Assistant Director (External Relations)

External Relations

Job Description

• Work closely with Director to develop and drive strategic partnerships and outreach initiatives and engagement strategies with corporates, industry stakeholders, government agencies, higher institutes of learning and other relevant partners locally, regionally, and internationally.
• Identify foster and strengthen relationships with external partners to enhance the depth and diversity of collaborative collaboration partnerships for SUSS with the goal of institutionalising these relationships via mechanisms such as MOUs and agreements.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the clients’ positions in the market, their products/services, points of difference and competitive landscape as well as their needs and intentions.
• Meet with clients and partners to discuss end-to-end solutioning which include but not limited to management education, training programmes, research, consultancies.
• Lead the team to work with account management colleagues to communicate to schools and centres about clients and partners’ expectations and specification to meet the stated goals and objectives.
• Develop a trusted advisor relationship with key accounts, customer stakeholders and executive sponsors and partners.
• Work closely with schools and centres to analyse ground insights and identify new growth areas and attractive value propositions that lead to new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with stakeholders.
• Adopt a data-driven approach to review and improve systems and processes to achieve SPE’s efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversee the retention, expansion and overall satisfaction of the clients and partners.
• Keep abreast with industry and market trends and their best practices. 
• Support Director in motivating and developing staff to achieve optimal and maximum performance through provision of timely feedback and guidance.

Job Requirements

• At least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Experience in leading teams in managing successful large projects, client account management and partnership management.
• Demonstrates strong stakeholder management skills and confidence in engaging with senior management and office holders at all levels.
• A proven track record in successfully developing, implementing, and executing partnership initiatives, with an understanding of the underlying economics of achieving win-win resolutions or agreements.
• Experience in delivering client-focused solutions based on customer needs and expectations.
• Ability to present complex concepts in a clear and relevant manner to the target audience.
• Effective communication (verbal & written), presentation and negotiation skills.
• Strong planning, analytical skills
• Strategic and critical thinking
• Strong collaborative and partnership building skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at a time while paying attention to details.