Senior Operations Manager, Singapore - Conservation South Africa

Description

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This Position Is Based In Singapore

The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for the overall management of the day-to-day operations of the Singapore Hub Office and for ensuring the effective administration of all Singapore-based cost centers and budgets. The Senior Operations Manager directly manages the Singapore office budget and cost centers, overseeing financial transactions, statutory compliance, internal controls, and audit coordination to ensure alignment with organizational policies and local regulatory requirements.

The Senior Operations Manager leads budget and revenue forecasting efforts and provides support for fundraising proposals, developing short- and long-term budgets, financial projections, and strategic plans to support organizational priorities. The role ensures strong governance, regulatory compliance (including IPC requirements, where applicable), financial integrity, operational efficiency, and alignment with organizational strategy.

The Senior Operations Manager provides comprehensive operational support to all Singapore-based staff across divisions and cost centers, including hosted staff. This includes oversight and processing of payments and invoices, payroll and benefits administration, travel and expense processing (e.g., Concur), local recruitment and onboarding, contract administration, and compliance with Singapore employment laws and statutory obligations. The role serves as the primary operational point of contact for Singapore-based personnel and coordinates closely with relevant program operations and global teams to ensure clarity of roles and effective support.

While programmatic budget development, donor reporting, and project management remain the responsibility of the respective program operations teams, the Senior Operations Manager ensures that all locally hosted staff and Singapore-based financial activities are properly administered, recorded, and compliant, and that operational boundaries and responsibilities are clearly defined and maintained.

The Senior Operations Manager directly manages operations staff, and duties are performed under general supervision with a high degree of independence.

Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Management

• Supervise internal and external annual audits and coordinate audit timelines and documentation. Work closely with the Finance manager to ensure the financial transactions and reporting, including review and preparation of expense reports, cashflow requests and preparation of accounts for CI Asia-Pacific (CIAP) and CI Singapore Conservation Trust (CSCT), and ensure that transactions meet compliance and regulatory needs as it relates to maintenance of charity status.
• Ensure full compliance with Singapore statutory regulations and financial reporting standards.
• Provide oversight of IPC compliance and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Prepare and present regular financial reports to the Board and support preparation of Board papers related to regulatory and financial matters. With close coordination of the Finance manager, ensure that the annual report, audited financial statements, and submissions on Charity Portal for CIAP and CISCT. In addition, lead and oversees internal and external audit process and ensuring it is completed within the agreed timeline, as per Singapore law and regulation.
• Work closely with the corporate secretary on the necessary documentation to be prepared for Board adoption of financial statements, and to ensure general fiscal compliance with Singapore charity regulations. This includes the changes and updates of the board member(s).
• Manage the program's budget and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting. Work with program leadership to identify and implement follow-up actions when necessary.
• Oversee the timely, complete, and accurate recording of accounting transactions. Ensure compliance with CI policies and procedures and local reporting requirements.
• Oversee grants administration and donor reporting. Manage budgeting, reporting, and financial compliance of grants and donor agreements.
• Lead annual and ad-hoc budgeting and financial modeling. Support fundraising proposal efforts.
• Ensure the effective and efficient stewardship of CI's financial resources.
• Manage the operations budget. Monitor project financial performance, burn rates, and donor reporting timelines. Ensure timely close-out of donor-funded and externally financed projects.
• Manage other financial issues that arise, including risk management.
• Provide financial and operational oversight for all Singapore-based staff across divisions and cost centers, including hosted staff. Ensure proper allocation and recording of expenses to the appropriate cost centers and funding sources.
• Oversee payroll administration, benefits coordination, statutory contributions, and related reporting for all Singapore-based employees in compliance with local labor and tax regulations.
• Ensure timely processing and review of payments, vendor invoices, travel and expense claims (e.g., Concur), and other financial transactions incurred by Singapore-based staff.
• Coordinate with program operations and global teams to ensure clarity of financial responsibilities, cost center management, and reporting requirements for hosted staff.
• Monitor and manage financial risks associated with hosted staff arrangements, including budget tracking, where applicable, and ensuring compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
  
  

Admin/Human Resources

• Work closely with Asia Pacific Senior HRBP and Global P&C for guidance on people management issues including performance management, merit review, recruiting, staffing, and compliance with CI policy and local labor laws. Ensure supervisors receive guidance on all personnel issues.
• Supervise the Admin/HR staff to ensure that all regional hub team members' work passes and related amendments are up to date and compliant with MOM and ICA regulations. Support international staff onboarding, compliance documentation, employment pass applications, renewals, and related administrative requirements for all Singapore-based personnel, including hosted staff
• Advise management in staffing and strategic planning efforts. Lead staffing and organizational structure planning to ensure operational effectiveness across the Singapore Hub, including coordination of hosted staff arrangements. Address operational and staff-related issues autonomously, escalating strategically when required.
• Ensure HR policies and practices align with Singapore labor laws and organizational standards. Oversee payroll coordination, statutory contributions, benefits administration, and employment compliance requirements for all Singapore-based employees.
• Develop and implement capacity-building efforts and partner with management and HQ to ensure staff are engaged and are able to deliver results. Identify and implement training needs, particularly where new operational or compliance requirements arise
• Lead and Oversee administrative and logistical support functions to ensure smooth day-to-day office operations, including facilities management, vendor coordination, procurement processes, travel arrangements, and asset management, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and local regulations.
• Establish and monitor systems and internal controls to safeguard operational continuity and accountability, including clear operational boundaries between hub support functions and programmatic responsibilities
  
  

Contract/Grant Management

• Work closely with the regional hub team to support on grants and contracts management, and in close coordination with the Asia's Regional grant/contract teams.
• Coordinate audits of sub-grants and contracts and support efforts to streamline grants operations.
• Oversee contractual management of external grants, donor funding, and incoming pledges.
• Coordinate closely with project leads to ensure complete and accurate donor documentation.
• Support implementation and financial monitoring of externally funded projects.
• Ensure contracts are awarded and managed in accordance with organizational and donor policies.
  
  

Business Operations

• Ensure effective and efficient program operations across the Singapore Hub Office, including support for all Singapore-based staff across divisions and cost centers. Align operation functions with program priorities, with a focus on internal client service and maximizing operational effectiveness. Work autonomously to resolve operational challenges and support program continuity. Support program and system roll-outs.
• Ensure proper use and application of CI systems and processes. Liaise with IT to ensure staff is able to access and use CI's technology assets.
• Oversee and coordinate operational risk management for the Singapore Hub, including risks associated with hosted staff arrangements, financial controls, compliance requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Assist in identifying and addressing issues of high risk and escalate strategically when necessary.
• Stay updated on regulatory trends and policies (e.g., MCCY, IPC regulations, employment and charity compliance requirements) and advise leadership accordingly to ensure continued compliance and operational readiness.
• Serve as the primary operational escalation point for Singapore-based matters, ensuring alignment between hub operations, program leadership, and global functional teams.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  
  

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• This position directly supervises program operations staff. Provides functional supervision and technical guidance; supports less-experienced peers
• Serve as a subject matter expert on program operations.
• Manages the program and operational budget.
• Accountable for managing public or private funds important to achieving CI objectives.
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment.
• No travel is expected.
• Ability to work extended hours to meet deadlines.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5 to 7 years of direct work-related experience. (e.g., administration, accounting, finance, human resources, grants management).
• Up to 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Strong analytical skills, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to effectively convey complex details or technical information.
• Highly familiar with etiquette, protocol, and employing cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Proven team player.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.
• Experience working with Business World and/or Citrix systems is preferred.
• Experience in international non-profit or environmental organizations is an advantage
  
  

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: March 13, :49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.