Assistant Director, Ecosystem Development [NTUitive]

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is ranked among the world’s leading universities, known for cutting-edge research, industry partnerships, and a bold vision for shaping the future. NTU’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) office brings this mission to life by empowering innovators, translating breakthrough ideas into real-world impact, and building a thriving entrepreneurial community that drives economic and societal progress for Singapore and beyond.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTU and a key innovation driver under NTU I&E, NTUitive oversees the cultivation of startups and spin-offs, as well as the related investments. We are looking for an Assistant Director (I&E Ecosystem Development) at NTUitive to play a pivotal role in shaping NTU’s deep-tech and venture ecosystem. This is a highly visible, strategic position where you will partner with talented science and engineering entrepreneurs to transform cutting-edge technologies into scalable ventures. You will work at the intersection of research, innovation, startups, corporates, and the national innovation ecosystem helping to nurture the next generation of deep-tech founders.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Deep Tech Community Engagement & Ecosystem Building

• Lead the planning, and rollout execution of high-impact innovation and entrepreneurship programmes for researchers at NTU and other Autonomous Universities (Aus) across Singapore.

• Develop and implement engagement strategies with corporates to pilot new open-innovation initiatives involving deep tech talent.

• Identify, attract, and nurture promising early-stage teams, preparing them for venture creation and acceleration pathways.

• Grow and maintain a vibrant community of mentors, advisors, investors, and industry partners to support aspiring entrepreneurs.

2. Programme & Fellowship Management

• Curate and evaluate deep-tech teams for early-stage fellowship support.

• Oversee end-to-end administration including planning, resource allocation, milestone tracking, and stakeholder reporting.

• Ensure smooth and effective programme delivery and strong outcomes for supported teams including cross border immersion activities where applicable.

3. Reporting & Strategic Insights

• Drive programme diagnostics, performance tracking, and data-driven assessments.

• Provide regular reports, insights, and recommendations to NTU management on ecosystem engagement, pipeline development, and venture outcomes.

4. Marketing & Communications

• Develop compelling content, success stories, and communication materials to showcase achievements from NTU’s innovation ecosystem.

• Strengthen NTU’s positioning as a leading hub for science-based entrepreneurship.

5. Additional Responsibilities

• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives and strategic projects within the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Why Join Us:

• Shape the future of deep-tech entrepreneurship in Singapore and Asia.

• Work directly with high-potential founders, researchers, corporate innovators, government partners, and global collaborators.

• Be part of a dynamic, mission-driven team that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning.

• Enjoy NTU’s rich learning and development resources, staff welfare initiatives, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for career progression within the I&E landscape.

Qualifications Must-Haves:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or related discipline.

• At least 8–10 years of relevant experience in innovation, startup ecosystem roles, programme management, or corporate innovation.

• Strong stakeholder and relationship-management skills across academia, industry, and government agencies.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.

• Experience managing grants, programmes, or multi-stakeholder innovation initiatives.

Good-to-Have:

• Experience working with deep-tech founders or R&D teams.

• Familiarity with early-stage venture building, design thinking, or startup methodologies.

• Ability to craft compelling narratives and drive outreach or community engagement.

Appointment may vary and will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.