Principal Advisor to Managing Director

Job Title

Principal Advisor, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs(EduTrust, PEI & University Governance)

Role Overview

The Principal Advisor will serve as the institution's chiefadvisor on EduTrust certification, Private Education Institution (PEI)compliance, university governance frameworks, PDPA, ISO standards, and auditreadiness. This role ensures the school consistently meets regulatorystandards set by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), maintains EduTrustcertification, successfully navigates compliance challenges during expansion tonew campuses, and aligns operations with university-level governance,academic quality assurance, and accreditation best practices.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in bothSingapore's private education sector and university/tertiary educationenvironments, with a deep understanding of how academic governance, qualityassurance, compliance, and regulatory affairs intersect in higher educationinstitutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regulatory Compliance & Certification Management(EduTrust, SSG, PEI)

• Take full ownership of SSG/SSG-regulated inspections, EduTrust audits, renewals, and certifications across all campuses (Provisional, Standard, Star tiers).
• Serve as the main point of contact with Singapore government bodies including SSG (formerly CPE), MOE, ICA, MOM, and other relevant agencies.
• Oversee compliance frameworks for the school, ensuring adherence to all EduTrust and PEI regulatory requirements under the Private Education Act 2009.
• Maintain up-to-date policies, processes, and documentation to ensure continuous audit readiness and successful certification renewals.

2. University Governance & Academic Quality Assurance

• Advise senior leadership on university-level governance structures, including Academic Boards, Program Advisory Committees, Joint Strategic Partnership Committees, and quality assurance cycles.
• Ensure compliance with higher education standards, accreditation requirements, and quality frameworks applicable to university partnerships, pathway programs, and degree-awarding arrangements.
• Oversee the governance cycle across colleges/campuses, ensuring alignment with academic policies, curriculum approval processes, and student protection standards.
• Coordinate reports on benchmarking, tracer studies, and student outcomes for consideration by management committees and university partners.

3. Strategic Advisory & Risk Management

• Advise senior leadership on regulatory requirements, local practices, and cultural considerations (e.g., site selection for new campuses, advertising compliance, student protection, cross-border education regulations).
• Drive continuous improvement in compliance systems and proactively mitigate regulatory risks across academic, operational, and administrative functions.
• Assess the impact of regulatory changes (SSG, MOE, PDPA, ISO, university partner requirements) on the institution and recommend strategic adjustments.

4. Policy Development, Internal Controls & AuditManagement

• Develop, review, and maintain policies, procedures, SOPs, internal controls, and compliance plans to meet EduTrust, PEI, ISO, PDPA, and university partner requirements.
• Conduct internal compliance reviews, audits, and risk assessments; identify compliance gaps, recommend solutions, and follow up on corrective actions.
• Lead preparation and coordination for internal and external audits (EduTrust, ISO, PDPA, university partner audits, SSG inspections).
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of EduTrust and regulatory reports, returns, compliance records, and supporting documentation, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.

5. Training, Stakeholder Engagement &Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide compliance guidance to management and relevant departments; conduct policy and compliance training for academic, administrative, and operations teams.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, university partners, external auditors, and stakeholders on compliance matters; coordinate with departments to ensure EduTrust, PEI, and university requirements are met.
• Work closely with internal departments (Academic Affairs, Student Services, HR, Finance, Operations, Marketing) to ensure compliance across all functions.
• Manage enterprise risk management processes with campus executives, including periodic risk assessments and reporting outcomes through governance structures.

Education Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Business Administration, Education, Compliance, Human Resources, Public Policy, Higher Education Management, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree preferred, especially in Education Management, Regulatory Compliance, Business Law, Higher Education Administration, or Quality Assurance.

Professional Certifications (Highly Desirable)

• Certified EduTrust Compliance Professional or equivalent training in SSG/TPG compliance frameworks.
• ISO Lead Auditor certification (ISO 9001, ISO 21001 for educational organizations, or ISO 19011 for auditing).
• PDPA certification or demonstrated training in data protection compliance.
• Certifications in higher education quality assurance, academic governance, or accreditation (e.g., TEQSA, CRICOS, or equivalent international frameworks) are advantageous.

Experience Requirements

Core Experience

• Minimum 10–12 years of experience in the education sector, with at least 5 years in a university, tertiary education, or international higher education environment.
• Hands-on experience with EduTrust audits, renewals, and licensing cycles (Provisional, Standard, Star tiers) in Singapore's private education sector.
• Proven leadership experience managing compliance teams, quality assurance functions, or cross-functional governance in university or private education institutions.
• Experience in Singapore's private education sector is essential; familiarity with SSG/CPE/PEI regulatory requirements and university partnership frameworks is highly advantageous.

Additional Experience (Welcome)

• Candidates with relevant experience in HR compliance, HR operations, policy development, internal controls, or academic administration are welcome to apply.
• Experience with ISO management systems, internal audit, risk management, or accreditation processes in educational institutions.
• Experience working with international university partners, pathway programs, or transnational education (TNE) arrangements is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

Regulatory & Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of SSG/SSG compliance requirements for international and private education institutions.
• In-depth knowledge of the Private Education Act 2009, EduTrust Certification Scheme (7 criteria), and Enhanced Registration Framework (ERF).
• Familiarity with PDPA, MOM regulations, ISO standards, and audit processes.
• Understanding of university governance structures, academic quality assurance, accreditation frameworks, and higher education regulatory environments (e.g., TEQSA, CRICOS, QAA, or equivalent).
• Ability to interpret regulatory changes and translate them into actionable institutional policies and academic governance processes.

Leadership & Strategic Skills

• Comfortable engaging with local government, regulators, university partners, and external auditors; strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to independently plan and manage the institution's overall compliance activities across multiple campuses and functional areas.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail, accountability, and integrity.
• Demonstrated experience in producing and monitoring strategic and operational business plans, accreditation reports, and committee minutes.

Communication & Language

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to draft policies, reports, compliance documentation, and academic governance materials.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills; ability to handle confidential information appropriately and work with diverse stakeholders (faculty, administrators, regulators, students).
• High-level oral communication skills, including the ability to deliver management briefings, present to Academic Boards, and consult with staff at all levels of the organisation.

University Environment Familiarity

• Demonstrated understanding of academic governance cycles, including curriculum approval, program modification, academic board processes, and quality assurance reviews.
• Experience working in university partnerships, pathway colleges, or transnational education (TNE) environments where compliance intersects with academic quality and accreditation.
• Familiarity with student protection frameworks, tuition protection schemes, and international student compliance in higher education settings.
• Ability to navigate multi-stakeholder environments involving university executives, faculty senates, accreditation bodies, and government regulators.

Reporting & Work Structure

• Reports to: Managing Director / CEO
• Work Mode: Hands-on role with broad responsibility, covering both compliance planning and day-to-day execution across multiple campuses and university partnership arrangements.

Why This Role Matters

This position is critical for maintaining the institution's reputation, operational continuity, and ability to recruit international students while ensuring alignment with university partner expectations and academic quality standards. EduTrust certification is a practical necessity for PEIs wishing to enrol international students on Student's Passes, and it significantly enhances marketing credibility, university partnership opportunities, and competitive positioning.

The successful candidate will ensure the school not only meets but exceeds regulatory and academic governance expectations, positioning it for sustainable growth, campus expansion, and deeper university collaborations.

How to Apply

If you are ambitious and dare to take the challenge, send your CV to
📧 [email protected]