Senior Assistant Director

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR – Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore invites applications for the role of Senior Assistant Director, Finance. The successful candidate will provide strategic financial governance, oversee budgeting, and ensure compliance across the agency while leading a team of finance professionals.

You will partner with senior management, drive digital transformation of finance processes, and shape policy for new initiatives.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accountancy/ACCA, Finance, Economics, Business Management or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant finance experience.
• Strong financial planning and analytical skills.
• Strong business partnering and communication skills.
• Proven leadership, stakeholder management and change-management capabilities.
• High learning agility, meticulousness and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines.
• Open to Singaporeans and Singapore PRs.

Responsibilities

• Finance Leadership: Provide financial leadership and insights to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Drive financial governance across entities to ensure robust controls, public accountability, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead finance support for new initiatives, and high-impact programmes/projects.
• Budgeting & Resource Planning: Lead the annual budgeting and mid-year review processes for A*STAR Entities. Assess sustainability and alignment of budget requests with organisational priorities.
• Internal Controls, Audit & Governance: Maintain and enhance financial policies, internal controls, and compliance processes, including policy development, review, and implementation.
• Strategic Projects & Digital Transformation: Drive Whole-of-A*STAR initiatives, including financial process enhancements and digitalisation.
• People Leadership: Build, coach and inspire a high-performing finance team.
• Other Responsibilities: Any other duties assigned as required.

Skills

Financial planning

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Accountancy/ACCA/Finance/Economics/Business Management

Job description

Senior Assistant Director, Finance

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public-sector R&D agency. We collaborate with public and private partners to drive economic growth, build new industries, and improve lives through scientific advancement and innovation. A*STAR is recognized by many accountancy organizations: ISCA, ACCA, CPA Australia, and ICAEW.

Job Description

The Senior Assistant Director, Finance provides strategic leadership in financial governance, policy development, funding management, and stakeholder engagement across the agency. The role oversees finance operations, drives strategic initiatives, supports new funding initiatives, and ensures compliance with financial, audit and regulatory requirements. The position leads a team of Senior Managers/Managers/Associates.

Key Responsibilities

• Finance Leadership: Provide financial leadership and insights to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Drive financial governance across entities to ensure robust controls, public accountability, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead finance support for new initiatives, and high-impact programmes/projects.
• Budgeting & Resource Planning: Lead the annual budgeting and mid-year review processes for A*STAR Entities. Assess sustainability and alignment of budget requests with organisational priorities. Support RIE 5-year tranche planning through data preparation and cross-division collaboration.
• Internal Controls, Audit & Governance: Maintain and enhance financial policies, internal controls, and compliance processes, including policy development, review, and implementation. Lead interactions with internal and external auditors, including AGO and statutory auditors. Guide the team in resolving audit issues and strengthening compliance culture.
• Strategic Projects & Digital Transformation: Drive Whole-of-A*STAR initiatives, including financial process enhancements and digitalisation. Support ERP implementation and workflow optimisation to improve financial operations efficiency.
• People Leadership: Build, coach and inspire a high-performing finance team. Develop staff capabilities and succession pipelines through training, mentoring and exposure to strategic work.
• Other Responsibilities: Any other duties assigned as required.

Requirements

• Degree in Accountancy/ACCA, Finance, Economics, Business Management or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant finance experience.
• Strong financial planning and analytical skills.
• Strong business partnering and communication skills.
• Proven leadership, stakeholder management and change-management capabilities.
• High learning agility, meticulousness and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines.
• Open to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs).