Director, College Strategy & Operations

The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CoHASS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) invites applications for the position of Director, College Strategy & Operations. This is one of the most senior professional leadership role within the College and offers a unique opportunity to shape the strategic and organisational effectiveness of one of NTU's largest and most diverse academic colleges. Reporting directly to the Dean and serving as a key member of the College Leadership Team, the Director, College Strategy & Operations, will lead the transformation and delivery of a broad portfolio encompassing academic administration, postgraduate education, research administration, communications, external relations, governance, finance, and operational services. We are seeking a strategic, forward-thinking leader with a strong track record of driving organisational excellence, leading large and diverse teams, and partnering with senior stakeholders to deliver institutional impact. The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing the College's strategic priorities, fostering innovation, strengthening operational capabilities, and enabling excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. Role Impact and Opportunity: As Director, College Strategy & Operations, you will: • Serve as a trusted strategic advisor and thought partner to the Dean and College Leadership Team, translating vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes. • Lead and inspire a high-performing team of senior administrators and matrix teams across Schools, Centres, and College functions, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. • Drive organisational transformation by redesigning processes, implementing scalable operating models, and strengthening service delivery across the College. • Champion operational excellence, ensuring efficient, effective, and sustainable management of resources, systems, and services. • Build strong partnerships across the University to advance interdisciplinary initiatives, institutional priorities, and shared operational goals. • Lead complex strategic projects and change initiatives that enhance organisational effectiveness and position the College for future growth and success. • Strengthen governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks while ensuring sound stewardship of financial and operational resources. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership and Institutional Planning • Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of College-wide strategic initiatives and transformation programmes. • Partner with the Dean and senior leadership to develop and implement long-term strategies aligned with University priorities. • Provide strategic advice on organisational design, policy development, governance, resource planning, and institutional effectiveness. • Anticipate emerging challenges and opportunities, recommending innovative solutions to support the College's evolving needs. Organisational Effectiveness and Service Excellence • Oversee the delivery of a comprehensive portfolio of operational and academic services, including academic administration, postgraduate education, research administration, communications, external relations, and related operational functions. • Review, redesign, and optimise business processes, service delivery models, and organisational structures to improve effectiveness and efficiency. • Lead cross-functional initiatives to harmonise practices, improve stakeholder experience, and enhance operational performance across Schools and Centres. • Promote data-informed decision-making and leverage technology to drive innovation and continuous improvement. Governance, Risk and Compliance • Ensure compliance with University policies, regulatory requirements, and governance standards. • Strengthen risk management frameworks, internal controls, and operational resilience across the College. • Provide expert guidance to College leadership on governance, policy implementation, and risk-related matters. Financial and Operational Leadership • Oversee the College's financial planning, budgeting, resource allocation, procurement, and operational management. • Ensure prudent stewardship of financial and physical resources while aligning investments with strategic priorities. • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, optimise resource utilisation, and deliver sustainable outcomes. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building • Develop and maintain strong relationships with academic leaders, professional staff, University offices, external partners, and other stakeholders. • Facilitate collaboration across organisational boundaries to support strategic initiatives and operational excellence. • Represent the College on University committees, taskforces, governance bodies, and institutional projects. Leadership and Talent Development • Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of professional staff leaders, fostering engagement, capability building, and succession planning. • Build a high-performance culture that encourages innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning. • Champion change management and organisational development initiatives that enhance team effectiveness and employee experience. Qualifications and Experiences: • Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. A postgraduate qualification in Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Leadership, or a related discipline will be advantageous. • At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, public sector organisations, or other large and complex institutions. • Demonstrated success leading broad corporate services, operations, administration, or shared services functions at a senior level. • Proven track record in organisational transformation, strategic planning, operational excellence, and change man…