Head of Government Relations

About Aster

Aster Chemicals and Energy (Aster) is a leading provider of chemical and energy solutions in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Aster is a joint venture led by Chandra Asri in partnership with Glencore Group. Building on the foundations of Singapore’s first oil refinery, our facilities on Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island serve as the nation’s hub for integrated refining and petrochemical production. Aster Bukom operates a 237,000 barrels per day refinery and a 1.1 million tonne per year ethylene cracker, while Aster Jurong Island produces essential petrochemicals that support industries across the region.

With over 60 years of heritage, Aster is shaping the future by driving progress and creating new opportunities for our people.  From advancing energy solutions to driving petrochemical innovation, we welcome you to join us in our journey that reflects our commitment to sustainability and operational excellence in an evolving industry landscape.

Together, we can achieve more—come be a part of it.

Role Purpose

This is a foundational role to establish and shape Aster’s government relations capability. It focuses on building key government relationships, aligning with national priorities, and advising the business on policy and regulatory matters to position Aster as a credible industry partner.

Job Responsibilities

1. Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with key government agencies (e.g. EDB, MTI, EMA, NEA)
• Support leadership engagement with government stakeholders, including preparation of briefing materials and key messages
• Act as the central coordination point for government-related interactions across the organisation

2. Policy Monitoring & Advisory

• Monitor relevant policy, regulatory, and industry developments
• Assess implications for the business and provide clear, practical guidance
• Align internal stakeholders on positions related to policy and regulatory matters

3. Strategic Positioning

• Support Aster’s positioning as a long-term partner to Singapore, aligned with national priorities (e.g. energy transition, workforce development)
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with government and industry bodies
• Contribute to strategic narratives for external engagement

4. Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with internal stakeholders (Legal, Commercial, Operations) to align on government-related matters
• Ensure consistency of messaging and approach across the organisation
• Support key projects requiring government interface (e.g. workforce, investments, permits, transformation initiatives)

5. Issues & Risk Management

• Identify potential regulatory or stakeholder risks early
• Manage sensitive issues involving government stakeholders
• Ensure timely escalation and alignment with leadership

Job Requirements

• 12–15 years of experience in government, public sector, policy, or government relations roles, with the ability to lead and shape Aster’s government engagement approach in collaboration with business and functional leaders.

• Experience engaging with economic or regulatory agencies (e.g. EDB, MTI, MOM, NEA) is highly desirable. Candidates from government or public sector roles looking to transition into industry are encouraged to apply.

• Strong understanding of Singapore’s policy and regulatory landscape, with the ability to assess implications and advise senior leadership.

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across government, industry, and internal stakeholders.

• Ability to translate policy and regulatory developments into clear business implications.

• Experience in energy, chemicals, infrastructure, or other regulated industries is preferred.

• Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment and able to adapt to evolving priorities.