Assistant Director, Ecosystem Development Partnerships

You will lead the development and activation of JTC’s LaunchPad ecosystems, fostering a vibrant environment for startups, corporates, and research institutions. Your role includes shaping strategy, building partnerships, engaging communities, and designing programmes that drive innovation and collaboration. As a key connector between JTC and external stakeholders, you will strengthen Singapore’s innovation landscape and position LaunchPads as premier hubs for deep tech and emerging industries.

1. Strategic Ecosystem Development • Formulate and execute comprehensive ecosystem development strategies that align with JTC's vision for LaunchPad(s) and Singapore's broader innovation agenda • Identify emerging industry trends and growth opportunities to shape positioning and programme priorities • Define key performance indicators to measure ecosystem health, connectivity, and impact 2. Partnership Development & Management • Build and nurture strategic partnerships with accelerators, venture capital firms, corporate innovation teams, institutes of higher learning, research institutions, and government agencies • Develop and structure collaboration frameworks and partnership agreements that deliver mutual value and sustainable engagement • Lead cross-sector initiatives connecting startups with corporates, investors, and research partners to catalyse innovation and commercialisation 3. Community Building & Engagement • Design and oversee community engagement strategies that foster connection, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among ecosystem participants • Provide targeted support for startups at different stages including mentorship programmes, peer networks, and access to resources • Curate and execute signature events (forums, demo days, networking sessions, and thought leadership platforms) to strengthen LaunchPad's brand and reach 4. Innovation & Talent Programmes • Lead innovation programmes that tackle industry challenges, promote technology adoption, and enable corporate-startup collaboration • Design talent initiatives to attract, retain, and upskill innovation talent within the precinct, working with educational institutions and industry partners • Pilot experimental programmes and proof-of-concepts to test new models of ecosystem activation and value creation 5. Data-Driven Insights & Reporting • Build data collection frameworks and analytical tools to track ecosystem metrics, including startup growth trajectories, partnership outcomes, event engagement, and community sentiment • Generate insights from ecosystem data to make informed strategic decisions, refine programming, and demonstrate impact to senior leadership and external stakeholders • Prepare regular reports and presentations on ecosystem performance, highlighting achievements, challenges, and opportunities 6. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration • Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing team driving ecosystem programmes, partnerships, and community activation • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the department • Work closely with internal teams across JTC to ensure integrated and seamless ecosystem operations • Represent JTC at industry events, government forums, and partner engagements to reinforce the organisation's position as a leader in innovation infrastructure

Applicants should possess: • At least 10 years of relevant working experience with experience in leadership position preferred • Proven track record in ecosystem development, innovation management, corporate partnerships, or startup community building • Strong understanding of the startup and innovation landscape in Singapore and the region • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders across public, private, and academic sectors • Experience in programme design, event management, and community engagement • Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and comfort working with data and metrics • Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management capabilities • Leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and driving organisational change