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Director, College Strategy & Operations

Nanyang Technological University · Singapore

Operations ManagementExternal listingfull-timeabout 2 hours ago

About The Role

The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CoHASS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) invites applications for the position of Director, College Strategy & Operations.

This is one of the most senior professional leadership role within the College and offers a unique opportunity to shape the strategic and organisational effectiveness of one of NTU's largest and most diverse academic colleges. Reporting directly to the Dean and serving as a key member of the College Leadership Team, the Director, College Strategy & Operations, will lead the transformation and delivery of a broad portfolio encompassing academic administration, postgraduate education, research administration, communications, external relations, governance, finance, and operational services.

We are seeking a strategic, forward-thinking leader with a strong track record of driving organisational excellence, leading large and diverse teams, and partnering with senior stakeholders to deliver institutional impact. The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing the College's strategic priorities, fostering innovation, strengthening operational capabilities, and enabling excellence in teaching, research, and engagement.

Role Impact and Opportunity

As Director, College Strategy & Operations, you will

  • Serve as a trusted strategic advisor and thought partner to the Dean and College Leadership Team, translating vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
  • Lead and inspire a high-performing team of senior administrators and matrix teams across Schools, Centres, and College functions, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Drive organisational transformation by redesigning processes, implementing scalable operating models, and strengthening service delivery across the College.
  • Champion operational excellence, ensuring efficient, effective, and sustainable management of resources, systems, and services.
  • Build strong partnerships across the University to advance interdisciplinary initiatives, institutional priorities, and shared operational goals.
  • Lead complex strategic projects and change initiatives that enhance organisational effectiveness and position the College for future growth and success.
  • Strengthen governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks while ensuring sound stewardship of financial and operational resources.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Planning

  • Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of College-wide strategic initiatives and transformation programmes.
  • Partner with the Dean and senior leadership to develop and implement long-term strategies aligned with University priorities.
  • Provide strategic advice on organisational design, policy development, governance, resource planning, and institutional effectiveness.
  • Anticipate emerging challenges and opportunities, recommending innovative solutions to support the College's evolving needs.

Organisational Effectiveness and Service Excellence

  • Oversee the delivery of a comprehensive portfolio of operational and academic services, including academic administration, postgraduate education, research administration, communications, external relations, and related operational functions.
  • Review, redesign, and optimise business processes, service delivery models, and organisational structures to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives to harmonise practices, improve stakeholder experience, and enhance operational performance across Schools and Centres.
  • Promote data-informed decision-making and leverage technology to drive innovation and continuous improvement.

Governance, Risk and Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with University policies, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.
  • Strengthen risk management frameworks, internal controls, and operational resilience across the College.
  • Provide expert guidance to College leadership on governance, policy implementation, and risk-related matters.

Financial and Operational Leadership

  • Oversee the College's financial planning, budgeting, resource allocation, procurement, and operational management.
  • Ensure prudent stewardship of financial and physical resources while aligning investments with strategic priorities.
  • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, optimise resource utilisation, and deliver sustainable outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with academic leaders, professional staff, University offices, external partners, and other stakeholders.
  • Facilitate collaboration across organisational boundaries to support strategic initiatives and operational excellence.
  • Represent the College on University committees, taskforces, governance bodies, and institutional projects.

Leadership and Talent Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of professional staff leaders, fostering engagement, capability building, and succession planning.
  • Build a high-performance culture that encourages innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  • Champion change management and organisational development initiatives that enhance team effectiveness and employee experience.

Qualifications and Experiences

  • Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. A postgraduate qualification in Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Leadership, or a related discipline will be advantageous.
  • At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, public sector organisations, or other large and complex institutions.
  • Demonstrated success leading broad corporate services, operations, administration, or shared services functions at a senior level.
  • Proven track record in organisational transformation, strategic planning, operational excellence, and change management.
  • Strong experience leading diverse teams and influencing outcomes in complex matrix environments.
  • Sound understanding of governance, compliance, risk management, financial stewardship, and institutional operations.

Key Competencies

  • Strategic leadership and organisational transformation.
  • Executive stakeholder management and influencing skills.
  • Strong commercial, operational, and financial acumen.
  • Ability to lead through complexity, ambiguity, and change.
  • Excellence in programme and project leadership.
  • Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and sound judgment.
  • Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and collaboration skills.
  • Digital and data literacy with an appreciation of technology-enabled transformation.

Personal Attributes

  • Visionary yet pragmatic, with the ability to translate strategy into execution.
  • Collaborative, inclusive, and relationship-oriented.
  • Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a dynamic environment.
  • Highly credible, professional, and trusted in handling complex and sensitive matters.
  • Results-driven with a strong commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Innovative and future-focused, with a passion for building organisational capability and impact.
  • Join us in shaping the future of one of Asia's leading universities and contribute to an environment that advances excellence in education, research, and societal impact.
  • We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
  • Hiring Institution: NTU

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