INSEAD is seeking an Associate Director, Operations (AI Venture Lab) to join our Research Department. This is a full-time, permanent position based at our Asia Campus in Singapore.
About the Job
Reporting to the Director, Centre of Entrepreneurship, you will support the Principal Investigator in shaping and operationalising the vision and strategy of the AI Venture Lab (AVL). You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality, relevance, and impact of the Lab’s activities, partnerships, and outputs. In this role, you will lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of the Lab’s flagship programmes and initiatives, while actively growing and engaging a vibrant community of founders, partners, academics, and industry stakeholders. You will be at the centre of a dynamic ecosystem, translating strategic intent into high‑quality execution and an outstanding founder and partner experience. As the AI Venture Lab continues to grow, this role offers the opportunity to progressively take on broader leadership responsibilities, including the potential management of a small dedicated team.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate and deliver the annual AI Venture Lab Sprint programme, overseeing applications, community engagement, partner coordination, logistics, and communications to ensure a high‑quality founder experience.
- Manage and support the delivery of partner relationships, handling day‑to‑day interactions, communications, and operational follow‑up to ensure partner commitments are met, including participation in key programme milestones such as Demo Days.
- Oversee and expand the reach and visibility of the AI Venture Lab, managing and coordinating all communication channels.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders across INSEAD and external partners, including industry leaders, academics, alumni, and ecosystem actors.
- Oversee the Lab’s administration, including planning, budgeting, reporting, and compliance with legal and procurement policies, as well as contract and invoice management.
- Contribute to the strategic development of the AI Venture Lab, supporting the evolution of its activities and operating model as the Lab grows.
The Ideal Candidate Profile
- You are a motivated and entrepreneurial professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy, operations, and stakeholder engagement.
- You are comfortable working in a fast‑paced, intellectually stimulating environment and enjoy turning ideas into impactful programmes.
- Experience and skills
- At least 5 years’ experience in professional services or a comparable environment, with proven exposure to managing multiple stakeholders.
- Strong general management and operational skills, with a strategic mindset and an interest in innovation, entrepreneurship, or technology‑driven initiatives.
- Excellent communication, influence, and negotiation skills, combined with strong organisational abilities, prioritisation, and autonomy.
- Experience in people leadership is a plus, with the appetite to grow into broader leadership responsibilities.
- Professional fluency in English and a solid understanding of both business and academic environments.
- Collaboration: You work effectively across diverse, international stakeholders, actively sharing information, fostering open communication, and building trusted partnerships to achieve shared goals. You value teamwork and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and solution‑oriented culture.
- Growth Mindset: You demonstrate curiosity, adaptability, and a strong desire to learn. You embrace change, continuously seek ways to improve programmes and processes, and encourage innovation and development—both for yourself and for those you work with.
At INSEAD, we are proud of our strong international presence and deep connections to the global business community. Guided by our core values :
diversity, independence, rigour, and entrepreneurial spirit, we foster a
collaborative environment where
empathy and
integrity are at the heart of every interaction. With a commitment to
professionalism and a
client-focused approach, we encourage our team to embrace a
growth mindset, driving innovation and delivering exceptional results. If you’re passionate about working with a dynamic, globally-minded team that values closeness to its clients and thrives on new challenges, we’d love to hear from you! Join our vibrant community and help shape the future of business education!
Diversity is one of INSEAD’s founding values and as such we commit to cultivating a community that pursues equity, exemplifies inclusion and cherishes diversity in all its dimensions. Our jobs are open to all talents, so apply and join us!
