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Manager, Environmental Sustainability

Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) • Singapore • Added on Jun 30, 2026
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This role acts as a strategic architect for Singapore’s green economy, focusing on identifying and developing new growth sectors in environmental sustainability. You will spend your days scanning global trends, conducting deep-dive market analyses, and mapping complex value chains to determine where the nation has a competitive right to win. It is an individual contributor position that requires distilling high-level insights into actionable strategies for senior government decision-makers.

Working at the heart of the Environmental Sustainability division, you will directly influence the transition to a low-carbon economy by bridging the gap between national policy and industrial investment. By identifying emerging technologies and business models, you ensure that Singapore remains a hub for innovation while meeting critical environmental targets. This is about transforming the city-state’s economic landscape into a sustainable ecosystem that balances growth with planetary boundaries.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp analytical mind and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes across government and the private sector. You should be a self-motivated strategist with at least two years of experience in sustainability or economic development.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a Manager within the Environmental Sustainability division, you are responsible for horizon scanning to identify emerging technologies and business models that could become new growth engines for Singapore. This involves conducting rigorous industry studies, mapping sophisticated global value chains, and evaluating the local ecosystem's readiness to support these new sectors. You will transition from analysis to execution by recommending specific government interventions and policy frameworks. A significant portion of the role involves investment promotion, where you will engage with global innovators to validate findings and encourage them to anchor their sustainable operations in Singapore.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain unparalleled exposure to national-level strategy development, learning how a sovereign state positions itself within the global energy and chemicals transition. You will develop a deep understanding of market sizing and competitive positioning techniques used at the highest levels of government administration. Furthermore, the role offers a unique vantage point to witness cutting-edge climate technologies before they hit the mainstream. Internally, the EDB environment provides mentorship from senior leaders in economic policy, enhancing your ability to communicate complex data-driven insights to executive stakeholders.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate should hold a background in Economics, Environmental Science, or Sustainability Management. Given the nature of EDB's work, a Singaporean citizenship is required, alongside a minimum of two years of professional experience in sustainability or business development contexts. Beyond technical knowledge, we look for individuals with exceptional lateral thinking skills who can see connections between disparate global trends. The ability to work independently on cross-functional teams and maintain a positive, self-motivated work ethic is essential for navigating the agency's fast-paced environment.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear understanding of the nexus between economic growth and environmental goals. Instead of just listing your sustainability credentials, highlight instances where you have analyzed a market or a technology and translated that data into a strategic recommendation. Prepare to discuss your views on the global energy transition and how it specifically impacts small, open economies like Singapore. Showing that you have researched EDB’s current focus on energy, chemicals, and materials will demonstrate the proactive mindset required for this strategic division.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role is primarily focused on industrial decarbonization and the transition to a low-carbon economy. It specifically targets the transformation of the energy and chemicals sectors, ensuring these industries remain competitive while adopting sustainable materials and green processes. You will also explore broader environmental growth engines, which might include circular economy solutions, carbon services, or nature-based credits. The goal is to ensure that Singapore’s economic advancement is decoupled from environmental degradation through strategic positioning.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the greatest challenges is navigating ambiguity within rapidly evolving global markets; you must quickly decide which sustainability trends are viable for Singapore's unique constraints and which are merely hype. Balancing the needs of diverse government stakeholders with the commercial realities of private industry requires significant diplomatic skill. Additionally, the individual contributor nature of the role means you must be highly self-disciplined in managing multiple workstreams. You will need to produce high-quality, precise analytical work under tight deadlines to support national-level decision-making processes.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day begins with market sensing, reviewing reports on global sustainability innovations and technological breakthroughs. You might spend the morning synthesizing this data into a briefing paper for the Vice President, focusing on the potential impact on Singapore’s current industrial base. Afternoons are often dedicated to stakeholder engagement, which could involve meeting with an international green-tech startup to discuss their expansion plans or coordinating with other government agencies to align on sector development strategies. The day usually concludes with internal team alignment sessions to ensure all workstreams are contributing to the broader division goals.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role serves as a prominent platform for career advancement within the public sector or global sustainability consulting. Success here can lead to more senior leadership positions within EDB, such as Assistant Vice President, or roles in international policy and trade. High-performing Managers are frequently given high-visibility projects that interact with government ministries and C-suite executives from multinational corporations. This builds a professional network and a reputation that is highly portable within the global ESG and economic development sectors.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal collaboration is key, as you will work closely with other EDB industry divisions to ensure a cohesive national strategy. You will also directly support the Vice President and Assistant Vice President in preparing for high-level ministerial meetings. External interactions include government partners from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the National Climate Change Secretariat. Furthermore, you will be a primary point of contact for industry leaders and innovators, ranging from established materials companies to disruptive environmental startups.

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