In CTESTM, we Combine Talents from different industries to Enhance your career Search. Our Collaborative Teams are Excellent reSearchers who are Committed Towards Exceptional Services.

CTESTM, the ultimate Consulting firm to place your Trust, Expectations and Support.

Director, Operations

Job No: 3310      |       Advertised on: 2026-04-10      |       CIC: Jaclyn Tan      |       Reg. No: R1104237
Job Location(s): West (eg: Queenstown, Jurong, Clementi, Tuas)

  JOB DESCRIPTION

Our client is actively searching for a Director, Operations to join their team!
If you are a dynamic individual seeking a new career opportunity, read further!

The College is seeking an experienced Director, Operations to lead and transform its administrative and operational functions. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for driving operational excellence, delivering strategic initiatives, and enabling the Dean and College leadership to achieve their long-term priorities.

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team of senior administrators, including both direct reports and matrix teams across Schools and Centres.
• Translate strategy into action by implementing cross-College initiatives, streamlining operations, and improving administrative and financial processes.
• Drive organisational change and operational innovation, creating more efficient, standardised, and scalable systems to support academic and research excellence.
• Collaborate across boundaries, building strong partnerships with Schools, Centres, and University leadership to enable interdisciplinary teaching, research, and shared operational goals.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Dean and senior leadership on governance, risk, compliance, and institutional effectiveness, influencing decision-making and ensuring follow-through.
• Deliver measurable outcomes, ensuring that operational, financial, and strategic objectives are achieved efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.

The key responsibilities of this role are:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead operational planning and execution of College-wide strategic initiatives.
• Shape long-term strategies and anticipate emerging needs in alignment with University priorities.
• Advise on policy, governance, and institutional effectiveness.

Organisational Effectiveness & Change

• Develop and refine administrative structures, business processes, and service delivery models.
• Drive cross-functional improvements and harmonise practices across Schools and Centres.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with University policies and external regulations.
• Mitigate risks, maintain internal controls, and advise leadership on governance matters.

Operations & Financial Stewardship

• Oversee budgets, grants, procurement, and operational resources.
• Identify opportunities for operational enhancement and implement improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships across academic, professional, and administrative units.
• Represent the College on University-wide committees, taskforces, and review boards.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Promote staff development, knowledge exchange, and innovation across administrative teams.

The ideal candidate will need to have the following qualities and experience:

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree; postgraduate qualification in Management, Public Administration, or related field preferred.
• 10–15+ years of progressive experience in higher education administration or large, complex organisations, with strategic and operational leadership.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and driving organisational change.
• Strong knowledge of governance, compliance, and financial management.
• Track record of building partnerships and influencing in a matrix environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic and operational leadership, translating vision into measurable outcomes.
• Strong people leadership, motivating and developing direct and matrix teams.
• Stakeholder management and collaboration across complex environments.
• Operational and financial acumen to manage resources effectively.
• Project and program management skills, ensuring initiatives are delivered with impact.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Agility, resilience, and ability to perform in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Digital literacy for effective coordination and reporting.

Personal Attributes

• Collaborative and diplomatic, building trust and strong relationships.
• Proactive and results-oriented, driving initiatives to completion.
• High integrity and discretion, handling sensitive information professionally.
• Adaptable and resilient, thriving under ambiguity and pressure.
• Innovative and solution-focused, continuously seeking improvements.

An exciting career awaits the right candidate! Click "Quick Apply" to register your interest now.

All applicants' CV will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

  SALARY

Negotiable

QUICK APPLY BACK

We will try our best to reply all candidates within 7 working days.

~  Your hunt for the best begins with us  ~