This is a 2-year contract position as an Innovation Lead in The Sandbox.
INNOVATION LEAD - THE SANDBOX
Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Fixed Terms
Closing on 12 Oct 2025
What the role is
What you will be working on
Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
HCD Consultancy Delivery: Infuse and apply HCD methodologies into consultancy work for the polytechnic’s HCD clients, ensuring user-focused, innovative, and practical solutions.
Training and Coaching: Empower HCD instructors and facilitators by designing and delivering training programs and coaching sessions to enhance their HCD consultancy delivery capabilities.
Programme Development: Drive and curate programs to enable staff and students to deliver consultancy projects as part of final-year projects and capstone projects, fostering applied learning of HCD and real-world impact.
Student Teaching: Deliver content to students enrolled in modules related to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Student Startup Mentorship: Mentor students involved in startup endeavours, providing guidance on HCD application, business model development, and pitching to secure funding or partnerships.
Business Development: Identify and advance business development opportunities for HCD training and consultancy, building partnerships with industry stakeholders and securing new projects.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams (faculty, students, and management) and external partners (industry clients, government agencies) to develop HCD capabilities.
Knowledge Sharing: Share insights and best practices to enhance the polytechnic’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What we are looking for
A good degree in Design Thinking, Innovation, Business, or related disciplines
At least 5–8 years of relevant experience in human-centred design, innovation consultancy, or innovation development.
Demonstrated track record in delivering consultancy projects applying human-centred design methodologies.
Experience in training, teaching, or coaching professionals and/or students in innovation, design, and/or entrepreneurship.
Experience in business development and/or partnership building, particularly with industry or public sector clients
Strong knowledge of Human-Centred Design and its methods (e.g., stakeholder mapping, experience diagramming, rough and ready prototyping).
Ability to design and deliver effective training programmes and workshops for diverse audiences (staff, students, industry clients).
Competence in curriculum/programme development, especially experiential or applied learning approaches.
Excellent facilitation and coaching skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong business acumen with ability to identify opportunities, scope consultancy projects, and manage client relationships.
Effective stakeholder management and communication skills across academic, industry, and government sectors
Passion for innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.
Empathetic and imaginative, with a problem-solving mindset.
Collaborative and iterative, able to work with diverse stakeholders.
About Ngee Ann Polytechnic
At Ngee Ann Polytechnic, our nine academic schools offer over 40 full-time diplomas to a growing student population of more than 15,000. As a public tertiary institution, internationally-recognised for its academic excellence and close industry links, NP prides itself on having a dedicated and professional teaching faculty, complete with campus facilities that are among the finest in the world.
An institution of higher learning, Ngee Ann Polytechnic believes in giving every student an enriching learning experience and every employee the opportunity to build a meaningful career.
If you are a self-starter with an innovative mind, a versatile person with the drive for all-rounded excellence, and a dedicated team player who shares our vision and values, we invite you to join our inspired team.
About your application process
This job is closing on 12 Oct 2025.
If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the job ad closing date, we seek your understanding that it is likely that we are not moving forward with your application for this role. We thank you for your interest and would like to assure you that this does not affect your other job applications with the Public Service. We encourage you to explore and apply for other roles within Ngee Ann Polytechnic or the wider Public Service.