Manager, Sector Partnerships - Aviation (Contract)

Overview

This contract-based position is with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) focusing on managing and advancing partnerships within the Aviation sector, including stakeholders like CAAS, ICAI, CAG, SIA, and SATS. The Manager plays a pivotal role in translating strategic sector plans into actionable partnership opportunities, facilitating collaborative research and innovation, and ensuring aviation industry collaborators are well aligned with SUTD’s capabilities.

Role Highlights

Working alongside the Assistant Director of Aviation, this role is the lead in managing business development and stakeholder relationships within the aviation portfolio. It bridges academic and research communities at SUTD with airlines, regulators, ground handlers, and related agencies, ensuring aviation-related activities are commercially viable, institutionally supported, and in line with national innovation goals. The job involves cultivating and coordinating key internal and external stakeholder relationships, managing collaborative research projects, innovation challenges, and co-development programs. The manager acts as the primary working-level liaison, advancing agendas, facilitating discussions, and ensuring timely follow-ups while supporting senior leadership with analyses and strategic briefs.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the Assistant Director by preparing briefing materials, speeches, options papers, and follow-ups for engagements with aviation stakeholders domestically and internationally.
• Analyzing partnership opportunities and advising on risks and strategic positioning.
• Setting and executing the Aviation sector’s strategic engagement plan aligned with broader objectives, including setting targets for partnerships and impact metrics.
• Mapping SUTD faculty expertise to partner needs and developing value propositions.
• Building and maintaining key relationships with aviation entities such as CAAS, ICAI, MOT, LTA, and industry players like ST Engineering and A*Star.
• Leading proposal development for research collaborations, innovation testbeds, joint labs, and executive education partnerships, coordinating across multiple internal departments.
• Negotiating high-level partnership terms including funding, intellectual property rights, governance, and timelines.
• Managing program delivery, tracking milestones, organizing site visits (including secure facility access), and coordinating major aviation events like the Singapore Airshow.
• Overseeing budgeting and financial tracking for the Aviation sector, including expenditure monitoring and manpower rate proposals.

Deliverables

• Annual sector engagement plans with clearly defined objectives and key results.
• Quarterly reviews of partnership pipelines and strategic adjustments.
• Technology to partner mapping frameworks.
• Timely, high-quality briefing materials for leadership engagements.
• $1–2 million contracted research/partnership revenue with a $5–10 million pipeline over three years.
• On-time delivery of critical meetings and events with partner satisfaction ratings above 4.5 out of 5.
• Zero critical failures or reputational risks in program delivery.

Candidate Profile

Experience:

• 7 to 10 years in business development, partnership management, research collaboration, or innovation program management.
• Successfully managing significant partnerships valued over $500,000.
• Previous experience working with aviation and connectivity sector stakeholders is strongly preferred.
• Experienced in contract management, including legal, commercial, governance, and risk compliance aspects.

Core Skills:

• Strong commercial insight with negotiation expertise.
• Excellent abilities in managing diverse stakeholder groups across technical and executive levels.
• Proficient in synthesizing complex information for senior leadership briefs and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate SUTD’s technical research strengths as compelling business opportunities.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills including proposals, speeches, and correspondence.
• Strong organizational aptitude to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience in budgeting and long-range financial planning.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and familiarity with research administration software like Workday.

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills.
• Relationship-builder who commands trust from senior stakeholders.
• Adept at navigating complex and ambiguous organizational environments.
• High professional maturity, political acumen, and discretion.
• Culturally agile and adaptable across industry, academic, and corporate settings.
• Self-motivated entrepreneurial mindset focused on long-term goals.
• Integrity in handling sensitive and classified information.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of AI and robotics technologies relevant to Singapore's ecosystem.
• Experience with commercialization, technology transfer, or innovation ecosystems.
• A strong network within Singapore’s aviation and connectivity communities.
• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in relevant technical or business disciplines.
• Knowledge of intellectual property and contract law.