Manager/Senior Manager, Brand Stewardship Manager (2-year contract), OCCM

COMPANY DESCRIPTION Singapore Management University is a place where high-level professionalism blends together with a healthy informality. The 'family-like' atmosphere among the SMU community fosters a culture where employees work, plan, organise and play together - building a strong collegiality and morale within the university. Our commitment to attract and retain talent is ongoing. We offer attractive benefits and welfare, competitive compensation packages, and generous professional development opportunities - all to meet the work-life needs of our staff. No wonder, then, that SMU continues to be given numerous awards and recognition for its human resource excellence. RESPONSIBILITIES • This position is for Office of Corporate Communications and Marketing (OCCM). • Brand Stewardship & Governance • Manage and continuously strengthen SMU's brand governance framework, ensuring consistent application of the SMU brand across internal and external communications. • Manage and maintain the SMU Brand Guide and Brand Portal as key sources of brand standards, resources and guidance. • Review brand-related requests and provide clear, practical guidance to schools, offices and other University stakeholders on brand application, visual identity and communications. • Monitor brand compliance across SMU and work with stakeholders to address and resolve issues where required. • Develop and deliver regular brand engagement and education initiatives to build awareness and adoption of the SMU brand across the University. • Support the development and management of SMU's brand properties, e.g. SMOO SMOO, merchandise and events. • Brand Strategy, Research & Insights • Manage SMU's annual Brand Tracker Study and Dashboard, including research agency management, study design, fieldwork, analysis and reporting. • Leverage brand insights to support schools, offices and other SMU units in developing and refining their narratives, ensuring alignment with SMU's overarching brand positioning, proposition and strategic direction. • Provide strategic brand counsel to internal stakeholders on narrative development, messaging and brand expression. • Brand Campaigns & Marketing • Support the development and execution of regional brand campaigns, including translating strategic objectives into effective brand and media plans. • Work with media and creative agencies to plan, execute, monitor and optimise campaigns against agreed KPIs. • Track campaign performance and provide regular analysis and recommendations to improve effectiveness and return on investment. • Manage partnerships and negotiations with media/creative agencies and media owners. • Develop and oversee the creation of assets for brand campaigns. • Manage project budgets, ensuring effective planning, utilisation and financial accountability. • Support procurement, tender exercises and contract negotiations for assigned projects • Project and Budget Management • City Perspective - Work with internal stakeholders and agency on curating content and reviewing creative assets, to ensure the continuity of CP as SMU's thought leadership platform. • Brand Workshops - Organise Brand Workshop twice a year to connect with the SMU Community and raise awareness on where they can find resources pertaining to marketing and brand. • Process Optimization - Review and automate manual and time-consuming work process (BP, Brand Compliance). • Vendor and Budget management - Responsible for planning and utilization of budgets on assigned projects; manage vendor deliverables and lead the annual negotiation with media owners on master contracts. • Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Brand Marketing or Social Science Degree with at least 6 to 8 years' work experience. • Familiarity with media and social media channels, writing, interpersonal communications, brand strategy and brand communications. • Competencies, Skills and Knowledge • Strong understanding of brand strategy, positioning, identity and brand governance. • Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, faculty and colleagues, and secure buy-in for brand recommendations and creative concepts. • Strong strategic and creative judgement, with the ability to translate brand strategy into compelling messaging, design and experiences. • Ability to conduct competitive and market mapping to assess brand positioning, messaging and emerging opportunities. • Strong analytical skills to interpret research findings and campaign metrics; with the ability to connect data to campaign outcomes. • Experience across brand development, naming, visual identity, copywriting, merchandising, digital channels and internal brand engagement. • Strong project, agency and vendor management skills, including briefing, evaluating creative work and managing multiple projects concurrently. • Ability to manage budgets effectively and ensure value for money. • Good understanding of social media, digital platforms and emerging tools that can strengthen brand engagement and consistency. • Experience in event activation and brand properties would be advantageous. • Soft Skills • Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills. • Strong time-management and organisational skills. • Diplomatic but confident, with the ability to challenge constructively when needed. • Proactive, resourceful and solutions-oriented; able to think on their feet. • Collaborative and comfortable working across different teams and functions. • Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality. • Adaptable and resilient in managing competing priorities and stakeholder feedback. • Creative, curious and attuned to cultural, design and digital trends. • Sound judgement, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. OTHER INFORMATION #LI-XL1 Candidates who do not possess the stipulated qualifications but have relevant work experience may still apply…