As the Deputy Director, South Asia, Middle East, Africa (SAMEA) within the International Business Division, you play a critical role in helping Singapore businesses internationalize and expand their market presence in the South Asia, Middle East, Africa.

You will be given on-the-job training for about 3 – 6 months to get familiarized with the full scope of work that SAMEA team does. As and when ready, you will advance to manage a team of experienced Country Head and Market Advisors for the region. You will work with team members within SBF, other stakeholders in Singapore and overseas markets to develop programs, organize signature conferences, bilateral business roundtables and plan overseas mission trips, to provide Singapore companies with information on overseas markets and platforms to network with foreign business counterparts, government officials and other stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Market Development & Program Implementation

Oversee the development and implementation of initiatives for the SAMEA team to engage Singapore companies for overseas expansion in the regions assigned

• Guide and lead the team members to formulating market engagement strategies, researching and analysis market and industry information from the interest of Singapore companies, industry progression and business community in general
• Set the direction for the team to develop the work plan for programs and initiatives, and manage the team’s resources to ensure budgetary and regulatory compliance with existing funded programs as well as SBF’s programs and initiatives
• Work with internal teams to develop new programs and initiatives to broaden SBF’s outreach, provide wider market access and improve revenue and profitability of these programs
• Engage companies and analyse their internationalization plans to work out the assistance required from SBF
• Provide advisory and market knowledge to value add into companies’ internationalization plans
• For impact in expanding to the regions assigned, identify and appoint new multipliers, partners, and platforms for which Singapore businesses can benefit from
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the implementation of programs are in alignment with SBF’s corporate objectives and meet the KPIs of both SBF and other funded programs 

2. Secretariat

• Assist the Executive Director with the management and administrative support for the running of these business working groups
• Institutionalize relationships with the relevant business chambers and associations, government agencies and business communities

3. Organizational Development

Support the Executive Director to

• Supervise project teams to ensure positive financial outcomes for all programs and activities including negotiating for favorable commercial profitability and terms for SBF/IBD and effective cost management
• Identify growth opportunities to enhance the financial impact of programs to IBD
• Manage and mentor team members to achieve elevated service delivery standards
• Work with Executive Director to discuss and plan capability development and project opportunities to develop career progression of team members
• Align oneself with SBF25 new culture and organizational goals and lead the team with confidence to achieve desired behaviours and KPIs
• Any other tasks/projects as assigned

Job Requirements:

• Possess Bachelor Degree in any discipline
• At least 8 years of working experience with 3 years of international business development work in South Asia, Middle East and Africa region.
• Experienced working both in public and private sectors a plus
• Strong business development, management and negotiation skills
•  Good understanding of the needs of SMEs in their internationalization journey
• Experienced in program development and management a plus
• Excellent leadership skills, a people-person with an active hands-on approach
• Strong willingness to work with management in instilling SBF25 corporate culture
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken; including ability and experienced in positively engaging internal and external stakeholders
• Self-motivated and positive attitude, excellent work ethic and a team player