[What the role is]

As Director, Partnerships & Engagement, you will set the strategy and lead the execution of GovTech’s partnerships and engagement portfolio to advance Singapore’s digital government ambitions. You will shape how GovTech works with technology companies, industry partners, government agencies and international counterparts to access capabilities, accelerate transformation and strengthen Singapore’s digital government ecosystem. Working closely with GovTech leadership, you will translate organisational priorities into partnership strategies, lead complex cross-organisational programmes and deliver Whole-of-Government outcomes. You will operate as a trusted thought leader, navigate ambiguity, influence senior leaders in government and industry, and develop leaders and teams to deliver sustained organisation-wide impact.

[What you will be working on]

Key Responsibilities 

• Set strategy and direction for GovTech’s partnerships and engagement portfolio, translating organisational priorities into clear strategies, programmes, OKRs and measurable outcomes. 

• Build and manage strategic partnerships with key technology companies, industry leaders and ecosystem partners, leveraging their capabilities and expertise to advance digital government priorities. 

• Strengthen the technology ecosystem by identifying emerging capabilities, developing new partners and creating mechanisms that connect GovTech and agencies with the right industry capabilities. 

• Lead strategic engagement with international governments and technology leaders, strengthening Singapore’s position and networks in the global digital government community. 

• Lead high-impact programmes and engagement platforms, including executive engagements, industry initiatives and signature events, ensuring they deliver strategic rather than purely engagement outcomes. 

• Advise and influence senior leadership across GovTech and agencies by synthesising partnership opportunities, ecosystem developments, industry capabilities and risks into clear strategic choices and recommendations. 

• Lead complex cross-functional and WOG initiatives, bringing together business, technology, procurement, policy and other stakeholders to address ambiguous problems and deliver shared outcomes. 

• Drive transformation and operational excellence by establishing scalable frameworks, governance, processes, data and technology-enabled approaches that improve programme effectiveness and decision-making. 

• Anticipate and manage portfolio-level risks and competing priorities, while maintaining strong relationships across senior internal and external stakeholders. 

• Build organisational and leadership capability by developing and mentoring leaders, empowering teams, strengthening succession pipelines and fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture. 

What We Are Looking For 

You should bring substantial leadership experience in strategic partnerships, ecosystem development, corporate strategy, industry engagement or a related field. You will have worked directly with C-suite executives and demonstrated an ability to convert senior relationships into organisation-level outcomes. Experience spanning public-sector priorities and the technology industry would be advantageous. 

• Strong executive judgement and communication, with the credibility to advise and challenge senior leaders, simplify complex issues and frame clear strategic choices for government, industry and international audiences. 

• A partnership-oriented leadership approach, grounded in mutual strategic value rather than transactional relationship management. 

• High levels of integrity, organisational awareness, adaptability and resilience, with a strong commitment to public-sector outcomes and the broader organisational interest. 

[What we are looking for]

Competency Requirements 

Strategic Leadership & Alignment — Sets portfolio and divisional direction in alignment with GovTech and Whole-of-Government priorities; defines outcomes and a clear theory of success; and anticipates developments that may affect long-term strategy. 

Programme & Portfolio Management — Converts strategy into an executable portfolio; establishes fit-for-purpose governance, operating models, performance measures and review mechanisms; and maintains accountability for organisation-wide outcomes. 

Problem Solving & Transformation — Frames complex, cross-domain problems; challenges assumptions; determines viable courses of action amid uncertainty; and leads systemic improvements to structures, processes and ways of working. 

Stakeholder & Change Leadership — Aligns stakeholders across GovTech, agencies, industry and international partners; reconciles competing interests; influences without formal authority; and sustains commitment through significant change. 

Industry & Digital Government Acumen — Applies knowledge of the technology ecosystem, commercial drivers, digital government priorities and industry capabilities to identify opportunities, assess trade-offs and inform government decisions. 

Organisational Influence & Culture — Shapes executive perspectives, connects work across organisational boundaries, institutionalises effective practices and fosters collaboration, innovation and OneGovTech outcomes. 

People & Leadership Development — Builds leadership capacity through clear expectations, empowerment, coaching and succession planning; strengthens talent pipelines; and creates an inclusive, accountable and high-performing organisation.