Manager, Innovation and Technology

WHO WE ARE

Singapore Fashion Council (SFC) – formerly known as Textile and Fashion Federation (Singapore) is the official association for the textile and fashion industry in Singapore. Embracing a transformative vision, SFC aspires to become a Vibrant Asian Hub for Responsible Fashion.

With a focus on four pillars: Sustainability, Innovation & Technology, Internationalisation and Retail, SFC works closely with diverse partners across the value chain to offer thought leadership, extensive networks, and resources – to drive impactful change throughout the ecosystem.

SFC champions programmes which build capabilities, expand Singapore's fashion and textile businesses internationally, and promote environmentally-friendly business practices. We aim to bolster the growth of local fashion designers and retailers and advocate the importance of raising the visibility of homegrown brands both locally and around the globe.

DORS is a leading fashion concept store located at Design Orchard, Singapore, dedicated to celebrating and showcasing a curated mix of Singapore's best local brands. With over 70 homegrown labels under one roof, DORS brings together fashion, lifestyle, and accessories that embody the spirit of Singaporean creativity and craftsmanship.

Driven by a focus on style, sustainability, and storytelling, DORS champions emerging designers, meaningful collaborations, and thoughtfully made products. Every piece tells a story—rooted in culture, powered by individuality, and designed to inspire self-expression.

As a vibrant space at the heart of Orchard Road, DORS is more than a retail store—it's a destination for discovery. From timeless wardrobe staples to bold new statements, DORS connects conscious consumers with the pulse of Singapore's design scene.

Role Overview

Singapore Fashion Council (SFC) is the lead industry association for Singapore's fashion and lifestyle sector. The Innovation & Technology (I&T) division drives the upliftment of Singapore's startup ecosystem across fashion-tech, retail technology, and sustainability technology through structured accelerator and innovation programmes.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Manager to lead two key portfolios within the Innovation & Technology and Industry Development teams. You will take ownership of programme strategy and execution, manage key stakeholder relationships, and drive measurable impact across SFC's innovation and professional development initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities, a genuine passion for the intersection of fashion, entrepreneurship, technology, and sustainability, and the leadership presence to engage effectively with startups, corporates, investors, and government stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation & Technology

• Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of The Bridge Fashion Innovator (TBFI) programmes, including IP commercialisation initiatives, accelerators, scale-up programmes, and open innovation challenges
• Drive strategic goals and KPIs for TBFI and related innovation programmes, ensuring alignment with SFC's broader industry development objectives
• Build and expand SFC's network with key stakeholders across the fashion, business, entrepreneurship, and investment ecosystems
• Lead startup and partner engagement, managing relationships with mentors, corporates, investors, and ecosystem partners to deliver compelling programme content and outcomes
• Oversee the development of programme materials, impact reports, evaluation frameworks, and communications, ensuring quality and consistency
• Represent SFC at industry events, demo days, forums, and ecosystem engagements as a credible voice for innovation in the fashion sector
• Identify emerging trends in fashion-tech, sustainability, AI, and digital transformation to inform programme design and content strategy

Competency-Aligned Responsibilities

The responsibilities of this role are organised below by core competency. This framework guides performance expectations, development, and assessment at the Manager level.

1. Strategic Leadership & Programme Ownership

• Setting direction, driving outcomes, and taking accountability for programme performance across both portfolios.
• Define and deliver strategic goals and KPIs for TBFI and industry development programmes, leading end-to-end execution from planning through impact evaluation

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Development

• Building and managing high-value relationships with diverse ecosystem stakeholders to advance SFC's innovation and industry development agenda.
• Lead engagement with startups, corporates, investors, mentors, government bodies, and training partners to co-create and deliver programme outcomes
• Represent SFC at industry events and forums, building SFC's profile as the leading convener of Singapore's fashion innovation ecosystem

3. Programme & Project Management

• Overseeing complex, multi-workstream programmes with strong governance, rigour, and accountability.
• Lead end-to-end programme management across accelerator, scale-up, and capability development initiatives, ensuring delivery against timelines, budgets, and KPIs

4. Research & Analytical Thinking

• Applying sector knowledge and analytical capability to inform strategy, programme design, and content development.
• Track trends in fashion-tech, sustainability, AI, and digital transformation to continuously sharpen programme relevance and strategic positioning

5. Communication & Content Leadership

• Producing and overseeing high-quality communications and content that reflect SFC's authority and voice in the sector.
• Oversee the development of programme reports, impact frameworks, marketing collaterals, and outreach campaigns across both portfolios

6. Innovation & Entrepreneurial Mindset

• Championing a culture of innovation and bringing an entrepreneurial perspective to programme design and ecosystem engagement.
• Continuously evaluate and improve TBFI programme design, incorporating open innovation approaches and emerging best practices from global accelerator models

7. Leadership

• Manage and mentor one Executive, providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and opportunities for professional development

8. Administrative & Operational Excellence

• Maintaining governance standards and operational efficiency across grant management, compliance, and reporting.
• Oversee grant administration, compliance processes, and reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy and adherence to funder and regulatory standards

9. Industry & Ecosystem Awareness

• Applying a deep and current understanding of Singapore's fashion, retail, and sustainability landscape to shape SFC's programmes and partnerships.
• Lead industry roundtables and strategic engagements that position SFC as the authoritative voice on capability development and innovation in Singapore's fashion sector

Key Requirements

• Degree in any discipline; postgraduate qualification or professional certification in business, innovation, or a related field is an advantage
• Minimum 4 to 6 years of relevant experience in programme management, ecosystem development, accelerator operations, trade association work, or a related field
• Demonstrated track record of leading end-to-end programmes or initiatives with measurable outcomes
• Experience working with startups, investors, or corporate innovation teams is strongly preferred
• Prior exposure to the fashion, retail, or lifestyle industry is an advantage

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities and a bias for action
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills across diverse ecosystem players
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and report writing
• Strong people leadership skills with experience managing or mentoring junior staff
• Highly organised, resourceful, and comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite is an advantage

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Singapore Fashion Council, we are committed to fostering a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that creativity and innovation thrive in an environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Our goal is to create an inclusive culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute their unique talents and skills.

As an equal opportunity employer, we provide fair and equitable opportunities for all individuals to grow and succeed in the dynamic fashion industry. If you think you are the right fit for the role and wish to be part of the SFC team, we would love to meet you.

By submitting your Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume, you agree to your data being used in conjunction with recruitment and employment purposes. To maximize your opportunities to work with us, you are encouraged to keep the information provided accurate, complete and up to date.

Our Data Protection notice for Job Applicants is attached here: https://www.sgfashioncouncil.org.sg/privacy-policy/.

IMPORTANT

We do not collect any of the following:

• NRIC/FIN or any national identifiers.
• Photo
• Date of birth
• Age
• Spouse/Family information
• or any other sensitive personal data that is not required at this stage of job application.

Please do NOT include these in your CV/Resume and we reserve the right to delete such data and/or reject any application that contains the above.

Note: Only Shortlisted Candidates will be notified.