Associate Director (Master's Programmes and Lifelong Education)

Job Description

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join the Office of the Deputy President and Provost as Associate Director, supporting university-wide initiatives in master's programmes and lifelong education.
The successful candidate will lead and manage a diverse portfolio of strategic and operational projects, working closely with senior university leadership, Faculties, Colleges, Schools and central administrative units. The role requires strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, sound independent judgement, excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to translate complex issues into practical solutions.
The position offers opportunities to work on a broad range of university-level initiatives, including data analytics and performance monitoring, digital transformation and emerging developments in lifelong education. The candidate must be comfortable navigating ambiguity, independently driving projects from conceptualisation to implementation, and adapting to evolving university priorities.

• Strategic Project Management and Implementation
• Lead and manage cross-functional, university-wide projects from conceptualisation and planning through to implementation and evaluation.
• Independently assess complex or ambiguous issues, structure problems, evaluate options and develop practical recommendations and solutions.
• Develop project plans, establish milestones, coordinate stakeholders, monitor progress and ensure the timely delivery of project outcomes.
• Proactively identify potential challenges, manage competing priorities and drive projects forward with minimal supervision.
• Undertake new projects and assignments as university priorities evolve, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in managing a diverse portfolio of work.
• Data Analytics, Performance Monitoring and Reporting
• Conceptualise and develop performance monitoring frameworks, dashboards and management reporting tools to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Identify meaningful performance indicators and determine appropriate measures to assess the quality, effectiveness and outcomes of.
• Analyse and synthesise complex datasets, identify trends and emerging issues, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc reports, analytical papers and presentations for senior university leadership, communicating complex information clearly and effectively.
• Strategy and Plans Development, and Process Improvement
• Coordinate committees and working groups to address emerging issues, evaluate options and formulate strategy and plans, including in areas such as online education and the adoption of AI.
• Review existing policies and processes, identify gaps and recommend improvements to strengthen governance, quality and operational effectiveness.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-University Collaboration
• Work collaboratively with senior management, academic leaders, Faculties, Colleges, Schools and central administrative units to advance university-level initiatives.
• Bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating strategic and business needs into clear requirements.
• Lead cross-functional discussions, build consensus and coordinate implementation across stakeholders with differing priorities and perspectives.
• Prepare and deliver clear, well-structured presentations and recommendations to senior management, committees and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution with a strong background in quantitative education research, curriculum and instruction, or learning sciences.
• At least 8 years of relevant full-time professional experience, preferably in strategic project management, institutional planning, business analytics, policy development, management consulting, digital transformation or related areas.
• Proven track record of independently leading and delivering complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, from conceptualisation through to implementation.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure ambiguous problems, evaluate information, exercise sound judgement and develop practical solutions.
• Good understanding of data management, business intelligence tools, dashboards and IT systems, with the ability to conceptualise data requirements and work effectively with technical teams. Deep technical or programming expertise is not required.
• Excellent writing, presentation, interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships, influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams.
• Highly organised, resourceful and self-directed, with a strong sense of ownership, initiative and accountability for results.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently with minimal supervision and deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timelines.
• Flexible, adaptable and comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, with a willingness to take on new responsibilities and projects as required.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience in a university, public sector organisation, or large complex organisation.
• Familiarity with business intelligence and data visualisation tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience supporting senior management committees, institutional governance or cross-functional transformation initiatives.
• Interest in higher education, lifelong learning, digital education and the application of emerging technologies including AI.