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

Responsibilities

• Programme Development & Delivery
• Lead the end-to-end outreach strategy, governance, and delivery of the Global Innovation Immersion (GII) China and Rest of World programme and local internships.
• Translate Ministry of Education and university talent priorities into structured programme frameworks, delivery models, and governance mechanisms aligned with RIE2030 requirements.
• 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
• 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. Build and coordinate a portfolio of external partnerships and ecosystem 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 with at least 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 is a plus.
  
  

Other Information

Candidates who do not possess the stipulated qualifications but have relevant work experience may still apply. Remuneration and appointment terms shall commensurate with qualifications and experience. SMU reserves the right to modify the appointment terms where necessary.