Manager/Senior Manager, Regional Partnerships

singapore economic development board (edb); Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is seeking a Manager/Senior Manager for the Southeast Asia and Oceania Division (SEAO) in Singapore. You will oversee cross-border economic initiatives and lead investment-promotion efforts to strengthen Singapore as a global business hub.

You will drive government-to-government partnerships, engage Asia-Pacific regional players, and tailor solutions that reflect Singapore's strategic interests.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills to navigate government-to-government sensitivities.
• Analytical thinking to translate public policy into commercial incentives.
• Excellent written and oral communication for senior leadership briefs.

Responsibilities

• Drive cross-border initiatives and policy coordination for regional partnerships (e.g., JS-SEZ, BBK).
• Engage with multiple Singapore Government stakeholders to balance interests and develop win-win solutions.
• Manage key corporate relationships and understand regional expansion roadmaps to attract investments.
• Collaborate with senior executives to align economic priorities with regional market dynamics.

Skills

Interpersonal & Influencing Skills

Business Acumen

Communication

Agility & Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About EDB
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is responsible for strategies that enhance Singapores position as a global centre for business, innovation, and talent. We undertake investment promotion and industry development, and work with international businesses, both foreign and local, by providing information, connection to partners and access to government incentives for their investments. Our mission is to create sustainable economic growth, with vibrant business and good job opportunities for Singapore.

[What the role is]
About EDB
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is responsible for strategies that enhance Singapores position as a global centre for business, innovation, and talent. We undertake investment promotion and industry development, and work with international businesses, both foreign and local, by providing information, connection to partners and access to government incentives for their investments. Our mission is to create sustainable economic growth, with vibrant business and good job opportunities for Singapore.

For more information on EDB, please visit www.edb.gov.sg

[What you will be working on]
About Southeast Asia And Oceania Division
The Southeast Asia and Oceania Division (SEAO) is a division in the Singapore Economic Development Board. SEAO plays a critical role in strengthening linkages between Singapore and the immediate region, and expanding Singapores economic hinterland. SEAO (i) develops and executes on government-to-government (G2G) partnerships; (ii) actively engages the regions top private sector players 013 including major conglomerates, sectoral champions, and high growth startups, and (iii) facilitates the growth of global MNCs in Southeast Asia via Singapore. This positions Singapore as the choice location for companies to site their regional control tower, research and innovation, and advanced manufacturing operations, as they expand in the region.

Roles And Responsibilities
As a Manager/Senior Manager in the SEAO Division, you will operate at the unique intersection of bilateral economic policy, inter-agency stakeholder engagement, and investment promotion. You will have operational oversight over core cross-border economic initiatives, and support EDBs corporate engagement in key regional markets including Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. You will work with both global MNCs and regional conglomerates to best harness Singapores strengths and the complementary advantages of our immediate neighbours. You will need to understand and assess Singapores strategic interests, needs and develop the right solutions catered to Singapores position as a global business centre. You will also cultivate and maintain close ties with key influencers or decision makers in Singapore and the region ranging from government officials, industry leaders and company executives.

Bilateral Frameworks & G2G Policy Coordination

• Drive Cross-Border Initiatives: Lead the operationalization and policy coordination for Singapores key regional partnerships, specifically the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and Batam-Bintan-Karimun region (BBK).
• Inter-Agency Stakeholder Engagement: Work across multiple Singapore Government stakeholders to balance various interests and develop win-win solutions.
• Bilateral Diplomacy: Work closely with bilateral government counterparts to align economic priorities, address cross-border regulatory frictions, and attract new investments into the region.

Corporate Account Management & Market Strategy

• Portfolio Account Management: Support the management and engagement of strategic corporate relationships in Malaysia and the Philippines.
• Engagement of key executives: Cultivate trusted relationships with senior company executives and next-generation business leaders to understand their regional expansion roadmaps and long-term priorities.

[What we are looking for]
To Succeed In This Role, You Should Possess

• A Bachelors degree in Business, Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 3 to 5 years of relevant working experience in corporate strategy, investment promotion, management consulting, public policy, or international trade relations.
• Deep Regional Context: Strong understanding of the Southeast Asian macroeconomic landscape, with specific familiarity regarding the corporate governance, regulatory environments, and market dynamics of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
• Excellent Interpersonal & Influencing Skills: Ability to navigate complex government-to-government sensitivities with absolute discretion, and influence internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority.
• Keen Business Acumen: Exceptional conceptual and analytical thinking, with the ability to translate complex public policy frameworks into high-yield commercial incentives for private enterprise.
• Exceptional Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills, with an ability to synthesize ambiguous trends into clear, succinct executive briefs and talking points for senior management and political leadership.
• Agility & Adaptability: A self-starter who demonstrates high learning agility and execution rigor when operating in an unstructured, rapidly evolving business environment.
• You should be a Singapore Citizen.