Manager/Senior Manager, Grants Management (HQ-RDF SERC & Systems)

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is seeking a Senior Manager/Manager to lead a team supporting RDF and Operations. The role focuses on digitalisation, process improvement, and strong partnership with Finance and divisions to drive financial insights and governance.

You will oversee grant management, reporting, and project closures, ensuring timely submissions to agencies and adherence to the NRF/NRF-like frameworks.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accountancy/ACCA required.
• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Experience in managing operations, reporting and stakeholder management is required.

Responsibilities

• Drive digitalisation and process improvement to enhance efficiency and resource utilisation.
• Oversee grant management activities, including fund requisitions and project closures.
• Support month-end/year-end closing and ensure compliance with policies.
• Act as a trusted partner to management, providing financial insights and budget inputs.
• Mentor Senior Associates/Associates and develop the team.

Skills

Strong analytical

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Supervisory/mentorship

Multi-tasking

Education

Degree in Accountancy/ACCA

Tools

SAP system

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. A*STAR's research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. A*STAR's research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR is recognised by many accountancy organisations: ISCA, ACCA, CPA Australia and ICAEW. It reaffirms our commitment to excellence in professional development, and to fostering the growth of our employees in the field of Finance and Accounting.

Job Description

As the Senior Manager/Manager, you will supervise a team of Senior Associates/ Associates to support A*STAR's Management in the management and administration of A*STAR Research Development Funds (RDF) and Operations and will have the opportunity to be involved in the following key areas of work:

Digitalisation and Process Improvement

• Drive digitalisation initiatives to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness as well as optimise resource allocation and utilisation. (e.g. Grants system enhancements, management reporting dashboard, RPA, etc).
• Enhance processes and controls by identifying root causes, implementing process improvement projects and monitoring the effectiveness of these projects (e.g. Grant Post-award Management and Review of Audit Reports).
• Build strong partnerships within Finance and Divisions to assess information needs, provide insights and robust challenges to support decision-making.
• Ensure that the business requirements for finance/grant processes are defined, comprehensive and documented so that they can serve as a basis for test scenarios of technical solutions.
• Ensure business ownership and user acceptance of process solutions are achieved through effective change management practices.
• Determine root causes of transaction issues and propose clear and effective resolutions.
• Ensure continuous work improvements to achieve immediate and long-term benefits through process and technology efficiencies.

Grant Management, Compliance and Reporting

• Oversee grant management activities, including fund requisitions, final statements of accounts (FSOAs) and project closure.
• Track verification status of FRs, FSOAs and project closure for timely submission by grantees to A*STAR and by A*STAR to other funding agencies and ensure timely disbursements of funds to grantees.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of internal and external stakeholders reporting, MTI/MOF/AGD/AGO returns and carry out presentation at management meeting platforms.
• Ensure timely submission of grant audit reports by grantees in accordance with A*STAR Grant Audit Framework (for A*STAR grants) / NRF's Enhanced Positive Affnimation Framework (for NRF grants).

Finance Operations

• Review and approve payment, billing and receipts journals raised by Senior Associates / Associates.
• Support month-end and financial year-end closing activities
• Review processes to be in compliance with Government IMs and policies and A*STAR's Financial Policies, Procedures and Guidance Notes.
• Provide support for other finance operations activities, including accounts payable and vendor management.

Business Partnering and Stakeholder management

• Act as a trusted business partner to management and other stakeholders in providing financial insights and advice to achieve business objectives
• Contribute finance inputs to government initiatives, project papers, frameworks, and budget/overhead submissions.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors, tax agents, corporate secretary, banks, AGO/ and other stakeholders.

People Development And Others

• Provide guidance to Senior Associates/ Associates and build a cohesive high-performance team
• Plan the training and development opportunities for staff to expand both their capacity and capability.
• Provide support to projects and other tasks as assigned from time to time.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Accountancy/ACCA
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in managing operations, reporting and stakeholder management
• Strong analytical, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
• High learning agility, adaptability and perseverance
• Able to multi-task and deliver results under tight timelines
• Meticulous, well organized and resourceful
• Proficient in MS office applications
• Strong supervisory and mentorship skills
• Knowledge of SAP system and dashboarding tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI) will be advantageous
• Open to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs)