Inaugural Director, Resilient Workforces Institute, Singapore Management University  

Ref: 8047

DESCRIPTION

A premier university in Asia, the Singapore Management University (SMU) is internationally recognized for its world class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU’s education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative and project-based approach to learning.

SMU invites applications for the position of Inaugural Director of the recently-established Resilient Workforces Institute. This is a senior academic leadership role, offering a unique opportunity to shape a world-class interdisciplinary institute at the forefront of research and policy on the future of work, as well as adult learning and reskilling. The Institute will leverage SMU’s existing strengths and interdisciplinary expertise, as well as recruit new faculty members, to address the critical societal challenges arising from disruptions in workforces, driven by rapid technological progress and evolving workforce dynamics. The Institute will focus on better harnessing technological advances (including in AI) for effective adult learning and human-machine collaborative work, exploring how technological innovations and evolving workforce dynamics are reshaping organizations and business workflows/processes, and developing solutions and public policies for effective upskilling and reskilling that overcome skills gaps and allow mature workers to successfully adapt to changing labour market dynamics.

The Institute's research agenda will be structured around three core pillars: Optimizing Human-Machine Collaborating / Transformation Organizations / Maximizing Societal Human Capital, which collectively will draw on capabilities across a range of disciplines including Education and Learning Science, Human-Robot Interaction, Organization Behavior and Strategy, Social and Cognitive Psychology, Labour Economics and Public Policy, among others. The Inaugural Director will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the Institute. They will build and lead a multidisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners. As a globally renowned scholar, the new inaugural director will advance research excellence and strengthen its impact by fostering partnerships with government, industry, and research institutions in Singapore and internationally.

HOW TO APPLY

SMU will be supported in this appointment process by the executive search firm Perrett Laver. The search firm will support the SMU Search Committee in the discharge of its duties both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role and to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates. Application documentation should include (in electronic form): a cover letter describing relevant management and leadership experiences, teaching and research interests (and how they relate to one or more of the envisioned research pillars of the Institute), and a full curriculum vitae.

The deadline for applications is 28 October 2025.