Singapore Management University

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

Dean, School of Economics

Singapore Management University (SMU) has started a global search for its next Dean of the School of Economics (SOE). Founded in 2000, the University offers a transformative education for a new generation of graduates and leaders, and a multi-disciplinary research environment to help tackle the world’s complexities and positively impact humanity. SMU has grown to become a prominent specialized university for the world of business and management. The University prides itself for its ability to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, socially engaged, creative and entrepreneurial leaders.

SOE is one of the eight schools and colleges in the University. Established in 2007, SOE is recognized internationally as a leading center for economics research particularly in the field of Econometrics. The school ranks 7th in Asia and 74th globally (Tilburg University’s Top 100 Economics Schools Research Rankings 2021), an impressive record for a school with a relatively short history.
SOE educational offerings include (i) the Bachelor of Science in Economics programme with tracks in Quantitative Economics, or Real Estate and three second majors in Health Economics, Data Science & Analytics and Actuarial Science; (ii) the MSc in Economics with tracks in Applied Economics, and Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, available for both part-time or full-time study; (iii) the Master of Science in Financial Economics; (iv) the Master of Philosophy in Economics; and (v) the PhD programme in Economics.

The Opportunity

The next Dean of SOE will build on the foundations developed over the past fifteen years and have the opportunity to accelerate the school’s progress as an international leader of research and education in Economics. In doing so, they will need to demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and bold leadership that inspires and supports faculty, students, and communities the school seeks to serve.

As such, the Dean should be highly strategic to identify opportunities in the region where SOE can build expertise areas to serve unmet needs and create a compelling academic offering that will attract academics to join SMU and partners (industry, governments & NGOs) to collaborate with the school.

At the same time, the Dean will have the skills and experience to communicate to the Senior Management Team and the Board of Trustees on prioritizing SOE’s needs and highlighting the advantages of supporting the school. They should also help nurture and mentor faculty to set out clear career pathways for their promotion and tenure and assume greater responsibility.

The Dean should encourage and support interdisciplinary collaboration across SMU’s eight schools and colleges and promote research partnerships within academia, with industry and government agencies in Singapore, across Asia and beyond. Given this set of diverse stakeholders, we are seeking to appoint a Dean who is a distinguished scholar with strong administrative experience in a university of similar scope, complexity and standing.


How to Apply
SMU will be supported in this appointment process by the Odgers Berndtson. The search firm will support the SOE Dean Search Committee in the discharge of its duties both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role and to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates.

Application documentation should include (in electronic form): a cover letter describing relevant management and leadership experiences, teaching and research interests, and a full curriculum vitae.

To apply, or to download further information on the required qualifications, skills, and experience for the role, please write to smudeansoe@odgersberndtson.com.

The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory references.
For information about SMU and SOE, please visit http://www.smu.edu.sg/ and https://economics.smu.edu.sg/.