Singapore Management University
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    Singapore Management University
    (26 reviews)
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Singapore Management University

    3.826 ratings in total
    5
    9
    4
    8
    3
    5
    2
    3
    1
    1
    92%
    Rate salary as high or average
    81%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.9(26 ratings)
    Career development
    3.0(26 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    4.1(26 ratings)
    Management
    3.3(26 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.7(26 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    5.0(1 ratings)
    Ratings for Singapore Management University are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 26 reviews sorted by most recent
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    5.0
    Securities Officer
    May 2025
    Sungei Road Central Region5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Iam a security officer from before 5 year
    The good thingsI like security duty that iam a security officer......I should to perform my duty well.
    The challengesI don't like miss behavior.
    5.0
    Teaching Assistant
    Jun 2022
    Singapore3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Immersive, hands-on and educational, all in one
    The good thingsSystems (digital) are all in place to have the teaching assistant stints able to be carried out seamlessly. Overall, classroom facilities are good and the job is enjoyable.
    The challengesSelection of teaching assistants can be better carried out operationally to fulfil the needs of all stakeholders: - Students - Professors - Teaching Assistants
    5.0
    Executive
    Oct 2021
    Singapore1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Work Life Integration
    The good thingsTeam work, Matrix work environment.
    The challengesToo many changes in policies and management.
    5.0
    Senior Executive
    May 2020
    Singapore7 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    Great place to be in
    The good thingsEveryone works as a team, not much politics.
    The challengesMay take sometime for approvals to go through
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Head
    May 2019
    9 to 10 years in the role, current employee
    Ample room for one to make meaningful contributions
    The good thingsOverall positive working environment with supportive supervisors and an empowering work culture. Lots of opportunities to play one's part in effecting positive changes and growth in one's and organisational work areas. Lots of autonomy given with regards to how to lead and manage a team. Great work-life balance.
    The challengesPeriodic 'brick walls' in terms of 'turfing' or 'working in silos' either consciously or unconsciously. Nothing that constant communication and sharing of perspectives cannot solve:)
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Assistant Director (but don't be fooled - this means nothing and you have zero autonomy)
    Apr 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Local bureaucratic institution trying to act global and dynamic - inauthentic and wannabe
    The good thingsThe city location and some staff benefits
    The challengesThe management (from the people in the cushy offices to mid-management, i.e. Associate Directors and above) are hopeless - lack leadership skills, have zero direction and spend most of their free time (which is aplenty) playing politics and acting like they are actually working, in order to get themselves ahead and/or make sure they retain their cushy seats. On the ground staff are treated badly and left to pick up the pieces left by the bad decisions their 'higher upps' make. Seriously consider avoiding this organisation, unless lunchtime city shopping is your only criteria for a job (that is, if there is even time for that as you get marked for taking a longer lunch). Avoid, avoid, avoid. Avoid at all cost.
    14 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Research engineer
    Apr 2019
    Singapore3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    A good experience
    The good thingsWork life balance
    The challengesPicking up new skillsets. On the job training. Being independent. No mentorship.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Assistant manager
    Feb 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    2 years
    The good thingsPeople here are helpful and friendly. No politics. Transportation is v accessible. Food options are aplenty. Overall facilities and environment is good.
    The challengesCertain administrative processes can be improved with better SOPs. Peak periods are quite stressful due to multiple projects on hand.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Head
    Oct 2018
    9 to 10 years in the role, current employee
    Vibrant and Forward Thinking Organisation
    The good thingsStrong support and autonomy from Senior Management in providing the space and runway for staff to accomplish their mission and goals for the organisation. Great colleagues and dynamic working environment especially for those who enjoy facilitating people and organisational development
    The challengesImproving 'customer service' standards for internal customers
    3.0
    General Office
    Mar 2018
    Singapore5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Benefits are Good but Management is Lacking
    The good thingsMost colleagues are helpful and enthusiastic about making improvements to the workplace. Many are willing to share their expertise and time. Benefits are quite good as well, insurance coverage is definitely a plus. Pretty autonomous, allows for employees to make certain decision on their own based on their own experience and training. Work life balance is supported, generally allowing staff time off whenever needed and there are flexible arrangements available for family people.
    The challengesUnfortunately management is not ideal for true staff development. Many buzzwords and promises are made, but the big picture and staff retention is poor. Some management treat staff simply as tools to be put to use wherever they see fit, even if it doesn't develop/help the staff, or may cause issues in the long run. Quantitative recognition is poor, taking on more duties and additional scopes do not lead to the appropriate recognition (eg. promotion, pay raise, additional bonus) even after years of doing so without complaint. Decisions are made based on in the moment needs, not considering future issues.
    8 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Research
    Mar 2018
    Unclear HR policies, benefits not transparent depending on the hiring manager and depts to choose the buffet. Employees' welfare not championed
    The good thingslocation, many seminars to attend, healthcare
    The challengeshigh stress, ambiguous job scope allows managers to expand your work without worry
    3 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Research Engineer
    Mar 2018
    3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    SMU is one of the best university in SEA
    The good things- Young - Flexible - Professional
    The challenges- Career path is very stable here!
    3.0
    IT consultant
    Dec 2017
    Not so good for Technology centric people
    The good thingsPeople working along with you and the benefits
    The challengesCulture. The user’s expectation to get thing done perfectly.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Administrative manager
    May 2017
    7 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    One of the best universities to work for
    The good thingsExcellent colleagues and vibrant culture
    The challengesWork processes could be improved further
    3 people found this helpful
    4.0
    IT Manager
    Apr 2017
    Singapore1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    A good place to work
    The good thingsOther Benefits
    The challengesTight deadlines and over expectation
    4.0
    Assistant director
    Mar 2017
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    SMU..a challenging but rewarding workplace
    The good thingsgood environment
    The challengesmeeting expectations
    4.0
    Research Engineer
    Feb 2017
    SingaporeLess than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Great place to learn and progress
    The good thingsMy supervisor is really patient and gives me flexibility to think about problems.
    The challengesIt really depends on what kind of project you are working on. To me, sometimes I may get distracted by some other minor things, i.e. doing some admin work for teammates.
    4.0
    Marketing and Communications
    Dec 2016
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Good working environment generally
    The good thingsGood work life balance and staff benefits.
    The challengesLack of career progression amidst constantly changes in direction.
    3 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Accreditation staff
    Dec 2016
    Pretty good working environment
    The good thingsColleagues were fun to be with. Managers were supportive too.
    The challengesFair bit of politics, but there were also good superiors who supports you
    4.0
    Senior Manager
    Nov 2016
    Good benefits with work-life balance
    The good thingsGreat flex-benefits system
    The challengesDoes not has a fair staff appraisal system
    2.0
    Admin manager
    Nov 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Admin Manager
    The good thingsConvenient location
    The challengesMostly contract posts no job security.
    1 person found this helpful
    2.0
    Corporate Manager
    Nov 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Management has no direction
    The good thingsGood colleagues, good benefits.
    The challengesLack of management direction and leadership.
    5.0
    Research Assistant
    Oct 2016
    Singapore1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Researching as a Passion
    The good things1) Highly supportive admin and research staff, resources and faculty 2) Flexible working arrangements 3) Good working environment and timings (Proper desks, IT infrastructure and support is provided) 4) Regular working hours (Rarely did I have to clock in OT, and even so, OT compensation is quite good) 5) Ample training courses and opportunities provided - As long as there is a course or conference that interests you, most (if not all managers will be willing to support - either through time off or financial sponsorship)
    The challengesAt times the job can become quite repetitive and boring. However, that is generally expected of a research assistant. Additionally, some of the research materials that is required must be sought from external sources (for example, the national library along with its archival materials). Also, the access of scholarly journals should be improved to make downloading and annotating of journals much easier, given that this is a crucial component of our work.
    2.0
    IT
    Aug 2016
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    not friendly
    The good thingsbenefits are good
    The challengesnot friendly
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Research Fellow
    Aug 2016
    Singapore1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Good pay for researchers but lack prospects.
    The good things- The pay for researchers are much better compared to other local institutions. - We are given room to innovate and explore new ideas. - Accessible location to everywhere in Singapore. - Good work life balance and good facilities. - Good food and vibrancy around the campus.
    The challenges- Lack prospects for researchers. - Near to impossible to advance as a researcher to professor level. - Like many research centres, there is no job stability and the job is at the mercy of availability of funds. - Yearly contract basis so you can hardly plan for your future.
    1 person found this helpful
    3.0
    Senior executive
    Jun 2015
    SingaporeLess than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Working in Singapore Management
    The good thingsA well established university with proper system
    The challengesSalary for foreigner is not equally as local even the scope of work and title of work are similiar.
    8 people found this helpful
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