Job Purpose
The Business Connector works with industry partners, government agencies, and ecosystem stakeholders to co-create commercially viable smart urban and security solutions. They drive projects that enhance urban resilience, public safety, and operational efficiency, while supporting organisations in adopting advanced technologies.
The Business Connector for Smart Urban Solutions & Security plays a pivotal role in advancing applied research and innovation projects such as smart cities, urban mobility, built environment technologies, surveillance and security systems, robotics, IoT/IIoT, AI analytics, cybersecurity, and digital twins. Collaborating closely with faculty, industry partners, public agencies, and students, the role focuses on delivering impactful, scalable, and deployable solutions that address real-world urban and security challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Generation and Prospecting
• Identify and engage potential clients in sectors such as urban infrastructure, public safety, transportation, utilities, and built environment. Through various channels, including cold calls, networking and digital marketing.
• Develop and execute strategies to grow SIT’s footprint in smart urban and security innovation projects.
• Build strong relationships with industry players, government agencies, and solution providers.
• Identify high-value opportunities and translate industry needs into applied research and innovation projects.
• Identify technical professionals who will work with local enterprises to frame projects, identify capabilities needed from the industry ecosystem, IHLs and centres.
• Involve in industry engagements, help to bring in higher value-added and impactful projects for the centres in SIT, IHLs, Polytechnics and ITE.
• Monitor relevant external grant calls that are suitable for the centre.
Market Research and Analysis
• Identify emerging trends in smart city development, urban sustainability, security technologies, and digital infrastructure.
• Position SIT as a strategic partner in addressing national and regional priorities in urban solutions and security.
Project Management
• Work with industry partners to scope, frame, and co-develop project proposals aligned with operational needs and research strengths.
• Support Principal Investigators (PIs) in securing funding through grants, tenders, and proposals.
• Oversee project delivery, ensuring alignment with timelines, quality, and expected outcomes.
• Track project progress and provide regular updates to stakeholders.
Client and Partners Relationship Management
• Establish and maintain partnerships with government agencies (e.g. urban planning, security agencies), enterprises, IHLs, and ecosystem enablers.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of projects aligned with SIT’s Smart Urban Solutions & Security pillar.
• Facilitate strategic introductions and collaborations across stakeholders to create mutual value.
• Translate industry engagement into sustained partnerships and repeat projects.
Ecosystem Development
• Identify and connect relevant capabilities across SIT, industry partners, and research centres to form integrated solutions.
• Support development of multi-agency and cross-sector collaborations for complex urban and security challenges.
Professional Development and Expertise
• Stay updated on advancements in urban technologies, public safety systems, cybersecurity, robotics, AI, and regulatory frameworks.
• Continuously build domain expertise to effectively engage stakeholders and shape high-impact projects.
Job Requirements
• A degree in Computer Science, Computer or Software Engineering, Business or a related field. An MBA is preferred but relevant business development experience will suffice.
• At least 5 years of relevant industry experience, with a proven track record in marketing and business development.
• Strong knowledge of digital/AI technologies, resource management, and sustainable business practices.
• Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience in writing project proposals and grants will be an added advantage.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of industry practices to bring industry perspective to SIT.
• Keen interest in innovation projects, with demonstrated ability in proposing company solutions to technical problems.
• Strong interpersonal skills and enjoy working closely with colleagues and potential clients
Key Competencies
• Strong knowledge of urban challenges, sustainability, and security considerations in Singapore and the region.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for multi-stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams (engineering, IT, urban planning, security).
• Proactive and self-driven with strong ownership of deliverables.
• Strong proposal writing, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical thinking with ability to synthesize complex requirements into actionable plans.
• Project management capability to handle multiple concurrent initiatives.
Major Challenges
• Navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments involving government, industry, and academia.
• Addressing interdisciplinary problems requiring knowledge across urban systems, engineering, and security domains.
• Managing multiple projects and stakeholders with competing priorities and timelines.
• Translating evolving and ambiguous urban/security needs into feasible and fundable innovation projects.