Deputy Director, Advisory Services

Lead and oversee the Advisory Services function, managing two key advisory programmes, i.e. Careers & Skills for Community (CSC) and Careers & Skills Advisory (CSA). Key responsibilities include:

• Develop advisory strategies, workplans and service priorities aligned with programme objectives and workforce needs, connecting workshops, outreach and one-to-one advisory into coherent service pathways.
• Lead programme renewal and funding inputs, working with management and Skills & Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) on service scope, performance evidence, manpower and operating requirements, contractual deliverables and implementation arrangements.
• Oversee delivery across HQ and the five Community Development Council (CDC) teams, establishing clear roles, SOPs and service standards; monitor programme KPIs, quality and client feedback, and guide corrective actions to address performance gaps.
• Lead and develop programme managers and team leads; oversee recruitment, manpower planning, deployment and performance management, while supporting staff morale, development and continuity during change.
• Drive alignment with SWDA on CSA integration and Tiered Advisory 2.0, including service scope, client journeys, consultation standards, referrals, case documentation and follow-up arrangements.
• Steer AI and Career Health workshop content and capability development, including content governance, train-the-trainer pathways, coaching and facilitator readiness.
• Guide the development and evaluation of Job Discovery workshops, using labour-market intelligence, JobsNearby supply data and participant insights to inform content and target segments.
• Strengthen data governance, reporting and analytics across CSC and CSA; ensure consistent definitions and reliable dashboards, and translate insights into improvements in outreach, delivery and resource allocation.
• Drive collaboration with PA, CDCs, ServiceSG, training providers and community partners to strengthen district engagement, workshop participation and appropriate referrals to advisory services.
• Oversee CSC programme budget and expenditure management, ensuring compliance with funding conditions, organisational requirements and delegated approval limits.
• Lead operational readiness for programme transitions and digital platform changes, including CareersHorizon and CC4.0 where applicable; coordinate business requirements, testing, data validation, training and service continuity with SWDA/system owners.
• Represent the department in management and stakeholder discussions; prepare papers, presentations and recommendations, communicate changes, and escalate policy, funding and operational risks for timely resolution.

Requirements

• Tertiary qualifications
• At least 12 years of work experience in the public sector or similar with experience in areas such as planning, strategy formulation, partnership and stakeholder engagement and business.
• Strong command of spoken and written English
• Strong in critical thinking, problem solving and stakeholder management
• Proactive and driven
• Adaptable and resilient to change
• Able to manage and operate strategically (big picture), yet meticulous and thorough
• Able to collaborate well and work effectively within and across teams
• Proven team leadership – able to motivate, nurture and guide team members to perform to the best of their abilities

Successful candidates will be offered a 2-year contract in the first instance and may be considered for an extension or be placed on a permanent tenure.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.