Senior Assistant Director

Intellectual Property Office of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 20,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A national intellectual property office in Singapore is seeking a Senior Assistant Director to lead strategic policy development and enhance Singapore's IP ecosystem. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in policy implementation and industry engagement. You'll represent Singapore internationally and manage operations within the Registry of Patents, Designs, and Plant Varieties. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential, along with a commitment to team leadership.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of proven experience in policy development and analysis.
• Extensive experience managing operations and engagements with senior stakeholders.
• Commitment to work ethic with leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review and implementation of strategic policies for Singapore's IP services.
• Manage the registration and operations of patent agents.
• Monitor international developments affecting Singapore's IP landscape.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Operations management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving capabilities

Communication skills

Relationship management

Job description

What the role is:

Senior Assistant Director (Policy & Programme), Registries of Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties

Great ideas do not discriminate, and anyone can have them. Given the right protection and support, a great idea can become a power brand, a transformative technology, an innovative process, a design, or even a song or story that moves one’s soul.

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore works with creators, innovators and innovative companies to catalyse the ideas of today and transform ideas into the assets of tomorrow. We leverage our deep technical, legal and business expertise to help innovative enterprises grow using their intangible assets, including IP.

The Registries of Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties (PDPVP) supports IPOS’ vision by building and maintaining a top‑rank IP regime in the world.

What you will be working on:

• Lead the review, development, and implementation of strategic policies to strengthen Singapore's IP services ecosystem and advance industry competitiveness.
• Lead the review, development, and implementation of policies and programmes for the Registry of Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties (including legislative reform, stakeholder engagement, and operational implementation).
• Manage the administration and operations of the registration of patent agents and foreign patent agents, including the administration of the Patent Agents Qualifying Examination.
• Monitor international developments in Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties to assess strategic impact on Singapore's interests.
• Represent Singapore’s interests at international meetings/forums regarding Patent, Designs and/or Plant Varieties matters (may require foreign travel up to three times a year, each trip usually not longer than five working days).

What we are looking for:

• At least 10 years of proven work experience in:
  • Policy development, analysis, and execution (whether through legislative means or otherwise)
  • Industry development, with substantial exposure to senior‑level stakeholder engagement
  • Operations management
• Committed work ethic, with extensive experience supervising and leading a team.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills at senior government and industry levels.
• Background in law and/or intellectual property will be advantageous.

About Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) is the national authority that registers and is responsible for the administration of IP rights in Singapore. IPOS helps businesses use intangible assets (IA) and IP to grow and is committed to building Singapore into an international IA/IP hub. We help to catalyse a future driven by life‑enhancing, commercially successful ideas created by businesses, professionals and everyday people. We help to turn today’s ideas into tomorrow’s assets. IPOS is a statutory board under the Ministry of Law.