Deputy Director (Operations), Field Enforcement & Operations

About the role

The Deputy Director, Operations Department leads the Assistant Director (Operations) and a team of operation and enforcement officers, providing strategic leadership, command and oversight of HSA's ground enforcement operations. The role develops and directs operational strategies to detect, disrupt and dismantle illegal activities within HSA's regulatory and enforcement mandate, working closely with the Intelligence Branch to turn intelligence into operational outcomes. It reports to the Director (Intelligence and Operations).

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for ground enforcement operations, oversee major, sensitive and intelligence-led operations, and establish command structures and operational readiness.
• Formulate, develop, implement and review enforcement policies and strategies, and communicate and implement SOPs with external agencies where applicable.
• Manage resources and a team of operation and enforcement officers within budget, and coordinate regional and international networking with bodies such as INTERPOL, WHO and ASEAN.
• Lead major operations within Singapore or across jurisdictions, assist the CEO and Director with media and high-profile cases, and share operational findings with the Intelligence Branch.
• Strengthen links between Operations, Intelligence and Investigation teams, and oversee planning, execution and contingency management of high-risk operations.
• Build partnerships with external stakeholders and law enforcement agencies, represent HSA at inter-agency meetings and exercises, and develop manpower, equipment and training needs.
• Monitor departmental performance, deploy resources effectively, and report updates and recommendations to the Director and senior management.

Required profile

• Prior experience in field enforcement or field operations is mandatory.
• Proven strategic and operational leadership, command and decision-making skills, and experience in intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency management.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis and incident management, with integrity, judgement and discretion.
• Ability to command and motivate a team, work independently, and support the team during late-night operations and activations.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of enforcement and regulatory frameworks.
• Critical and analytical thinking, and resilience under stress.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills and sound field enforcement instincts.

What we offer

• A 1-year contract with an option for automatic renewal for a further year.