Director, Ecosystem Development & Strategic Partnerships (Singapore-China)

Position: Director, Ecosystem Development & Strategic Partnerships

Location: Singapore

Reporting To: CEO

The Opportunity

We are looking for an entrepreneurial and relationship-driven leader to help grow our innovation ecosystem and strategic partnerships in Singapore and across the region.

You will work closely with government agencies, corporates, startups and research institutions to build partnerships, drive innovation initiatives and support international market collaboration.

A key focus of this role is fostering connections between Singapore and China tech innovation ecosystems, creating opportunities for companies, startups and ecosystem stakeholders across markets.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys creating opportunities, connecting diverse stakeholders and building long-term ecosystem relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Ecosystem Development & Partnerships

• Build and manage relationships across government, startup, corporate, investor and research communities
• Develop strategic partnerships and ecosystem initiatives
• Represent the organization within Singapore's innovation ecosystem
• Facilitate cross-border collaboration between stakeholders in Singapore and China

Innovation Programs

• Lead and support innovation, market access and ecosystem engagement programs
• Connect startups, corporates and ecosystem partners to drive business and innovation outcomes
• Support partnership development, market entry and commercialization initiatives across regional markets

Business Development

• Identify new partnership, client and growth opportunities
• Support proposal development, client engagement and commercial discussions
• Contribute to the growth and expansion of the Singapore business

Government & Cross-Border Initiatives

• Engage with government agencies and ecosystem stakeholders on innovation and internationalization initiatives
• Support companies in accessing relevant grants, funding schemes and ecosystem resources
• Drive collaboration opportunities involving Singapore and China stakeholders, including startups, corporates, universities and innovation organizations

Who We're Looking For

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in innovation, ecosystem development, venture building, startup acceleration, corporate innovation, venture capital, consulting or related fields
• Strong stakeholder management and partnership-building experience
• Experience leading multi-stakeholder initiatives and cross-functional projects
• Strong communication, business development and relationship management capabilities
• Familiarity with Singapore's innovation ecosystem and government support landscape

China Market & Language Requirements

• Strong understanding of China business culture and market dynamics
• Demonstrated experience working with Chinese companies, startups, investors, government agencies or ecosystem stakeholders
• Experience managing or supporting Singapore-China partnerships, business development or innovation initiatives is highly preferred
• Professional proficiency in English and Mandarin is required, as the role involves regular communication with Mandarin-speaking stakeholders and reviewing business documents in both languages.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial and self-driven
• Commercially minded
• Relationship-oriented
• Passionate about technology and innovation
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced and ambiguous environments
• Hands-on and execution-focused