Deputy Director

Job description

Ministry of Digital Development and Information

Permanent/Contract

Closing on 30 Nov 2025

What the role is

The Smart Nation Group – Digital Government (SNDG), under the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and administratively managed by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), plans and prioritizes key Smart Nation and digital government projects, raises the standards of Government ICT and services, builds long-term capabilities for the public sector, and promotes adoption and participation in digital and smart innovations.

It takes a whole-of-nation effort, and we will actively engage the public, the industry and fellow agencies as we build a Smart Nation together.
The Government Data Division (GDD) within SNDG plays a central policymaking role in advancing data governance excellence across the public sector.

Its responsibilities include: (a) formulating and implementing whole-of-government (WOG) data policies that guide the strategic management, sharing, and utilisation of data as a national asset; (b) identifying and driving new initiatives to improve the exchange of data within Government agencies, and sharing of Government data with commercial partners and the public; and (c) strengthening data governance by developing policies relating to responsible use of data, as well as driving the development of capabilities, institutionalizing structures and standardising tools for WOG.

What you will be working on

We are looking for someone with a strong policy orientation to help design strategies, develop and implement new initiatives to build up the public sector data governance ecosystem.

Ideally, the candidate also brings practical experience in data management or governance to align policy intent with implementation.
You will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping and driving WOG data governance strategies, policies and initiatives.

You will guide and oversee a policy team responsible for policy development, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of strategic projects that strengthen Government's data governance
• Strategic leadership and policy oversight
o Provide strategic direction in the formulation, review and implementation of central policies and guidelines in the data governance space
o Exercise leadership and influence across Government to secure support, and commitment, from senior leadership, data governance teams and relevant stakeholders for long term transformation
• Workforce planning
o Lead workforce planning and strategy to professionalise public sector data governance workforce
• Capability development
o Strengthen local talent pipeline and upskilling opportunities for the data governance workforce, through designing training roadmap and comprehensive learning interventions
o Shape career pathways through the development of a refreshed competency framework and designing structured progression routes, so as to enable fulfilling and attractive careers
o Develop strategic workforce attraction and retention strategies.

Institutionalize cross-agency learning and capability uplift, through establishing Community of Practice (CoP) and other collaboration
• Ecosystem building
o Refresh WOG data governance structures and accountability frameworks, to ensure role clarity, and governance levers across the ecosystem.

Design and strengthen system-level incentives and enablers to catalyse good data governance outcomes
o Establish and lead the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Data Governance, to drive thought leadership, set standards, and provide expert advisory and resources across the public sector
o Design and scale standardise tools for critical processes for WOG adoption, to enable effective and efficient implementation of data governance
• Stakeholder engagement and inter-agency collaboration – forge strong partnerships with Government agencies
• Supervision and team development – supervise, guide and motivate a team of policy officers
This role has significant impact as you contribute towards shaping the government data governance landscape, and empowering Government agencies to confidently exercise data governance.

What we are looking for

We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking leader who embodies integrity, collaboration and a commitment to excellence.

As a Deputy Director, you will play a key leadership role in advancing Singapore's Smart Nation vision through strategy and policies.

If you are passionate about driving public sector transformation, we invite you to join us
Candidates should have:
• Background in related domains such as public policy, Business, Law, Information/Computer Science, Data Analytics/Statistics, Engineering, or any related field
• Relevant experience in one or more of the following:
o Policy and strategy
o Data Governance and policy
o Workforce development
o Capability building
o Regulatory compliance
o Data management
o Data privacy regulations
The ideal candidate possesses the following skills:
• Strong policy and strategy experience, with a sound grasp of technical concepts to bridge policy and implementation
• Strategic thinker with a strong systems perspective and able to see the big picture
• Good perspective taking skills, able to analyse issues from different agencies' standpoints
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills that can create a consensus on action from a wide spectrum of external and internal stakeholders
• Experience in leading policy teams and developing people
• Work with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal and business stakeholders
• Resourceful and proactive, particularly in proposing alternate solutions to achieve desired outcomes
• Analytical and creative
• Excellent written communication skills

About Ministry of Digital Development and Information

The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) drives Singapore's digital development in four key domains — the economy, government, security, and society.

MDDI oversees the development of the infocomm technology, cybersecurity, and media sectors; the Government's digitalisation initiatives; and the national library, national archives, and public libraries.

The Ministry is also responsible for effective public communications, and the Government's information and public communication policies.

About your application process

This job is closing on 30 Nov 2025.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the job ad closing date, we seek your understanding that it is likely that we are not moving forward with your application for this role.

We thank you for your interest and would like to assure you that this does not affect your other job applications with the Public Service.

We encourage you to explore and for other roles within Ministry of Digital Development and Information or the wider Public Service.

Required Skill Profession

Other General