Senior Director, Technology Execution
HK
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; IoT Sensing and AI Technologies; and Intelligent Perception and Control Technologies.
It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.
Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred about 1,600 technologies to the industry and has been granted close to 1,200 patents in the Mainland, the United States, and other countries.
We are seeking a highly experienced and results-driven Senior Director to establish and lead our high quality technology delivery and project management. This is a strategic leadership role designed to bring rigor, excellence, and flawless execution to our diverse portfolio of research and technology projects. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a proven track record in systems integration (SI), possessing over 15 years of experience navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, mitigating significant project risks (including delays, quality issues, and supplier challenges), and elevating project management maturity within a technical environment.
You will be the central figure ensuring that our ambitious research projects are delivered on time, within scope, on budget, and to the highest quality standards, meeting the exacting requirements of our government and commercial partners.
Job Responsibilities
Strategic Technology Delivery Leadership & PMO Governance:
- Establish, stand up, and lead the enterprise PMO, defining its mission, governance structure, and value proposition.
- Develop, implement, and enforce standardized project management methodologies, tools, templates, and best practices across all research technology divisions.
- Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure project health, portfolio performance, and PMO effectiveness.
- Provide executive-level reporting and dashboards on portfolio status, resource allocation, risks, and financials.
Project Execution & Delivery:
- Provide direct oversight and guidance for the company’s most critical and complex research projects.
- Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, especially those related to schedule delays, quality assurance, and supplier performance.
- Implement robust change control and contingency planning processes to maintain project integrity.
- Ensure strict adherence to compliance, security, and reporting requirements mandated by government and commercial contracts.
Stakeholder Management:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for project execution matters with key government agencies and major commercial clients.
- Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with internal divisional leaders, project delivery staff, and external partners.
- Manage complex communications and expectations, facilitating decisive actions and resolving conflicts at the senior level.
Team Leadership & Development:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of project/program managers and PMO staff embedded within research technology divisions.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and excellence in project delivery.
- Assess organizational capabilities and implement training programs to upskill project management staff.
Supplier & Vendor Management:
- Oversee the management of key suppliers and technology partners, ensuring they meet their contractual obligations for quality, timing, and performance.
- Develop strategies to address and remediate chronic supplier issues.
Job Requirements:
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in project and program management, with at least 8 years in a senior leadership role (Director level or above) overseeing a PMO or large portfolio. Candidate with less experience may be considered for the position of Director.
- Extensive background in Systems Integration (SI) is mandatory, with a deep understanding of integrating complex technologies and software solutions.
- Proven experience managing a multi-million dollar portfolio of projects with multiple, concurrent workstreams.
- Demonstrable expertise in managing projects for major government contracts and large commercial clients.
- A strong track record of successfully turning around troubled projects, resolving quality issues, and mitigating significant delays.
- Expert knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Hybrid, Waterfall) and PMO frameworks.
- Exceptional financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
- Outstanding communication, negotiation, and influencing skills with the ability to interact confidently with C-level executives, clients, and technical teams.
Preferred:
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
- PMP, PgMP, or other relevant project management certifications are highly desirable.
- Experience within a research & development or technology innovation environment.
Personal Attributes:
- A strategic thinker with a pragmatic, hands-on approach to problem-solving.
- Resilient and decisive under pressure, with a calm demeanor in crisis situations.
- A natural leader and mentor who inspires teams to achieve excellence.
- Diplomatic yet assertive, with the ability to drive consensus and hold teams accountable.
- Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented, without losing sight of the big picture.
The appointment will be on renewable contract terms with a competitive salary and performance-linked variable pay. Fringe benefits include paid leave, medical, insurance coverage and contribution to MPF. The incumbent will normally work a five-day week.
For interested parties, please submit your application with detailed CV within two weeks of the post date. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. The review of applications will continue until the post is filled.
The resume should not include any sensitive personal information such as ID card no. or travel document number, etc.
Position offer is subject to the applicant’s experience and academic qualification. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. ASTRI reserves the right not to fill the position.
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