Director, College Strategy & Operations

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.