Assistant Director
Public Service Division
Assistant Director
Public Service Division
Public Service Division (PSD) · Singapore, Singapore (Hybrid) · Contract · Posted 2026-10-16
Workplace: hybrid
Department: Public Service Transformation (PST)
The Challenge
The Public Service operates in an increasingly complex environment shaped by changing citizen expectations, workforce shifts, technological disruption and greater interdependence across agencies. Public Sector Transformation (PST) seeks to ensure that the Singapore Public Service remains future-ready, effective and trusted by continually reimagining how the Public Service works, develops its workforce and organises itself.
The PST Cluster leads and coordinates Whole-of-Government transformation. Its role spans setting the vision and strategic direction for PST, catalysing deep organisational and business transformation, building the capabilities and ecosystem needed to sustain change, applying AI to the key challenges of today and mobilising leaders and officers around a shared transformation agenda.
As Assistant Director (Strategy), you will provide strategic and organisational leadership across key PST strategic portfolios, covering sensemaking, conceptualising, catalyst and mobilising workstreams. You will translate emerging priorities and senior leadership direction into coherent strategies, governance arrangements, programmes and resourcing approaches that enable transformation across the Public Service.
This is both a strategy and delivery role. You will work at the intersection of policy, organisational transformation, innovation, technology, workforce capability and public-sector governance, while leading teams to turn broad and often ambiguous ambitions into practical, coordinated action.
Key Responsibilities
As a Team Lead to a team of 3-5 officers, you will:
A. Set and steward the strategic direction for Public Sector Transformation
B. Lead cross-cutting and AI-enabled transformation
C. Shape resourcing, governance and implementation arrangements
D. Mobilise and align Whole-of-Government partners
E. Lead teams and manage an evolving portfolio
We are looking for someone who is curious about the future of government, passionate about AI and innovation, and excited to work with diverse stakeholders to shape meaningful transformation across the Public Service.
You enjoy solving complex problems, thrive in collaborative environments and are motivated by turning ideas into practical impact. Whether developing AI-enabled initiatives, building partnerships or supporting innovation programmes, you are driven by a desire to improve outcomes for citizens and public officers alike.
Key Competencies
1. Thinking Clearly and Making Sound Judgement
o You consider stakeholder needs as well as short- and long-term implications in proposing solutions.
o You make sound judgements about different policy options by synthesising various data points and using a good sense of realities on the ground.
o You anticipate and prepare for queries from stakeholders when operationalising solutions.
2. Serving with Heart, Commitment and Purpose
o You guide your team to demonstrate care and empathy in delivering services to citizens and stakeholders.
o You are a role model of, and ensure that your team upholds, the Public Service values in the course of their work.
o You are a role model of resilience and bouncing back from adversity.
o You orchestrate resources and monitor your team’s progress towards deliverables.
o You ensure that your team delivers with high standards and you take responsibility for their collective performance.
3. Working Effectively with External Stakeholders
o You reconcile different opinions and approaches to maintain a constructive partnership with stakeholders.
o You proactively identify opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders to advance a common good.
o You anticipate and manage critical stakeholder issues with patience, humility and timeliness.
4. Stewarding Systems for Today and Tomorrow
o You willingly remove outdated practices and actively explore digital technology and tools to simplify work processes.
o You implement good knowledge management practices to retain and transfer knowledge within your team.
o You enforce measures to safeguard data.
Functional Competencies
5. AI and Digital Transformation
o You understand AI, Generative AI and other digital technologies, and appreciate their potential applications within the public sector.
o You leverage AI and digital technologies, including Generative AI, to improve productivity, redesign workflows and enhance service delivery.
o You translate business needs into practical AI-enabled solutions by balancing user needs, technical feasibility and organisational priorities.
o You demonstrate an understanding of AI governance, data management and responsible AI practices, and apply these principles when designing and implementing AI-enabled initiatives.
o You keep abreast of emerging technologies and continuously identify opportunities to strengthen AI adoption across the Public Service.
Relevant Experience and Track Record
Relevant experience in several of the following areas would be advantageous:
Capability development
A strong track record of leading complex and ambiguous work, influencing senior stakeholders, developing teams and translating strategy into implementation would be essential. Candidates with at least 3 years of supervisory experience managing small teams in a collaborative environment will be viewed favourably.
Apply at Public Service Division (PSD)
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