Senior Associate Director, Finance Lead (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Singapore is seeking a Senior Associate Director, Finance Lead for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This pivotal role involves overseeing financial planning, leading a team, and advising leadership on budgeting and resource allocation. The ideal candidate has over 15 years of experience in finance, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven ability to drive strategic initiatives. Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in finance-related fields, with MBA or CPA qualifications being advantageous. The position is open only to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

Qualifications

• Over 15 years of progressive experience in finance, focusing on strategy development and analysis.
• Proven track record in leading high-performing teams.
• Strong project and change management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budget planning, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Advise senior leadership on financial planning and investment priorities.
• Maintain financial integrity and conduct risk assessments.

Skills

Financial planning

Leadership

Communication

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business

MBA, CPA, or CFA qualifications

Job description

Senior Associate Director, Finance Lead (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)

About Us

Join the National University of Singapore (NUS) Finance Team – Where Innovation Meets Excellence

At NUS, the Office of Finance stands as a dynamic and strategic partner, driving financial sustainability and operational excellence. Our team plays a crucial role in overseeing financial planning, optimising resources, and enabling the University’s ambition and innovation.

We are at the forefront of formulating, reviewing, and analysing the University’s operating, strategic, and capital budgets. Through strong governance, robust financial processes, and cutting‑edge systems, we ensure every dollar is put to its best use, fueling research, education, and transformation.

Why Join Us?

🚀 Make an Impact: Play a key role in shaping financial strategies that influence the University’s growth and global standing.

📈 Growth & Development: We believe in continuous learning, offering mentorship, career development, and upskilling opportunities.

🤝 Collaborative Culture: Join a high‑performing team that values trust, innovation, and excellence.

🔹 Finance Transformation: Be part of initiatives leveraging SAP S4 Hana, AI‑driven analytics, and digital finance solutions to drive efficiency and future‑ready finance operations.

If you are passionate about finance, thrive in a dynamic environment, and want to be part of a team that drives meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us and be a part of shaping the future of finance at NUS!

Website: https://www.nus.edu.sg/finance

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nus-office-of-finance/

Job Description

The Finance Lead serves as the key financial leader supporting the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Reporting to Director (Faculty Finance), this role is responsible for leading a team in resource planning and financial analysis, providing insightful data to support school and central leadership in decision‑making, and driving operational efficiency and cost‑benefit evaluations.

In addition to strengthening finance business partnering with faculties, the role includes enhancing internal controls, managing gift funds, and ensuring the effective integration and continuous improvement of financial systems and processes. The Finance Lead will collaborate closely with faculty and central management to promote financial excellence, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and maintain the accuracy and integrity of financial records and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Present and communicate critical financial matters to faculty and central leadership; contribute to strategic planning and financial management.
• Advise senior leadership on budgeting, financial planning, investment priorities, and policy decisions to ensure alignment with institutional goals.
• Lead annual budget planning, forecasting, and variance analysis; manage resource allocation and oversee financial reporting to support informed decision‑making.
• Partner with departments to implement forward‑looking financial strategies, improve fund management, and enhance reporting systems.
• Maintain financial integrity, compliance, and internal controls; conduct risk assessments and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Provide financial leadership in organizational change and process improvement initiatives to drive efficiency and sustainable value.
• Develop and manage cost‑effective data systems for accurate costing and timely financial insights.
• Oversee the proper recording, utilization, and reporting of donations and matching grants in line with donor intent.
• Support system and process enhancements by providing financial insights and participating in central finance‑led initiatives.
• Act as an inspiring and effective people manager—motivating, developing, and empowering team members to perform at their best, while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field; MBA, CPA, or CFA qualifications are advantageous.
• Over 15 years of progressive experience in finance, with a strong focus on financial planning, strategy development, and financial analysis.
• Proven track record in people leadership, with the ability to inspire, develop, and lead high‑performing teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; able to convey complex information clearly, concisely, and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Self‑motivated, resourceful, and collaborative, with the ability to build strong working relationships across business functions.
• Strong project and change management capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficient in leveraging data analytics and technology tools to deliver effective FP&A outcomes.
• Solid working knowledge of IFRS, business processes, and internal controls

The position is only open to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: National University of Singapore

Department: Office of Finance

Employee Referral Eligible: Yes

Job requisition ID: 30246

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