Senior Manager/Manager, Global Innovation Internships (GII)

(This role is hired on contract basis.)

About The Role

Global Innovation Internships (GII) sends SUTD students overseas for up to 12-months — four months in the classroom, eight months in a live innovation enterprise. This role builds the partnerships, operations, and judgment calls for the ones that follow, in ecosystems that don't all have a finished playbook yet. GII is a pillar of DIVE (Design·AI Innovation and Venture Exploration), SUTD's platform for building future-ready innovators.

More locations are in the pipeline across North America, Europe, and Asia.

This role reports to the Deputy Director, GII, and is based in Singapore. This role carries a requirement for overseas travel to programme locations.

What You Will Do

1. Programme Development and Management

• Work closely with SUTD and GII leadership to develop GII strategy and framework
• Build partnerships with overseas universities, startups, incubators, accelerators, and government agencies across GII locations
• Partner with internal SUTD stakeholders — including the Office of International Relations (OIR), Career Development Centre (CDC), and Venture and Incubation Experience (VIE) — to coordinate programme delivery

2. Run GII Operations End to End

• Oversee student mobility operations in target geographies, including recruitment, onboarding, arrival support, and immigration processes
• Source mentors and local partners who can add to the programme experience and students development
• Monitor programme quality on an ongoing basis, to ensure students meet objectives, submit reports, and receive timely support
• Track outcomes for students who go on to start their own ventures or join startups

3. Support Students Through Their GII Journey

• Guide students toward a successful overseas exchange and internship experience
• Connect students to the people and networks that will do the most for their growth and exposure
• Lead crisis management when something goes wrong on the ground
• Leverage GII alumni to support and enhance the programme

Who We Are Looking For

• At least a Bachelor's degree in any discipline
• Direct experience in an overseas market — exposure to European, North American, or Asian startup and tech communities is preferred
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in higher education, international programmes, global mobility, or business development
• A track record of managing partnerships through to results, not just relationship-building
• A genuine interest in student development, with the ability to mentor individuals and build a high-performing team
• Working knowledge of cross-border student and work visa processes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, comfortable representing the university in international settings
• Awareness of how shifts in visa policy, funding cycles, or political conditions in these ecosystems affect the programme