Senior Assistant Director (Ecosystem Integration), National AI Development

Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI); Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) is seeking a Deputy Director (Ecosystem Integration) to spearhead Singapore's AI ecosystem efforts. You will lead the Lorong AI community, drive cross‑sector partnerships, and guide initiatives that connect researchers, startups, enterprises, investors, and government agencies.

You will build a high-performing team, shape programmes, manage market access activities, and represent Singapore's AI ecosystem in engagements both locally and

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and execution demonstrated by managing teams and multi‑workstreams.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with ability to turn ideas into practical plans.
• Excellent stakeholder management with senior leaders, researchers, investors, and government.
• Operationally organized, processes-focused, and capable in fast-moving environments.
• Genuine interest in AI and innovation within Singapore's tech ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Drive ecosystem integration initiatives translating priorities into programmes and partnerships.
• Oversee Lorong AI operations and community including engagement, partnerships, and day-to-day activities.
• Lead programming, market access, and partnerships connecting startups with customers and government bodies.
• Build and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team across operations, programming, and partnerships.
• Represent Singapore's AI ecosystem and build trusted relationships with government, industry, academia and international partners.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Operational excellence

Communication

AI/innovation interest

Public-private partnerships

Job description

About the Role

Singapore is building a world-class AI ecosystem, bringing together researchers, startups, enterprises, investors, and government to accelerate AI innovation and adoption.

The National AI Group (NAIG) drives Singapore's national AI ambitions. As part of this effort, the Ecosystem Integration team strengthens connections across Singapore's AI ecosystem, helping promising ideas, talent, and companies find the partners, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.

At the heart of this work is Lorong AI, Singapore's AI community hub, which brings together practitioners from across research, industry, and government through community-building, technical programming, partnerships, and market access initiatives.

We are looking for a Deputy Director (Ecosystem Integration) to lead the execution of these efforts, build a high-performing team, and help shape Singapore's AI ecosystem.

This is a leadership role for someone who combines strategic thinking with strong operational instincts. You should be equally comfortable engaging senior stakeholders, developing new initiatives, managing a team, and rolling up your sleeves to get things done.

What You Will Do

1. Drive ecosystem integration initiatives

• Translate Singapore's AI ecosystem priorities into concrete programmes, partnerships, and initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Oversee initiatives that connect AI researchers, founders, enterprises, investors, and government agencies, facilitating collaborations that advance AI research, commercialization, and adoption.
• Identify gaps and opportunities in the ecosystem, and develop practical interventions in partnership with public and private sector stakeholders.
• Establish clear objectives, performance indicators, and feedback mechanisms to evaluate and continuously improve initiatives.

2. Oversee Lorong AI's operations and community

• Provide leadership and oversight of Lorong AI as a vibrant, high-value community hub for Singapore's AI ecosystem.
• Guide the team responsible for community engagement, membership, partnerships, marketing, and day-to-day operations.
• Ensure that Lorong's physical space, member experience, and community activities support broader ecosystem objectives.
• Build sustainable processes and operating models that enable Lorong to grow in scale, impact, and reach.

3. Drive programming, market access, and partnerships

• Oversee the development and delivery of high-quality programmes, including technical workshops, founder and researcher gatherings, industry engagements, and ecosystem events.
• Lead market access initiatives that connect AI startups and solution providers with potential customers, industry partners, and government agencies.
• Work with ecosystem relationship managers to identify opportunities in research commercialization, talent development, startup growth, investment, and international collaboration.
• Cultivate partnerships with universities, research institutions, startups, enterprises, investors, and international AI ecosystem organizations.

4. Build and lead a high-performing team

• Manage a multidisciplinary team spanning operations, community, programming, partnerships, and ecosystem relationship management.
• Set clear priorities, establish accountability, and ensure effective coordination across workstreams.
• Coach and develop team members, building a culture of ownership, initiative, collaboration, and high-quality execution.
• Oversee resource planning, budgets, procurement, and operational processes to ensure effective delivery.

5. Represent Singapore's AI ecosystem

• Build trusted relationships with key stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and the startup ecosystem.
• Represent NAIG and Lorong AI at ecosystem engagements, industry events, and meetings with international delegations.
• Communicate Singapore's AI ecosystem strengths, opportunities, and initiatives to local and international partners.

Requirements

What We Are Looking For

• Strong leadership and execution: Demonstrated experience managing teams, overseeing multiple workstreams, and delivering complex initiatives with minimal supervision.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset: Able to see the bigger picture, identify opportunities, and turn ideas into practical, actionable plans.
• Excellent stakeholder management: Confident engaging senior leaders, founders, researchers, investors, and government officials, with the ability to build trust and navigate diverse interests.
• Operational excellence: Highly organized, resourceful, and comfortable building processes, managing resources, and resolving problems in a fast-moving environment.
• Strong communication and presence: An effective communicator who can represent the organization confidently, facilitate discussions, and engage diverse audiences.
• Genuine interest in AI and innovation: Familiarity with Singapore's technology, startup, research, or innovation ecosystem is highly desirable.
• Relevant experience: Experience in ecosystem development, technology, innovation, startups, partnerships, programme management, or organizational leadership. Experience in both the public and private sectors is an advantage.

We value initiative, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to get things done. You do not need to be an AI technical expert, but you should be excited about technology and understand what it takes to build a thriving innovation ecosystem.

Above all, we are looking for a self-starter who can lead independently, build strong teams, and turn ambitious ideas into tangible results.