Summary

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. A*STAR's research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.

A*STAR is recognised by many accountancy organisations: ISCA, ACCA, CPA Australia and ICAEW. It reaffirms our commitment to excellence in professional development, and to fostering the growth of our employees in the field of Finance and Accounting.

Job Description

As we embark on the new RIE2030 funding tranche and deploy our new digital ecosystem, A*STAR Finance is undergoing a strategic evolution. Under the leadership of CFO, we are shifting from a transactional support model to a value-driven advisory function. We are seeking a high-calibre Finance Director to drive this transformation. This is a critical leadership role designed for a "Change Agent" who can navigate the complexities of a VUCA research environment and elevate Finance to a proactive seat at the decision-making table.

Key Responsibilities

• Capital & Treasury Strategy: Manage liquidity planning, investment portfolios and lead the establishment of a long-term capital base (Endowment / Foundation) for receiving contributions and managing these funds to support future research enterprises and spin-offs
• Strategic Advisory: Act as the primary financial advisor on high-impact initiatives, including Venture Capital (VC) strategies, Merger & Acquisition (M&A) assessments, and spin-off valuations
• Performance & Governance: Ensure service excellence across Finance functions. You will define and manage performance frameworks (SLAs / KPIs) to ensure the Finance team remains professional, agile and responsive to business needs
• Finance Elevation: Drive the end-to-end strategic elevation of the Finance advisory function. You will assist CFO to lead an upskilling roadmap to equip the team with commercial agility required to provide upstream decision support to Senior Leadership across A*STAR

Job Requirements

• Degree in Finance or Accountancy with a professional accounting qualification
• Proven track record of leading organizational and functional transformation
• Strong communication skills with a proven ability to influence strategic outcomes and navigate diverse stakeholder interests
• Ability to thrive in high-stakes environments, driving strategic initiatives independently while collaborating across stakeholders
• Ability to bridge the gap between private-sector commercial rigor and public-sector regulatory frameworks
• Experience in VC and M&A is a plus
• Open to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs)