Job Description

The Centre for International Law (CIL) at NUS is a university-level research institute dedicated to the development and promotion of international law in the Asia Pacific region. As part of a dynamic academic ecosystem, CIL offers thought leadership and contributes to policy-relevant research on pressing global and regional legal issues.

We are inviting applications for the Senior Manager position, a key leadership role overseeing the Centre’s operational, financial, and administrative functions. The successful candidate will partner closely with the Centre Director and engage with various internal stakeholders across university and external partners to ensure operational excellence and financial sustainability aligned with the Centre’s mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Leadership:

• Support the Centre Director in implementing CIL strategic initiatives and organizational priorities;

• Oversee the Centre’s day-to-day operations, ensuring efficient delivery of administrative services including HR, procurement and space management;

• Lead the development and consolidation of annual workplans covering research activities, events, travel, student research and publications;

• Design and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to enhance internal efficiency;

• Drive change management and continuous improvement efforts in response to evolving institutional and research needs;

• Manage and support special projects as assigned by the Centre Director.

Financial Oversight and Reporting

• Develop and implement a financial sustainability plan to support the Centre’s continued growth;

• Oversee financial and budget management of both core and project-specific funding, including planning, forecasting and expenditure tracking;

• Ensure compliance with university financial policies and grantor requirements;

• Prepare timely board-level and funder-specific financial reports including tranche reports, annual financial statements;

• Coordinate internal and external audits, manage fixed asset governance, and ensure proper financial controls in procurement and operations;

• Serve as an approver in systems including SAP S4Hana, BOSS, Service Hub, and ARIBA.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as a key liaison between CIL and university departments, business partners and external funding bodies;

• Represent CIL in meetings and discussions with institutional and external stakeholders as delegated;

• Cultivate and manage relationships with funding partners to support long-term strategic partnerships;

• Support external communications and reporting to funding partners.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from a reputable institution is required. A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education, or a related field would be an asset;

• 8-10 years of relevant experience in managerial roles, preferably in research administration, finance, or higher education;

• Demonstrated experience in budget management, grant administration and financial reporting;

• Familiarity with compliance requirements related to research funding and audits;

• Strong leadership, analytical and strategic planning skills;

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement capabilities;

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment;

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and familiar with systems such as SAP and ARIBA.

More Information

Location: Bukit Timah Campus

Organization: Centre for International Law

Department : Centre for International Law

Employee Referral Eligible:

Job requisition ID : 30530