Role Purpose

As A*STAR embarks on the RIE2030 funding tranche and deploys its new digital ecosystem, the Finance function is evolving towards a more strategic and data-enabled advisory role.

Working closely with the CFO Office leadership and Finance teams, the Senior Assistant Director supports priority transformation initiatives, executive engagements and Finance-wide coordination. The role requires strong analytical ability, sound judgement and the ability to work effectively across a complex public-sector research environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Initiatives and Projects

• Support CFO-sponsored initiatives, including Finance transformation, operating-model reviews, process improvements and special projects.
• Conduct financial analysis, develop business cases and assess trade-offs for new capabilities, resource proposals and major initiatives.
• Support finance automation and modernisation efforts, including AI-enabled workflows, data analytics and management reporting tools.

2. Executive Secretariat and Governance

• Prepare and coordinate presentation materials, papers and follow-up actions for senior-management, Board, EXCO and ministry/shareholder engagements.
• Coordinate inputs across Finance functions and stakeholders to support timely decision-making and implementation.
• Track progress against Finance strategic priorities, KPIs and OKRs, and highlight key risks, dependencies and decisions for management attention.

3. Financial Strategy and Finance-wide Coordination

• Support CFO in developing long-term financial strategies, enterprise resource-allocation principles and cross-functional initiatives.
• Review operational pain points, governance requirements and change-management needs across Finance, and support initiatives that improve efficiency and service delivery.

Qualifications and Requirements

• At least 7 to 10 years of relevant experience in FP&A, corporate finance, corporate strategy, management consulting, transformation or a finance chief-of-staff role.
• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a related discipline. Professional accounting qualifications are advantageous.
• Strong analytical, written and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information for senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams, coordinate stakeholders and deliver independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in the public sector, research, technology or a large matrixed organisation would be advantageous