Senior Assistant Director, Community Engagement and Partnerships

The Asian School of the Environment (ASE) (https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ase) is an interdisciplinary school at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) that uses Earth and environmental science, engineering, technology, and the social sciences to address key environmental challenges. ASE is a school within the NTU College of Science (CoS). The Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) (https://earthobservatory.sg/) is a research institute with the mission to conduct fundamental research on earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and climate change in and around Southeast Asia, toward safer and more sustainable societies.

We are seeking a Senior Assistant Director, Community Engagement and Partnerships, to lead the communications, events, education-marketing, brand management and partnerships function across EOS and ASE. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in environmental sustainability and in contributing to a more resilient environmental future for Singapore and the region. The incumbent will report to the Interim Director of EOS and/or Chair of ASE. The role supervises three sub-functions and their leads, and is responsible for setting strategy, driving functional restructuring, and advancing financial sustainability for the community engagement and partnerships office. You will play a pivotal role in building and maintaining relationships that translate our science into public understanding, policy influence, and regional collaboration.

This is an exciting opportunity to have significant impact in education, storytelling and stakeholder engagement across Earth and environmental sciences, working with a fantastic group of scientists, staff and students dedicated to forging a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet and communities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the restructuring of a newly merged Community Engagement and Partnerships office, and develop a five-year strategy across communications, events, education marketing, and partnerships.

• Drive the overall growth and expansion of the office to support EOS and ASE’s growth and reputational impact, including EOS’s ambition to serve as a national centre for translational and interdisciplinary Earth and environmental research.

• Oversee integrated communications and media functions, including social media, press relations, and media training to raise visibility across the full breadth of EOS and ASE science.

• Build strategic storytelling and reputation management for EOS and ASE, translating complex research into compelling narratives for policymakers, funders, media, and the public.

• Own the EOS and ASE brand and messaging framework, set editorial and visual standards across all channels, and advise leadership on reputational and crisis communications.

• Monitor communications performance through analytics and regular reporting, using the insight to refine strategy and demonstrate impact.

• Oversee external engagement programmes including schools’ outreach, delegations, open houses, student recruitment, conferences booths, and signature events and set the annual engagement calendar.

• Lead strategy and execution of partnerships across industry, government, and academia, and strengthen EOS/ASE’s international academic reputation.

• Lead workshop planning and convenings for foresight-and-futures and science-to-policy translation programme bringing together academics, government and industry stakeholders.

• Develop the financial sustainability of the office through grants, continuing-education revenue, and external partnerships.

• Manage the communications budget, external vendors and a high performing team across all sub functions.

• Work collaboratively with other key communications teams across NTU and Singapore, including the NTU Corporate Communications office and the College of Science engagement team.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, environmental science, or a related discipline is required. A relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.

• Significant senior experience (15 years+) in community engagement, communications, and partnership building, ideally including a journalism or media background. At least 3-5 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role.

• Proven experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams, including managing team leads, with the ability to work collaboratively across functions at a strategic level.

• Demonstrated strategic leadership including building and delivering multi-year strategy, leading organisational or functional restructuring, and driving high-profile projects from concept to impact.

• Proven track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with government, industry, and academic stakeholders, ideally in Singapore and/or Southeast Asia.

• Experience developing financial sustainability through grants, earned revenue (e.g. continuing education), and institutional or industry support would be a plus.

• Exceptional strategic storytelling skills with the ability to craft a compelling narrative from complex or politically sensitive environmental data and communicate them effectively to diverse stakeholders and the public.

• Working knowledge of the Singapore and ASEAN environmental-policy landscape (e.g. the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and relevant ASEAN environmental agreements) would be beneficial.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound judgement; and the ability to operate confidently across media, science, policy, and public-facing contexts.

• Experience in digital communications and brand management, including establishing a consistent brand and messaging framework and editorial and visual standards across publications, websites, and digital channels.

• Experience managing external vendors and agencies as well as communications budgets to deliver cost-effective creative, media, and digital services, and using communications analytics to measure performance and inform strategy.

We seek a diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all and recruit on the basis of merit, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, marital status and family responsibilities, or disability.

Please submit a CV and Cover Letter to apply. All applications and materials submitted will be held in strict confidence.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.