Manager/Senior Manager, Incubation (1-year contract), IIE

Company Description

Singapore Management University is a place where high-level professionalism blends together with a healthy informality. The 'family-like' atmosphere among the SMU community fosters a culture where employees work, plan, organise and play together building a strong collegiality and morale within the university.

Our commitment to attract and retain talent is ongoing. We offer attractive benefits and welfare, competitive compensation packages, and generous professional development opportunities all to meet the work-life needs of our staff. No wonder, then, that SMU continues to be given numerous awards and recognition for its human resource excellence.

Responsibilities

• This position is for Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE).
• Startup Support
• Provide value-added, high touch support to startups across ideation, acceleration, investment, and scale-up stages, which includes - but not limited to; organization of curriculum components such as Office Hours, Founder's Huddle and regular Founder's update sessions to enhance the skills and competencies of founders.
• Programme Development and Management
• Contribute to designing and implementing strategies for the incubation program to support startups in various stages of development.
• Actively source and recruit promising startups from the SMU and external greater I&E community.
• Oversee and execute the selection process of startups, ensuring a diverse and high-potential cohort.
• Develop and manage program timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Mentors Engagement Programme
• Nurture and sustain an effective mentor engagement programme, ensuring a continuous pool of pro-bono industry expertise, creating impact for startup growth and success.
• Cultivate relationships with mentors, ensuring they are equipped with the resources and guidance needed to maximize their impact on startups.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including partners, investors, and sponsors, to drive collaborative initiatives that meet program goals.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships to support the incubator's growth and the success of startups.
• Curriculum Delivery for BIG
• Contribute to and execute the design of BIG's curriculum and pedagogy to ensure it remains frontier and effective in empowering founders.
• Facilitate the delivery of the incubator's curriculum, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with founder needs.
• Drive continuous improvements to the curriculum based on participant feedback, ensuring relevance and impact.
• Marketing and Outreach
• Represent SMU and BIG actively in the local and international I&E community
• Support the development of marketing strategies to elevate BIG incubation programme's profile and awareness within SMU, locally and regionally.
• Financial Oversight and Fundraising
• Oversee the budget and financial management of the programme.
• Assist in identifying and pursuing funding opportunities, including grants, donations and sponsorships.
• Programme Impact and Evaluation
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the program and its impact on the startup ecosystem.
• Implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the program.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

• Qualifications
• Degree from a university, in any discipline.
• 3-8 years of experience in fast paced working environments, preferably within technology, startups, entrepreneurship and venture capital.
• Service-Oriented and Mission-Driven Committed to making a positive impact by supporting startups, founders, and the innovation ecosystem.
• Excellent Project Management and Organizational Skills Capable of managing multiple incubation programs, timelines, and stakeholders efficiently.
• Strong Communication, Presentation, and Stakeholder Management Skills Able to engage effectively with founders, investors, partners, and internal teams.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Strategically analyzes challenges, identifies opportunities, and implements effective solutions for startups and programs.
• Adaptability and Resilience Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment, remaining flexible and proactive in addressing new challenges.
• Self-Driven and Proactive Comfortable working independently with minimal direction, taking ownership of initiatives, and driving results.
• Systems Thinker Understands the interconnectivity of different stakeholders in the ecosystem and can drive synergies across teams and programs.
• Ownership and Accountability Takes initiative, acts with urgency, and ensures deliverables are met on time with high quality.
• Humble, Authentic, and Coachable Open to feedback, continuously learning, and willing to adapt to improve both personally and professionally while maintaining integrity and collaboration.
• Deep Knowledge and Network in the SE Asia Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Former entrepreneurship experience and strong industry connections would be highly advantageous.
• Designation will commensurate with experience and expertise of the successful applicant.
• Applicants may be invited to take an aptitude and I&E knowledge test as part of the evaluation.
  

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.

Company Description

Singapore Management University is a place where high-level professionalism blends together with a healthy informality. The 'family-like' atmosphere among the SMU community fosters a culture where employees work, plan, organise and play together building a strong collegiality and morale within the university.

Our commitment to attract and retain talent is ongoing. We offer attractive benefits and welfare, competitive compensation packages, and generous professional development opportunities all to meet the work-life needs of our staff. No wonder, then, that SMU continues to be given numerous awards and recognition for its human resource excellence.

Responsibilities

• This position is for Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE).
• Startup Support
• Provide value-added, high touch support to startups across ideation, acceleration, investment, and scale-up stages, which includes - but not limited to; organization of curriculum components such as Office Hours, Founder's Huddle and regular Founder's update sessions to enhance the skills and competencies of founders.
• Programme Development and Management
• Contribute to designing and implementing strategies for the incubation program to support startups in various stages of development.
• Actively source and recruit promising startups from the SMU and external greater I&E community.
• Oversee and execute the selection process of startups, ensuring a diverse and high-potential cohort.
• Develop and manage program timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Mentors Engagement Programme
• Nurture and sustain an effective mentor engagement programme, ensuring a continuous pool of pro-bono industry expertise, creating impact for startup growth and success.
• Cultivate relationships with mentors, ensuring they are equipped with the resources and guidance needed to maximize their impact on startups.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including partners, investors, and sponsors, to drive collaborative initiatives that meet program goals.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships to support the incubator's growth and the success of startups.
• Curriculum Delivery for BIG
• Contribute to and execute the design of BIG's curriculum and pedagogy to ensure it remains frontier and effective in empowering founders.
• Facilitate the delivery of the incubator's curriculum, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with founder needs.
• Drive continuous improvements to the curriculum based on participant feedback, ensuring relevance and impact.
• Marketing and Outreach
• Represent SMU and BIG actively in the local and international I&E community
• Support the development of marketing strategies to elevate BIG incubation programme's profile and awareness within SMU, locally and regionally.
• Financial Oversight and Fundraising
• Oversee the budget and financial management of the programme.
• Assist in identifying and pursuing funding opportunities, including grants, donations and sponsorships.
• Programme Impact and Evaluation
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the program and its impact on the startup ecosystem.
• Implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the program.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

• Qualifications
• Degree from a university, in any discipline.
• 3-8 years of experience in fast paced working environments, preferably within technology, startups, entrepreneurship and venture capital.
• Service-Oriented and Mission-Driven Committed to making a positive impact by supporting startups, founders, and the innovation ecosystem.
• Excellent Project Management and Organizational Skills Capable of managing multiple incubation programs, timelines, and stakeholders efficiently.
• Strong Communication, Presentation, and Stakeholder Management Skills Able to engage effectively with founders, investors, partners, and internal teams.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Strategically analyzes challenges, identifies opportunities, and implements effective solutions for startups and programs.
• Adaptability and Resilience Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment, remaining flexible and proactive in addressing new challenges.
• Self-Driven and Proactive Comfortable working independently with minimal direction, taking ownership of initiatives, and driving results.
• Systems Thinker Understands the interconnectivity of different stakeholders in the ecosystem and can drive synergies across teams and programs.
• Ownership and Accountability Takes initiative, acts with urgency, and ensures deliverables are met on time with high quality.
• Humble, Authentic, and Coachable Open to feedback, continuously learning, and willing to adapt to improve both personally and professionally while maintaining integrity and collaboration.
• Deep Knowledge and Network in the SE Asia Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Former entrepreneurship experience and strong industry connections would be highly advantageous.
• Designation will commensurate with experience and expertise of the successful applicant.
• Applicants may be invited to take an aptitude and I&E knowledge test as part of the evaluation.
  

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.