Programme Manager, Heat Resilience & Performance Centre (2-year contract)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

National University of Singapore seeks a Programme Manager for the Heat Resilience & Performance Centre on a 2-year contract. The role oversees research and innovation programmes, driving end-to-end delivery from conceptualisation to impact, with responsibility for budgets, scope, and stakeholder engagement.

The successful candidate will lead high-performing teams, foster partnerships across government, industry and academia, and contribute to the Centre’s reputation as a leader in its field.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required or equivalent in Engineering, CS, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Evidence of continuous professional development in research, innovation management, or programme leadership.
• Experience leading and managing large-scale research or innovation programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of research and innovation programmes aligned to the Centre’s mission.
• Scope, plan, and implement flagship projects within time, budget, and impact targets.
• Monitor progress, manage budgets and resources, and address operational challenges.
• Communicate requirements and report milestones, outcomes, and lessons learned.
• Engage with government, industry, and academic partners to foster collaboration.
• Develop training plans and build capability within the team.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in workflows and processes.
• Support strategic and organisational change at the operational level.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Budget & resource planning

Change management

Communication to technical and non-tek

Team mentorship

Strategic alignment

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Programme Manager, Heat Resilience & Performance Centre (2-year contract)

Job Description

The Programme Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the Centre’s research and innovation programmes, ensuring delivery and success. As a recognised subject matter specialist, the role drives the full operational life cycle of key projects—from conceptualisation and stakeholder engagement to execution, delivery, and continuous improvement. The Programme Manager leads high-performing teams, fosters strong partnerships and collaborations, and maximises the operational impact of the Centre’s activities. This role is pivotal in ensuring the Centre’s research outputs are successfully implemented and applied, strengthening the Centre's reputation as a leader in its field and contributing to the broader goals of the university.

Programme & Project Leadership

• Drive the development, translation, and delivery of research and innovation programmes that advance the Centre’s strategic mission.
• Lead the scoping, planning, and implementation of flagship and strategic research projects.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and budget, and meet high standards of impact for policy, practice, and/or industry.
• Proactively monitor project progress, plan and manage project budgets and resources, address resource gaps, and resolve operational challenges.
• Communicate project requirements, policies, and procedures clearly.
• Report on project milestones, outcomes, and lessons learned in alignment with Centre objectives

Stakeholder Engagement & Specialist Advising

• Build and sustain strong networks across government, industry and academic sectors
• Ability to clarify needs, secure buy-in, and foster collaboration.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve complex or novel issues that arise during programme execution.
• Serve as a subject matter specialist within the Centre, contributing expert input to project design and improvement

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Cultivate a high-performing, innovative, and collaborative team environment that supports the Centre’s goals.
• Motivate, mentor and support project teams, ensuring accountability for delivery commitments.
• Ensure teams have resources and support for success
• Develop and oversee training plans and opportunities for team members.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Advance the Centre’s reputation for excellence by driving process improvements and encouraging innovation.
• Identify, evaluate and implement process and technical improvements to the Centre’s workflows.
• Make critical decisions on technical direction, risk and resource allocation.

Strategic Alignment & Change Management

• Align programme objectives with the Centre’s and NUS’s strategic direction.
• Foster an adaptive, responsive approach to emerging and evolving opportunities and risks.
• Support the Centre Director in implementing strategic and organisational changes at the operational level.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, or related technical/research discipline)
• Additional management/leadership training or certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, MBA) is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Evidence of continuous professional development in research, innovation management, or programme leadership
• Extensive research experience (typically 8+ years post-graduate) in academia, government, or industry, with demonstrated ability to lead or manage large-scale research programmes.
• Proven track record in programme/project management: Experience in scoping, launching, and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder research or innovation projects.
• Experience in conceptualising and pitching high‑impact programmes
• Demonstrated ability to build, maintain, and manage relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders
• Record of resolving complex, ambiguous, or precedent-setting challenges in research or programme execution
• Experience supporting and implementing organisational change, and adapting to evolving strategic or operational priorities
• Able to articulate vision, programme goals, technical requirements, and outcomes to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with global research partners or teams is highly desirable
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results on time and within budget, with clear evidence of impact (e.g., adoption of research outputs, measurable programme outcomes)

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Department : Dean-Med-Research Office

Employee Referral Eligible: No

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