Associate Director

Please apply here: Imperial Global Singapore - Associate Director (sage.hr)

Imperial Global Singapore is Imperial’s formal legal entity in Singapore to undertake research and innovation projects in collaboration with universities, industry, government, and third-sector partners from across the Singapore ecosystem.

Hosted at the Singapore National Research Foundations Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) and located at the National University of Singapore UTown Campus, Imperial Global Singapore provides the physical and administrative infrastructure to extend Imperial’s research and innovation activities to Singapore and broader South East Asia.

The Associate Director, Imperial Global Singapore works as part of the Imperial Global Singapore leadership team (with the Academic Director) to ensure the strategic development and operational effectiveness of the research and innovation centre in Singapore.

The post-holder will play a key role in developing Imperial Global Singapore as a regional hub for high impact partnerships covering research, education and innovation. This will involve representing Imperial within Singapore and the wider region, including engagement with alumni, advancement prospects, industry, government, and third-sector partners to forward Imperial’s strategic goals. The role holder will also support visiting delegation from Imperial, including logistics, itineraries, and event planning in collaboration with the International Relations Office, Advancement, and other teams at Imperial.

The post holder also has operational responsibility for all day-to-day non-academic activities of the centre, including research grant pre- and post-award activities, people management, financial management, and establishing and maintaining partnerships with funders and collaborating institutions. The Associate Director will also be responsible for line management of professional and technical staff, including their recruitment, appraisal, and development.

The position is based full-time in Singapore, at the offices of Imperial Global Singapore. For current Imperial College London employees, this opportunity is available as a secondment.

Key Responsibilities

• With the Academic Director and Leadership in London, lead strategic planning, people strategy and development, and revenue generation, developing and implementing a vision and strategic plan for the long-term success of Imperial Global Singapore.
• Support the development of the strategic plan of Imperial Global Singapore and contribute to developing and implementing a vision and strategy for the next phase of growth of the organisation.
• Collaborate with teams across Imperial to design and execute a dynamic programme of science and technology-focused events in region, showcasing research leadership, innovative founders, and accomplished alumni; host high-level visits from Imperial academics and leadership to connect with industry, investors and academic partners across diverse disciplines.
• Collaborate with the Advancement division to engage with alumni working in key science and technology sectors to leverage areas and connections for collaboration.
• Support the convening of an alumni advisory council for Imperial Global Singapore and leverage the collective advice and connections of this council to advance the university’s mission.
• Partner with various UK representative offices in the region and identify opportunities and resources to support university activities, including the FCDO Science and Innovation Network Singapore, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Business and Trade and London (DBAT) and Partners.
• Be responsible for the day-to-day management of Imperial Global Singapore and Singapore-based research programmes, and its operations and administration, including support for programme Steering Committees and relationship management with the National Research Foundation.
• Operating within the global organisation, significantly support Imperial Global Singapore development through membership in the Imperial Global Singapore Strategy Committee and Advisory Committee.
• Establish and maintain close collaborative relationships with Imperial Global Singapore colleagues and partners across Imperial, other CREATE partners and other Singapore institutions, government departments, industry and other partners and key organisations.
• Represent Imperial in Singapore and wider South East Asia, including in meetings with university, government, industry, and third-sector stakeholders.
• Strengthen and develop partnerships with colleagues, identifying opportunities for cross-regional collaboration.
• Be responsible for the financial control of Imperial Global Singapore and the research programmes it supports.
• With the Academic Director and academic from Imperial, lead the development of new research programmes with collaborators in Singapore in coordination with researchers based in London.

Management

• Plan and manage the finances of Imperial Global Singapore, with responsibility for day-to-day financial operations, reporting to Imperial College London and Singaporean funders.
• Maintain effective administrative and support systems for Imperial Global Singapore to support its operations and integrate the systems and processes of Imperial College London.
• Ensure corporate governance systems are implemented and maintained.
• Oversight of Imperial Global Singapore contracting process with support from external and internal legal support.
• Develop and maintain Imperial Global Singapore’s risk register, implementing mitigating actions as required.
• Plan and oversee the support functions of Imperial Global Singapore, to ensure the effective day-to-day management of the operation.
• Develop and oversee effective ancillary services such as building services, provision and maintenance of equipment.
• Ensure effective delivery of IT services in consultation with Imperial ICT.
• Other duties as may be required for the operation of Imperial Global Singapore.

Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Person Specification

Requirements

Candidates/post holders will be expected to demonstrate the following

Essential (E) / Desirable (D)

Education

Educated to degree level and/or professional qualification

E

Experience

Demonstrable track record of leading a highly effective professional services team within an academic environment

E

Extensive experience in the Higher Education sector or in a similar or related role(s) or substantial relevant experience in another sector, demonstrating development through involvement in a series of progressively demanding work roles

E

Experience in developing science and technology partnerships and networks

E

Proven experience of and ability to manage projects with experience of establishing new facilities/operations

E

Proven relationship management experience and skills

E

Significant proven staff management experience, with the ability to gain their support, motivate and develop them

E

Extensive experience of developing and managing financial and other resources, including preparing, managing and monitoring budgets, and the preparation and analysis of management reports to inform financial and strategic decision-making

E

Experience and self-sufficiency in the use of databases and computer systems, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

E

Knowledge

Particular knowledge and experience of:

• Funding body administration, processes, policies and governance
• Managing support staff within a scientific arena

E

Knowledge of Imperial College London and the UK Higher Education Sector.

E

Knowledge of the Singaporean and wider South East Asia research and innovation ecosystem.

D

Skills & Abilities

Proven leadership skills and ability to introduce new organisational methods

E

Outstanding organisational skills and demonstrable ability to plan strategically. Ability to identify and set priorities (both own and other staff) and work to deadlines.

E

Ability to generate innovative ideas and adept at finding solutions to improve and further both policy and processes

E

Proven analytical and problem solving capability

E

Proven people management skills, including team building, coaching, motivation, and managing performance

E

Proven communication and interpersonal skills with staff at all levels and high level of diplomacy

E

Excellent written and verbal skills, including the ability to develop and implement strategy and policy documents

E

Ability to create, develop and maintain an appropriately skilled, managed and resourced professional and technical team

E

Ability to transfer skills and knowledge to colleagues effectively

E

Proven communication and interpersonal skills with staff at all levels and high level of diplomacy

E

Excellent written and verbal skills, including the ability to develop and implement strategy and policy documents

E

Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.