Operations Director

ASIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading philanthropic organization in Singapore is seeking a Director for its Shared Services Platform for Action. The Director will manage the operational design and implementation of initiatives to boost social impact across the region. The ideal candidate has over 12 years of experience in operational leadership within philanthropy, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to social and environmental impact.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in complex operations or shared services, ideally within philanthropy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in establishing operational models or service platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational design of the SSPA.
• Manage systems for hosting and regranting services.
• Coordinate with anchor funders and strategic partners.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Relationship management

Problem-solving

Job description

Asia Community Foundation (ACF) is the first Asia-wide platform for collaborative and strategic giving. ACF enables donors to pool resources, co-create solutions, and drive positive social and environmental impact across the region. Through donor-advised funds, impact funds, and bespoke giving vehicles, ACF helps philanthropists give with confidence, transparency, and impact.

ACF is developing a new regional offering that will make it easier for funders and nonprofits to work together, providing shared systems, hosting, and operational support so partners can focus on what really matters: driving impact across Asia.
This is the work of putting good intention into action. Helping to incubate transformative solutions and turn ideas into results. It’s about building what doesn’t yet exist: new systems, new partnerships, new ways of enabling philanthropy to flourish.

About ACF’s Shared Services Platform for Asia

This is a new initiative by ACF, developed in partnership with anchor funders, to strengthen regional philanthropic infrastructure.

Operating under the tagline “Shared Philanthropy Infrastructure for Asia,” the SSPA is a new regional initiative designed to strengthen the ecosystem of social impact by providing high-quality shared services, operational infrastructure, and strategic support to mission-driven organisations and collaborative initiatives. By reducing administrative burdens and enabling partners to focus on their core purpose, the SSPA aims to accelerate collective action, deepen regional collaboration, and advance lasting social and environmental change.

ACF retains full fiduciary responsibility for SSPA, ensuring all activities meet the highest standards of governance, accountability, and trust. Pilot operations are targeted to begin in early 2026, following a co-design phase through 2025.

Role Overview

The Director, SSPA will lead the strategic build‑out and operationalisation of ACF’s new regional Shared Services Platform for Action (SSPA) – a cornerstone initiative designed to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of partners driving social impact across the region. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director will translate the co‑developed design into practice, establishing the systems, processes, partnerships, and teams that enable the SSPA to operate with excellence, accountability, and long‑term sustainability.

This is both a strategic and hands‑on leadership role – ideal for a mission‑driven builder who thrives at the intersection of vision and execution. The Director will guide the SSPA’s growth and service strategy while ensuring operational integrity, compliance, and a best‑in‑class experience for hosted initiatives and partners. With a strong understanding of shared services, fiscal hosting, and philanthropic operations, the Director will act as a central connector – bridging ACF, anchor funders, and regional partners to deliver collaborative, efficient, and values‑aligned support to those creating social change.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy and Build‑Out

• Lead the operational design of the SSPA, including service models, workflow processes, and delivery frameworks.
• Translate the co‑created strategy into an actionable implementation plan aligned with pilot launch milestones.
• Work with partners to finalise financial models, operational budgets, and governance structures.
• Develop performance indicators, metrics, and reporting mechanisms to track programme progress and impact.

2. Operations and Delivery

• Establish and manage operational systems for hosting and regranting services—covering contracting, due diligence, disbursement, compliance, and reporting.
• Develop SOPs, templates, and digital tools e.g. Grant Management System to support scalable, efficient service delivery.
• Oversee onboarding and servicing of initial funders and hosted projects, ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Ensure compliance with ACF’s fiduciary and regulatory obligations under Singapore law.

3. Partnership and Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as primary coordinator for anchor funders and other strategic partners supporting the SSPA
• Support the SSPA Working Group and future Advisory Council to guide programme design and implementation, working closely with members to align priorities and ensure effective collaboration.
• Engage ecosystem stakeholders to socialise the initiative, identify early users, and attract co‑funding support.
• Prepare progress updates, materials, and presentations for ACF’s Board and Sub‑Committees.

4. Governance and Risk Management

• Implement oversight mechanisms and risk controls in collaboration with ACF’s CFO and COO.
• Ensure that all fiduciary, contractual, and due diligence processes meet ACF’s compliance standards.
• Manage documentation and reporting for hosted projects, ensuring transparency and audit‑readiness.

5. Team and Resource Management

• Build and lead a small, high‑performing team to deliver operational and client services.
• Oversee the hiring and management of project leads as needed to support hosted initiatives and operational priorities.
• Manage consultants and vendors providing specialist support (e.g., legal, finance, HR, IT).
• Oversee the programme budget, financial forecasts, and reporting requirements.

Experience and Skills

• 12+ years of leading complex operational or shared services, fiscal hosting, or grant management, ideally within philanthropy, international development, or nonprofit sectors
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities – able to anticipate challenges and design practical mission‑aligned solutions
• Demonstrated experience establishing new operational models or service platforms, preferably with cross‑border or multi‑jurisdictional scope
• Familiarity with regranting structures, fund administration, or donor‑advised fund mechanisms
• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills, with experience partnering diverse organizations, funders and regional networks.
• Strong operational and financial acumen with exceptional project management and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to convey complex operational concepts clearly
• International experience in Asia strongly preferred; fluency in English required

Attributes

• Builder mindset: entrepreneurial, solutions‑oriented and comfortable operating in start‑up or evolving context
• Mission driven and values‑led: deeply committed to advancing social and environmental impact through collaborative and equitable approaches
• Systems thinker who sees interconnections between finance, operations, and strategy and leverages them for collective impact
• Collaborative and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal and cross‑cultural skills
• Models integrity and accountability, committed to collaboration and partnership
• Highly organised and solutions‑oriented, with an eye for efficiency and detail