Deputy Manager, Business Development, SUTD Academy (Contract)

About The Role

SUTD Academy is looking for a commercially driven and relationship-oriented individual to lead industry partnerships and business development initiatives in Continuing Education and Training (CET) and executive education.

The role focuses on identifying and developing strategic opportunities, building long-term partnerships, and translating industry needs into practical learning and capability development solutions.

Working closely with faculty, internal stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies, you will lead the development of strategic partnerships and capability-building initiatives that support workforce transformation, innovation, and organisational growth.

What You Will Do

• Lead business development efforts to identify and secure new partnership opportunities.
• Develop and manage relationships with industry, government, and ecosystem partners.
• Lead stakeholder engagements, including meetings, discussions, negotiations, and follow-ups.
• Develop partnership strategies, commercial proposals, presentations, and business cases.
• Identify industry challenges and translate them into executive education programmes, customised learning solutions, and other engagement opportunities.
• Conduct market and industry research to identify emerging trends, capability gaps, and new growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with faculty and internal stakeholders to conceptualise and develop programmes aligned with industry needs.
• Manage the business development pipeline and drive partnership opportunities from prospecting through implementation.
• Represent SUTD Academy at industry engagements, networking events, conferences, and strategic partnership discussions.
• Lead and contribute to strategic initiatives related to AI, digital transformation, innovation, and workforce development.

Who We Are Looking For

• Degree in business, communications, engineering, design, public policy, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in CET, business development, partnerships, account management, consulting, executive education, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships and manage senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify opportunities and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills.
• Strong proposal writing, presentation, and business development skills.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working independently and navigating ambiguity.
• Knowledge of Singapore's Continuing Education and Training (CET) or SkillsFuture ecosystem will be an advantage.
• Passion for workforce transformation, innovation, AI, and emerging technologies.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Curious, resourceful, and proactive with a growth mindset.
• Able to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and engage stakeholders at different organisational levels.