Programme Director

xnode pte. ltd.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

XNode is seeking an experienced Program Director to lead cross-border innovation initiatives between Singapore and China, driving GIA acceleration, CIP projects, and corporate innovation consulting for enterprises. You will shape strategy, oversee business development, and manage client delivery with a strong focus on ecosystem engagement.

The role requires a senior leader with extensive experience in corporate innovation, startup acceleration, and cross-border programs, plus fluency in English

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Business, Innovation, marketing or a related field; a Master degree is a plus.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in corporate innovation, startup acceleration, management consulting, or cross-border program management.
• Strong bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese (written and spoken).
• Established network within Singapore’s startup ecosystem and familiarity with government grant schemes.
• Proven experience in client management, business development, and contract negotiation.
• Excellent strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Legally entitled to work in Singapore (Citizen, PR, or holder of a valid work pass).

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end GIA acceleration programs: recruit and select Singapore‑based deep‑tech startups that meet Enterprise Singapore’s criteria, and guide them through market validation, mentorship, China immersion, and business matching to achieve commercialization.
• Lead end‑to‑end Co‑Innovation Program(CIP) projects, including sourcing high‑potential applicants and ensuring their active participation, connecting Singapore companies with complementary foreignpartners, providing advisory support to align proposals with CIP objectives,and facilitating evaluation and preliminary assessments for EnterpriseSG.
• Drive corporate innovation consulting engagements, helping clients identify innovation opportunities and source cutting‑edge solutions for the China market.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities across both GIA and CIP service lines to meet revenue targets.
• Manage the full client lifecycle – from needs analysis and proposal development to contract negotiation, project delivery, and reporting – ensuring high client satisfaction and measurable outcomes.
• Build and maintain deep, active relationships within Singapore’s startup ecosystem, with a particular focus on deep‑tech and sustainability ventures, as well as corporate innovation teams and industry partners.
• Mentor, manage, and develop project teams in program delivery, client management, and business growth.
• Monitor project timelines, budgets, and progress reporting to ensure on‑time, on‑scope delivery aligned with strategic objectives.

Skills

Business development

Client management

Contract negotiation

Leadership

Cross-border programs

Bilingual English-Chinese

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor degree in Business or related field

Master degree a plus

Job description

As aProgram Director, you will lead XNode’s cross‑border innovation programsbetween Singapore and China, with a strong focus on GIA acceleration for deep‑techstartups and Corporate Innovation Programs (CIP) for large enterprises. Youwill drive program strategy, business development, client delivery, andecosystem engagement, playing a pivotal role in helping Singapore‑based techventures enter China and enabling corporates to innovate through opencollaboration.

Yourresponsibilities will include:

ProgramStrategy & Delivery

• Lead end‑to‑end GIA acceleration programs: recruit and select Singapore‑based deep‑tech startups that meet Enterprise Singapore’s criteria, and guide them through market validation, mentorship, China immersion, and business matching to achieve commercialization.

• Lead end‑to‑end Co‑Innovation Program(CIP) projects, including sourcing high‑potential applicants and ensuring their active participation, connecting Singapore companies with complementary foreignpartners, providing advisory support to align proposals with CIP objectives,and facilitating evaluation and preliminary assessments for EnterpriseSG.

• Drive corporate innovation consulting engagements, helping clients identify innovation opportunities and source cutting‑edge solutions for the China market.

BusinessDevelopment & Client Engagement

• Identify and secure new business opportunities across both GIA and CIP service lines to meet revenue targets.
• Manage the full client lifecycle – from needs analysis and proposal development to contract negotiation, project delivery, and reporting – ensuring high client satisfaction and measurable outcomes.

Ecosystem& Partnership Development

• Build and maintain deep, active relationships within Singapore’s startup ecosystem, with a particular focus on deep‑tech and sustainability ventures, as well as corporate innovation teams and industry partners.

TeamLeadership & Reporting

• Mentor, manage, and develop project teams in program delivery, client management, and business growth.
• Monitor project timelines, budgets, and progress reporting to ensure on‑time, on‑scope delivery aligned with strategic objectives.

We arelooking for an experienced and entrepreneurial leader who thrives in fast‑paced,cross‑cultural innovation environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Business, Innovation, marketing or a related field; a Master degree is a plus.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in corporate innovation, startup acceleration, management consulting, or cross‑border program management, with a proven track record of delivering complex projects.
• Strong bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese (written and spoken).
• Established network within Singapore’s startup ecosystem and familiarity with government grant schemes.
• Proven experience in client management, business development, and contract negotiation.
• Excellent strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Legally entitled to work in Singapore (Citizen, PR, or holder of a valid work pass).

Nice‑to‑Haves

• Prior experience in managing or deliveringgovernment‑funded or government‑collaboration innovation projects(e.g., EnterpriseSG‑initiated programs, EDG‑CIP, or GIA) in Singapore.

• Experience with Singapore‑China cross‑border innovation projects.
• Familiarity with the Singapore–China innovation ecosystem or Southeast Asia startup landscape.

Why JoinUs

At XNode, you will:

• Be part of a leading cross‑border innovation platform that bridges Singapore, China, and global markets.
• Work closely with startups, corporates, investors, and government agencies to drive real‑world business impact.
• Shape high‑profile programs that directly contribute to the growth of the innovation ecosystem.
• Join a collaborative, entrepreneurial team culture where your ideas and leadership make a difference.