Senior Manager/Manager, Global Innovation Internships (GII)

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD); Singapore; On-site; SGD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) invites applications for a Global Innovation Internships (GII) role, focused on developing and running international student exchange and internship programmes. You will partner with overseas universities, startups, and government agencies to shape strategy and deliver impactful experiences.

Based in Singapore with travel to programme locations, you will manage operations end-to-end, mentor participants, monitor outcomes, and lead crisis

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in any discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in higher education, international programmes, global mobility, or business development.
• Experience in managing partnerships through to results.
• Genuine interest in student development with mentoring ability.
• Working knowledge of cross-border student and work visa processes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for international settings.
• Awareness of visa policy, funding cycles, or political conditions affecting programmes.

Responsibilities

• Develop GII strategy and framework with SUTD and GII leadership.
• Build partnerships with overseas universities, startups, incubators, accelerators, and government agencies across GII locations.
• Coordinate programme delivery with Office of International Relations (OIR), Career Development Centre (CDC), and Venture and Incubation Experience (VIE).
• Oversee student mobility operations, including recruitment, onboarding, arrival support, and immigration processes.
• Source mentors and local partners to enhance the programme experience.
• Monitor programme quality to ensure objectives are met and timely support is provided.
• Track outcomes for students who go on to start ventures or join startups.
• Guide students toward overseas exchange and internship success.
• Connect students to networks that aid growth and exposure.
• Lead crisis management when something goes wrong on the ground.
• Leverage GII alumni to support and enhance the programme.

Skills

Overseas market experience

Partnership management

International programme development

Team leadership

Cross-border visa processes

Education

Bachelor's degree (any discipline)

Job description

Global Innovation Internships (GII) sends SUTD students overseas for up to 12-months — four months in the classroom, eight months in a live innovation enterprise. This role builds the partnerships, operations, and judgment calls for the ones that follow, in ecosystems that don't all have a finished playbook yet. GII is a pillar of DIVE (Design·AI Innovation and Venture Exploration), SUTD's platform for building future-ready innovators.

More locations are in the pipeline across North America, Europe, and Asia.

This role reports to the Deputy Director, GII, and is based in Singapore. This role carries a requirement for overseas travel to programme locations.

What You Will Do

1. Programme Development and Management

• Work closely with SUTD and GII leadership to develop GII strategy and framework
• Build partnerships with overseas universities, startups, incubators, accelerators, and government agencies across GII locations
• Partner with internal SUTD stakeholders — including the Office of International Relations (OIR), Career Development Centre (CDC), and Venture and Incubation Experience (VIE) — to coordinate programme delivery

2. Run GII Operations End to End

• Oversee student mobility operations in target geographies, including recruitment, onboarding, arrival support, and immigration processes
• Source mentors and local partners who can add to the programme experience and students' development
• Monitor programme quality on an ongoing basis, to ensure students meet objectives, submit reports, and receive timely support
• Track outcomes for students who go on to start their own ventures or join startups

3. Support Students Through Their GII Journey

• Guide students toward a successful overseas exchange and internship experience
• Connect students to the people and networks that will do the most for their growth and exposure
• Lead crisis management when something goes wrong on the ground
• Leverage GII alumni to support and enhance the programme

Who We Are Looking For

• At least a Bachelor's degree in any discipline
• Direct experience in an overseas market — exposure to European, North American, or Asian startup and tech communities is preferred
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in higher education, international programmes, global mobility, or business development
• A track record of managing partnerships through to results, not just relationship-building
• A genuine interest in student development, with the ability to mentor individuals and build a high-performing team
• Working knowledge of cross-border student and work visa processes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, comfortable representing the university in international settings
• Awareness of how shifts in visa policy, funding cycles, or political conditions in these ecosystems affect the programme