Senior Manager (2-year contract), Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Job Description

• Programme Development & Delivery
  • Support the translation of Ministry of Education and university talent priorities into structured programme frameworks, delivery models, and governance mechanisms aligned with RIE2030 requirements.
  • Support the end-to-end development and operationalisation of innovation & entrepreneurship talent development programmes including local internships and an early-stage incubation programme.
  • Develop and execute outreach campaigns and engagement activities to strengthen awareness and participation, through targeted channels.
  • Track programme metrics (inputs, outcomes, feedback) and founder progress to prepare regular updates and post-programme reports for programme leadership and management decision-making.
  • Drive continuous improvement using participant feedback and outcome data ensure programme quality and consistency across runs.
  • Maintain operational excellence through audit-ready documentation and compliance with university and regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Ecosystem Partnerships
  • Build and coordinate a mentor pool, investor network, and ecosystem partner relationships to support founder development and MOE/SMU student outcomes.
  • Grow and steward internal university partnerships across faculty, schools, and institutional stakeholders to embed IIE programmes within the broader SMU ecosystem.
  • Develop senior-level proposals, partnership plans, and performance updates for key stakeholders.
  • Monitor regional and global innovation trends to surface strategic insights, opportunities, and risks to management.
• Student Engagement & Co-development
  • Support student innovation and entrepreneurship clubs through advisory, networks and governance oversight.
  • Coordinate student empowerment opportunities by activating innovation and entrepreneurship clubs to support the running of talent development programmes, including programme planning and execution.
  • Strengthen complementary initiatives such as local internship programmes to broaden the student engagement pipeline.
• Financial Stewardship & Fundraising
  • Support budget planning and day-to-day financial management across related programmes, ensuring transparent and optimal utilisation of grants, donations, and sponsorships in line with institutional standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required postgraduate qualification and specialization in education, business, and/or related fields preferred.
• 5 to 8 years of relevant experience in education programmes, innovation ecosystems, or related domains, with senior level responsibility.
  • Strong interest in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, with awareness of key industry trends and ecosystem players.
  • Knowledge and experience in experiential learning / talent development programme design and delivery
  • Working knowledge of budgeting, grant administration and financial management principles (including reporting requirements and controls).
  • Effective project management and organisational skills-able to plan, track, and deliver multiple workstreams under tight timelines.
  • Internal and external stakeholder management skills, with strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to operate independently with minimal direction, prioritise well, and deliver in high-pressure/high-expectation situations.
  • Sound attention to detail with good documentation habits to support audit readiness and compliance.
  • Ownership and accountability acts with urgency and follows through on commitments.
  • Humility, authenticity, high standards, and outcome driven.
  • Team-oriented and collaborative able to work across functions and support student-facing initiatives professionally.
  • Network in regional/global innovation & entrepreneurship ecosystem will be an advantage.
  • Experience as an educator/mentor to youth would be an an advantage.

• Programme Development & Delivery
  • Support the translation of Ministry of Education and university talent priorities into structured programme frameworks, delivery models, and governance mechanisms aligned with RIE2030 requirements.
  • Support the end-to-end development and operationalisation of innovation & entrepreneurship talent development programmes including local internships and an early-stage incubation programme.
  • Develop and execute outreach campaigns and engagement activities to strengthen awareness and participation, through targeted channels.
  • Track programme metrics (inputs, outcomes, feedback) and founder progress to prepare regular updates and post-programme reports for programme leadership and management decision-making.
  • Drive continuous improvement using participant feedback and outcome data ensure programme quality and consistency across runs.
  • Maintain operational excellence through audit-ready documentation and compliance with university and regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Ecosystem Partnerships
  • Build and coordinate a mentor pool, investor network, and ecosystem partner relationships to support founder development and MOE/SMU student outcomes.
  • Grow and steward internal university partnerships across faculty, schools, and institutional stakeholders to embed IIE programmes within the broader SMU ecosystem.
  • Develop senior-level proposals, partnership plans, and performance updates for key stakeholders.
  • Monitor regional and global innovation trends to surface strategic insights, opportunities, and risks to management.
• Student Engagement & Co-development
  • Support student innovation and entrepreneurship clubs through advisory, networks and governance oversight.
  • Coordinate student empowerment opportunities by activating innovation and entrepreneurship clubs to support the running of talent development programmes, including programme planning and execution.
  • Strengthen complementary initiatives such as local internship programmes to broaden the student engagement pipeline.
• Financial Stewardship & Fundraising
  • Support budget planning and day-to-day financial management across related programmes, ensuring transparent and optimal utilisation of grants, donations, and sponsorships in line with institutional standards.
• Other duties as assigned.