Director, Ecosystem Development

Job Description

Work closely with the Vice President (Ecosystem Building) on execution of the strategy to grow a vibrant Innovation & Enterprise (I&E) Ecosystem from NUS and globally.

• Develop strategies and directions for scaling existing startups to reach larger funding rounds (e.g., Series A and above).
• Responsible for programme related activities that are operated by Ecosystems Builder team.
• Manage and oversee the GRIP programme staff and BLOCK71 China, both locally and overseas.
• Co-oversee Portfolio team to actively support companies within the portfolio.
• To grow the NUS and national entrepreneurial ecosystem and Intellectual Property translation by proactively working with other Enterprise units and Colleges across NUS for joint activities.
• Negotiate and complete non-complex licenses and related agreements, including development of business terms and overseeing internal diligence procedures prior to agreement signings.
• Generate impactful outcomes in terms of tech translation within NUS and NUS Enterprise.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Execution

• Evaluate the performance of individual units in Ecosystem Development, oversee progress towards set goals, and actively support portfolio companies by providing strategic guidance, resources, and mentorship to drive their growth and success. 
   

Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP) Management and Growth

• Position NUS GRIP as a premier university-operated deep tech venture creation program that effectively transforms university research and talent into market-ready startups.
• Drive strategic initiatives that enhance NUS GRIP's position within the deep tech startup ecosystem and establish it as the regional thought leader in university Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of GRIP, ensuring they align with the program's strategic objectives and are executed effectively.
• Oversee the development and refinement of program methodologies to adapt to changing industry dynamics.
• Lead and inspire a team dedicated to the program's mission, fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement.
   

Ecosystem Global Growth

• Spearhead global expansion efforts for NUS Enterprise Ecosystem Development’s flagship programmes, such as BLOCK71 China office.
• Lead negotiations and strategic engagements with multinational corporations and local businesses, driving support and partnership opportunities that enhance the global presence and sustainability of NUS’s entrepreneurial initiatives.

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Collaboration and Partnerships

• Engage in high-level negotiations to secure partnerships and funding that support the programme’s objectives.
• Work collaboratively with various departments within the NUS Enterprise ecosystem to ensure cohesive efforts and shared objectives.
• Develop and maintain robust relationships with key stakeholders including I&E offices across institutions, industry leaders, and potential investors.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with key academic stakeholders within NUS to ensure a continuous pipeline of promising projects and innovations.
   

Budget and Governance Management

• Regularly report progress and strategic insights to NUS leadership and other key stakeholders to ensure transparency and ongoing support for the programme’s initiatives.    
• Oversee and negotiate complex agreements with partners, including development of business terms and internal diligence procedures prior to agreement signing.
   

Team Management

• Manage growth opportunities for staff and ensure engagement, including supervising the training and development of the GRIP and BLOCK71 China team. 

Qualifications

Leadership Skills

• Strong leadership and management skills, demonstrated by the ability to inspire and effectively lead a diverse team.
• Ability to lead and inspire a team committed to the program's mission, fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• High level of interpersonal skills, enabling effective interactions with leaders at various levels.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing program teams and collaborating with complex stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.
   

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years in venture capital, demonstrating successful exits and deep knowledge of technology transfer processes.
• Proven ability to scale startups to revenues over $100M and lead at least 5 companies to Series A funding.
• Experience with managing incubators or accelerators in a deep tech environment preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience managing a team of over 10 people with diverse skillsets including technical, finance and operations.
• Comprehensive understanding of startup fundraising and growth dynamics.
• Skilled in developing strategic initiatives aligned with organisational goals and responsive to market changes.
• Strong relationship-building skills with stakeholders across academia, industry, and investment sectors.
• In-depth knowledge of the NUS research environment, especially in technology spinoff and licensing.
• Demonstrated expertise in nurturing significant relationships within global and local communities.
• Demonstrate initiative, adaptability and creative problem-solving.
• Passionate in working with cutting-edge technologies and the next great ideas, and to contribute to helping these discoveries make a difference in the world.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM field
   

Communications

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, ensuring effective engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.
   

Collaboration

• Strong capability in building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including academics, industry experts, and investors.

More Information

Job Type: 2-year Contract 
Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: NUS Enterprise

Department : Ecosystem Development

Job requisition ID : 25477