requirements:

• At least 4-8 years of relevant working experience.
• Self-driven, independent, and possess readiness to work as a team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment.
• People-oriented individual with good interpersonal, written, and communication skills.
• Strong research literacy, with the ability to critically evaluate evidence, synthesize findings from multiple sources