Director / Deputy Director, Design Management - Data Programme

About GovTech and the Role

GovTech spearheads Singapore's Smart Nation initiatives and drives digital transformation across the public sector. As the nation's Centre of Excellence in ICT and Smart Systems, GovTech focuses on advancing capabilities in Data Science & AI, application development, smart city technologies, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

Joining GovTech means contributing purposefully to society by building technology that benefits the public. The organisation fosters continuous growth and capability development through comprehensive learning opportunities.

Program Context

The Data Programme at GovTech tackles a significant challenge: improving how analysts, engineers, and policymakers across government discover, access, and interpret data critical for decision-making. This is fundamental to Singapore's Smart Nation vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research and discovery efforts across the government data ecosystem to identify obstacles faced by agencies in accessing, understanding, and utilizing data.
• Create cohesive interaction designs spanning user interfaces, APIs, command line interfaces, and AI-powered interfaces.
• Establish design principles and patterns that ensure data is presented, trusted, and operated on responsibly in highly sensitive and impactful settings.
• Influence programme perspectives on design by collaborating with product, engineering, and policy teams to define and uphold standards of excellence.
• Promote adoption and user engagement of developed solutions, treating challenges around usage and impact as integral to design.

Desired Profile

• Systems thinker with expertise in diverse interaction paradigms beyond conventional screen designs.
• Motivated by complex challenges without existing templates or frameworks.
• Confident in advocating strong design positions and skilled in persuading senior stakeholders.
• Passionate about ensuring solutions are not only created but effectively used and impactful.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 12 years’ industry experience, including influential roles at the principal or equivalent level, ideally shaping platforms or ecosystem-scale products in settings involving multiple stakeholders.
• Extensive background in data-centric products such as search engines, APIs, analytic dashboards, or developer tools.
• Technical proficiency with APIs and data models, enabling collaborative work with engineering teams rather than solely handing off designs.
• A portfolio showcasing high-level conceptual design and innovation, including experience in AI-native interfaces or regulated/public sector projects as a valuable plus.

Additional Information and Benefits

This position offers the unique opportunity to address unprecedented challenges with significant autonomy and seniority. The infrastructure your work influences underpins critical governmental operations and decision-making.

GovTech prizes inclusivity and diversity as foundations for innovation and provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits scheme based on a total rewards framework.

Flexible working arrangements are supported depending on job role, and employees are trusted to manage their time to maximize output.