Summary
As the Assistant Director (Digital Services) in the Corporate Services & Governance (CSG) division, you will lead the development and continuous improvement of Dsg’s digital services and technology governance to ensure that digital initiatives support organisational priorities. You will drive secure and scalable digital transformation, overseeing digital strategy, cybersecurity, business applications, and the reliability of core technology services. The role also includes managing IT budgets, procurement, and vendor performance, as well as providing direction for end-user computing and productivity platforms. Working closely with EDB’s IT Division and government partners, you will ensure alignment with broader technology frameworks and governance standards. You will also supervise the IT Security Manager and outsourced IT contractors, ensuring strong operational performance and service excellence.
About DesignSingapore Council
DesignSingapore Council (Dsg)’s vision is for Singapore to be a liveable, loveable, and limitless city by design. As the national agency for design, our mission is to develop the design sector to be globally competitive, champion the use of design for innovation and growth in Singapore, and make life better in this UNESCO Creative City of Design. The Dsg is a subsidiary of the Singapore Economic Development Board.
About the Corporate Services & Governance Division (CSG Div)
The CSG is the corporate engine behind Dsg, providing vital services and support in the areas of Digital Services; Governance, Finance and Procurement; and Workplace Management and Shared Services; to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the Council. Our goal is for Dsg to be an attractive place to work in, where staff are engaged and aligned with organisation values and have a purposeful and happy workplace experience.
About the Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is responsible for strategies that enhance Singapore’s position as a global centre for business, innovation and talent. We undertake investment promotion and industry development in the manufacturing and internationally tradeable services sectors.Besides facilitating investments, we engage Singapore’s existing base of companies to transform their operations and boost productivity, and to generate growth in adjacent and disruptive areas by growing new businesses out of Singapore.
About the EDB IT Division
The IT Division (ITD) provides IT infrastructure; business application development and support services to the whole of EDB. It strives to transform business through strategic digitalization programmes as well as bring efficiency and cost-effectiveness to corporate services. ITD works closely with various stakeholders such as Government Technology Agency (GovTech) and industry solution providers.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services & Governance and Human Resources at Dsg and the Vice President of IT at EDB, your responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Digital Strategy and Business Alignment
- Lead the development of Dsg’s Digital Services roadmap, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and operational needs.
- Partner with business divisions to understand requirements and recommend suitable digital solutions that enhance efficiency, security, and user experience.
- Serve as Project Lead for CSG-led digital initiatives, overseeing planning, budgeting, vendor management, and implementation.
- Serve as Project Advisor for division-led projects, providing technical guidance, requirements validation, evaluation support and implementation guidance.
- Monitor emerging technologies and service management practices, and identify opportunities to introduce AI-enabled and data-driven innovations that support organisational needs.
Digital Operations & End-User Services
- Ensure responsive end-user support and endpoint device lifecycle management, including the provisioning, deployment, maintenance, and replacement of staff laptops and other workplace devices.
- Ensure the secure and reliable operation of Dsg’s digital services environment, including SaaS applications, network connectivity, internet access, web hosting, and application platforms.
- Coordinate operational change management with business divisions to minimise disruption to services.
- Assess digital solutions for suitability, security, and integration with existing systems.
- Drive continuous improvement across network, endpoint, and application services.
- Work with contractors to secure corporate websites, support content management platforms, implement patches, and address vulnerabilities.
Technology Planning, Budget and Performance
- Develop short- to mid-term digital and technology strategies for network infrastructure, web hosting, application architecture, and cloud adoption, while ensuring the reliability and availability of core digital services (eg, wired and wireless connectivity).
- Lead or support digital awareness and cybersecurity training initiatives to strengthen organisational digital literacy and security practices.
- Lead the annual Digital Services budget planning process and monitor expenditure against approved allocations.
- Analyse Digital Services KPIs and performance metrics, and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
- Prepare management reports that demonstrate service performance, operational reliability, and value delivery.
Vendor and Stakeholder Management
- Lead sourcing strategies for Digital Services and manage strategic relationships with technology vendors and service providers.
- Oversee project and operations vendors to ensure service quality, operational reliability, and adherence to contractual service level agreements (SLAs).
- Partner with EDB’s IT Division, managed service providers, and government stakeholders such as GovTech and the Government Cyber Security Operations Centre (GCSOC) to ensure alignment with national technology and cybersecurity frameworks.
Procurement and Contract Management
- Lead the end-to-end lifecycle management of Digital Services contracts, including specification development, procurement, award, implementation, and contract administration.
- Provide advisory support to business divisions on Digital Services procurement to ensure compliance with organisational procurement policies and IT governance requirements.
- Oversee contract administration activities, including renewals, purchases, options, invoicing, and payments, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of Dsg’s Digital Services governance framework, including policies, standards, and operating procedures.
- Oversee digital audits and coordinate organisational responses, ensuring timely remediation of findings and strengthening of controls.
- Lead cybersecurity and data security incident management, including investigation, impact assessment, stakeholder communication, and post-incident remediation.
- Oversee security operations activities to ensure compliance with Dsg’s risk posture, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity best practices.
- Ensure organisational compliance with the Dsg IT Policy Document and relevant frameworks and standards, including NIST, CIS, OWASP, CVSS, GovTech IM, and PDPA.
Team Leadership and Service Oversight
- Lead and supervise the IT Security Manager and outsourced IT contractors, ensuring strong performance and service delivery.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability to the team, fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
- Serve as the escalation point for major operational, cybersecurity, and end-user support issues.
Requirements
To meet the challenges of this role, you should possess:
- A degree in computer science, information systems, information technology or any related field.
- At least 8 years of relevant experience in digital services, IT infrastructure, and application service management, including experience in project delivery, operations, and service administration.
- Strong working knowledge of the following technology domains:
- Generative and Agentic AI, Web and Network technologies, with practical understanding of how emerging AI tools, modern web platforms, integration patterns, and core networking concepts support secure and efficient digital services.
- Cloud hosting models, including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) via Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Service or Google Cloud Platform.
- Web application architectures, such as layered (n-tier), monolithic, microservices, serverless, and cloud-native deployments.
- Content Management systems, particularly WordPress. Knowledge of modern headless architectures using application frameworks like Next.js and React.js, and platform like directus.io is advantageous.
- Integration and governance of Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, SaaS, Productivity Tools and Information System services, with an understanding of associated control measures.
- Cybersecurity and data protection best practices, especially in relation to securing digital workplace, cloud environments, SaaS and web applications.
- At least 3 years of leadership responsibilities, with demonstrated ability to lead projects and project teams.
- Strong project and programme management skills, including budget planning and management, resource allocation, and vendor and contract management.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear business value for senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement operational processes, monitor performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement.
- Strong service management capabilities, with a focus on delivering reliable, user-centric digital services.
- A proactive self-starter with strong problem-solving abilities, able to prioritise effectively and perform well under pressure.
- A collaborative team player who is comfortable working across functions and supporting new programmes and initiatives.
Candidates with the following experience or qualifications would have an added advantage:
- Proven experience leading Digital Services or IT operations teams in complex organisational environments.
- Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISA/CISM and Microsoft Certified Associate/Expert.
- Active involvement in professional or industry networks such as SCS, AISG, ISACA, AiSP, ITMA, or PMI.
- Experience in public sector, quasi-government agencies, or regulated environments, and familiarity with public sector procurement processes.
