Job Description

[What the role is]

The Education & Community Outreach (ECO) division promotes public awareness, appreciation and engagement on Singapore's heritage through various initiatives including grant schemes.

[What you will be working on]

As part of the Education & Community Outreach (ECO) division, you will play a meaningful role in shaping how NHB supports the heritage sector through its grant schemes. The role is grounded in hands-on grant administration, but it calls for someone who can see beyond the process – a trusted point of contact for grant applicants, a steward of public funds, and a thoughtful contributor to how NHB's grants strategy develops over time.

If you care deeply about Singapore's heritage and culture, can think both rigorously and creatively, and want your work to have tangible impact on communities and organisations across the sector – we'd like to hear from you.

What You Will Do

Reporting to the Senior Assistant Director (ECO Grants Management), you will take ownership of the full grants management cycle – from outreach and application assessment through to post-project evaluation. You will manage end-to-end grant administration, including assessing applications, evaluating heritage merit, overseeing budgets, and ensuring compliance with governance requirements.

You will serve as a key point of contact for grant applicants and sector partners across the Public, Private and People sectors, providing guidance that helps applicants put forward their best work. Beyond administration, you will contribute to the strategic development of the grants programme by analysing data and stakeholder feedback, identifying sector trends, and participating in policy and SOP reviews.

Organising engagement sessions, producing clear written communications for diverse audiences, and handling ad-hoc projects will also be part of the role.

We want someone who can look at the programme holistically – asking not just whether processes are followed, but whether the grants are achieving the right outcomes and reaching the right communities.

At the Senior Manager level, you will take on a broader remit that includes leading the review and development of NHB's grant frameworks, serving as the escalation point for complex or sensitive cases, lead audit responses where required, supervising and mentoring junior team members, and representing NHB at sector platforms and dialogues.

[What we are looking for]

We are looking for someone who combines analytical sharpness with genuine cultural sensibility. You should be comfortable working with data and governance frameworks, but also able to engage meaningfully with heritage content and the communities that create it.

Thinking Clearly and Making Sound Judgements –

• You should be able to evaluate complex proposals drawing on both quantitative and qualitative evidence, apply assessment frameworks with consistency and fairness, and identify patterns and insights that can inform programme improvements. You should be able to hold the detail and the big picture at the same time.

Stakeholder Engagement –

• You should be a confident and empathetic communicator who can adapt your style to different audiences – whether you are explaining grant requirements to a first-time applicant, presenting findings to senior management, or facilitating a sector dialogue. Cultivating strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders is central to this role.

Governance & Risk Management –

• You should understand the importance of proper financial controls, documentation, and compliance – and approach these not as bureaucratic obligations but as the foundation for a credible and well-regarded grants programme.

Background & Experience

• Background in Public or Business Administration, Social Sciences, History, Arts, Cultural Studies, Communications, or a related field would be relevant.
• Strong writing ability is important – you should be able to produce clear, well-structured documents and communications across different formats and purposes.
• Strong project management, organisational, and interpersonal skills are important, as is the ability to approach stakeholder management with empathy and patience.
• You should be self-motivated, meticulous, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Prior experience in grant management, government procurement, finance procedures, or heritage and arts-related projects would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office and digital platforms is expected.
• Preferably at least 4 to 8 years of relevant experience and a demonstrated track record in grants or programme management

Successful candidates will be offered a 2-year contract in the first instance.