Senior Assistant Director, HR Policy

Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore leads policy review and development for People policies, ensuring alignment with Public Service directions and legislative requirements. You will translate policy intent into practical, implementable solutions while balancing governance and operational needs.

You will engage stakeholders, benchmark against peers, and work with Workforce Services and Digital teams to convert policies into processes, system requirements, and

Qualifications

• 7 to 10 years of HR experience in policy, HR planning, governance or related areas.
• Strong analytical, research and policy drafting skills with good judgement on risk, precedent and implementation impact.
• Excellent written communication, including experience preparing policy documents and senior-level briefs.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to stand ground while remaining open to better answers.
• Familiarity with Public Service HR frameworks and Singapore employment legislation is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Review and develop People policies, ensuring they are clear, practical and aligned with Public Service directions and legislation.
• Translate policy intent into implementable solutions with governance and operational impact.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to co-develop policy solutions and build support for implementation.
• Work with Workforce Services and Digital teams to translate policies into operational processes and communication plans.
• Advise on policy interpretation, assess deviation requests with clear recommendations and maintain the policy library.

Skills

Policy drafting

Stakeholder management

Public Service HR frameworks

HR governance

Singapore employment legislation

Job description

What the role is:

You will lead the review and development of People policies at A*STAR, ensuring they are clear, practical and aligned with Public Service directions, Whole-of-Government requirements, legislation and sound HR practice. You will work closely with stakeholders to translate policy intent into implementable solutions, balancing organisational needs, employee experience, governance and operational impact.

What you will be working on:

• Review Public Service and Whole-of-Government directives, legislative changes and market practice, and recommend policies to simplify, retire, consolidate or create.
• Develop, review and draft People policies, frameworks and guidelines, taking into account Public Service directions, legislation, operational realities, fiscal implications and implementation risks.
• Conduct impact analysis before policy approval, covering affected employee groups, cost, precedent, systems and process implications, and risks.
• Benchmark A*STAR policy positions against the Public Service and comparable organisations, and use the findings to inform recommendations.
• Engage stakeholders to co-develop policy solutions, test proposed changes and build support for implementation.
• Work with Workforce Services and Digital teams to translate approved policies into operational processes, system requirements and communication plans.
• Advise on policy interpretation, assess deviation requests with clear recommendations and maintain the policy library as a single authoritative source.
• Track post-implementation effectiveness and recommend improvements based on data, ground feedback and changing organisational needs.

What we are looking for:

• Preferably 7 to 10 years of relevant HR experience in policy, HR planning, governance or related areas.
• Strong analytical, research and policy drafting skills, with good judgement on risk, precedent and implementation impact.
• Excellent written communication, including experience preparing policy documents and senior-level briefs.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to hold a position under challenge while remaining open to better answers.
• Familiarity with Public Service HR frameworks and Singapore employment legislation is an advantage.
• All new hires are appointed on a 3-year renewable contract in the first instance.
• The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

About Agency for Science, Technology and Research

MISSIONWe advance science and develop innovative technology to further economic growth and improve lives.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) drives mission-oriented research that advances scientific discovery and technological innovation. We play a key role in nurturing and developing talent and leaders for our Research Institutes, the wider research community, and industry.

Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore. As a Science and Technology Organisation, we bridge the gap between academia and industry in terms of research and development. In these endeavours, we seek to integrate the relevant capabilities of our research institutes and collaborate with the wider research community as well as other public sector agencies towards meaningful and impactful outcomes. Together with the other public sector entities, we develop industry sectors by:

• integrating our capabilities to create impact with Multi-National Corporations and Globally Competitive Companies;
• partnering Local Enterprises for productivity and gearing them for growth;
• nurturing R&D-driven Start-ups by seeding for surprises and shaping for success.

Our research, in addition, also contributes to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. These serve to enhance lives in Singapore and beyond.

VISIONA global leader in science, technology and open innovation

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is a catalyst, enabler and convenor of significant research initiatives among the research community in Singapore and beyond. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors, and bring science and technology to benefit the economy and society.