Strategic Ventures Lead: Kernel Fund (2-Year Contract)

hyperscal solutions pte. ltd.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Singapore Management University seeks a senior program lead to drive Kernel Fund strategy, governance and milestone planning across multiple workstreams, coordinating with faculty, industry partners and donors.

You will develop SOPs, due diligence processes, and a portfolio dashboard while advancing talent initiatives and market engagement across SMU units. Strong collaboration and governance skills are essential in this university innovation role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Engineering, Technology, Law, Public Policy or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA or Master’s) advantageous.
• Proven ability to launch and operationalize new programmes, funds, venture-building platforms or innovation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of startup lifecycle including market validation, IP licensing, spin-off formation, cap table considerations, fundraising and scaling.
• Experience in grant, investment or fund processes including due diligence, panel management, milestone-based funding, portfolio governance and reporting.
• Strong stakeholder management to influence faculty, founders, students, alumni, investors and partners.
• Excellent financial stewardship, governance and compliance orientation; comfortable with donor-funded or public-funded programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development, launch and implementation of Kernel Fund aligned with MOE and national RIE2030 objectives.
• Translate Kernel Fund into a scalable operating platform with clear objectives, governance, and success metrics.
• Develop and maintain Kernel Fund implementation roadmap across workstreams (networking, talent initiatives, pathway validation, portfolio progression).
• Design governance framework, approvals, panel composition, and escalation protocols; align with internal stakeholders and donors.
• Establish due diligence processes for projects, mentors, venture builders and external partners; develop templates and post-award monitoring.
• Support licensing, equity arrangements and milestone-based vesting in consultation with SMU units and legal team.
• Build Kernel Fund pipeline by coordinating networking, co-founder matching and engagement of ecosystem actors.
• Prepare management papers, KPI dashboards and reporting to fund governance bodies and donors.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Governance & compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Postgraduate qualification (MBA or Master’s)

Job description

Singapore Management University seeks a senior program lead to drive Kernel Fund strategy, governance and milestone planning across multiple workstreams, coordinating with faculty, industry partners and donors.

You will develop SOPs, due diligence processes, and a portfolio dashboard while advancing talent initiatives and market engagement across SMU units. Strong collaboration and governance skills are essential in this university innovation role.