Puurani Ragupathy
Singapore
Summary
Versatile and results-driven leader, with over 20 years of experience in government communications and school administration. Successfully guides teams to achieve organisational goals through strategic leadership and decisive project management. Experienced in navigating complex challenges, leveraging expertise in strategic and crisis communications, as well as media and stakeholder engagement. Skilled in making informed decisions under pressure. Effectively collaborates with diverse stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, to accomplish shared goals.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director (MX 10) of Media Relations
Communications and Engagement Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry
2017.07 - Current
- Lead, supervise and develop a team of 8 officers and 1 support staff
- Drive strategic and integrated communications of MTI initiatives, provide media analysis, and manage reputation during crises
- Drive efforts to cultivate and engage media
- Mentor and identify training opportunities for the team
- Key projects: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Clean Investors Forum and Ministerial Meeting, Committee of Supply Debate, Formula 1 Night Race, COVID-19 reopening.
Deputy Director (MX 10) of Marketing Communications
Communications and Engagement Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry
2017.07 - 2019.01
- Led, supervised and developed a team of 2 officers, 2 graphic designers and 1 support staff
- Drove MTI’s social media strategy when MTI started to build its social media presence
- Supervised the revamp of MTI’s corporate website
- Mentored and identified training opportunities for the team.
Senior Assistant Director, Head of Trade Communications (MX 11A)
Communications and Engagement Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry
2014.12 - 2017.06
- Oversaw the overall communications strategies relating to trade, land and energy
- Provided strategic and crisis communications consultancy to MTI HQ and statutory boards through integrated communications strategies
- Facilitated interview and speech requests of political leaders both locally and overseas
- Provided media analysis to political leaders, and senior management in HQ and statutory boards
- Oversaw MTI's National Productivity Campaign Wave 3 (Business Campaign) to encourage businesses to be more productive
- Oversaw the campaign's research, which measured the effectiveness of both the Business and Consumer Campaigns
- Mentored new staff joining the cluster
- Supervised and developed 2 support staff
- Key projects: Amaravati Capital City, Committee of Supply Debate, Transfer of industrial properties from HDB to JTC.
Head of Media Relations (MX 11A)
Communications Division, Ministry of Education
2012.12 - 2014.12
- Led a team of 5 officers in planning, developing and implementing communications training programmes to develop and broaden the communications capability within MOE HQ and schools
- Developed and facilitated customised communications training programmes for MOE HQ senior management, school leaders and school communication liaison officers in areas such as media management, message development, effective writing, crisis communications and media spokesmanship
- Curated and produced communications handbooks for schools and HQ
- Prepared spokespersons from MOE HQ and schools for media interviews
- Developed emergency plans and operating procedures, including manpower requirements for the division, to ensure smooth transition during national emergency situations
- Provided strategic and crisis communications consultancy to MOE HQ, schools and tertiary education institutes.
Head of Internal Communications (MX 11)
Communications Division, Ministry of Education
2010.04 - 2012.12
- Led a team of 7 officers in planning and implementing internal communications strategies to promote understanding and buy-in of education policies and initiatives and enhance two-way communications within MOE HQ and schools (staff strength of over 35,000)
- Managed online feedback and communications portal which encouraged staff to dialogue with their peers, content experts and senior management (My Forum)
- Produced quarterly digests which provided teachers with in-depth understanding of key MOE policies and initiatives (Contact)
- Organised platforms for staff to interact directly with senior management / political leaders (Townhall for HQ, school visits)
- Analysed staff feedback and sentiment for senior management and political leaders
- Briefed National Institute of Education teaching undergraduates on communications policy
- Provided strategic and crisis communications consultancy to MOE HQ, schools and tertiary education institutes.
Senior / Corporate Communications Executive (MX 11)
Communications Division, Ministry of Education
2010.02 - 2010.03
- Provided strategic and crisis communications consultancy to MOE HQ, schools and tertiary education institutes through integrated communications strategies
- Facilitated interview and speech requests of political leaders both locally and overseas
- Provided media analysis to political leaders, MOE HQ senior management and school leaders
- Monitored the division’s Balanced Scorecard to ensure strategies and plans are aligned with organisational objectives
- Oversaw MOE Public Perception Survey which informed us on awareness of MOE policies, and the areas in which communications efforts should be focused on
- Mentored new staff joining the division
- Key projects: Review of Primary Education, MOE Workplan Seminar, Racial Harmony Day, Singapore Conference in Washington DC, Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Administration Manager (MX 12)
Xingnan Primary School, Ministry of Education
2002.02 - 2007.01
- Supervised, managed and developed a team of about 20 administrative and operational support staff and contract staff
- Managed finances and oversaw procurement and stock-taking of assets
- Oversaw estate management which included liaising with vendors on maintenance, improvement and repair works, monitoring school security and safety
- Chairperson of Energy and Conservation Committee that tracked utilities consumption, found ways to reduce energy consumption and educated staff and students to conserve energy
- Coordinated and supervised pupil and personnel management tasks and office administration
- Managed parents’ requests - call-ins, walk-ins and written.
Administrative Officer (Temporary)
NUS Enterprise, National University of Singapore
2001.09 - 2002.01
- Shortlisted applications of potential interns for NUS College in Silicon Valley project and coordinated interviews with the NUS panel and the US startup companies
- Created and maintained detailed database of students to track their applications, travel and internship status
- Organised pre-travel briefings and trainings for successful students, and liaised with US Embassy and travel agents to faciliate their travel arrangements and visa applications
- Monitored expenditure and processed claims based on approved budget for staff located overseas
- Administrative tasks for the NUS Colleges Steering Committee including coordinating meetings and answering students’ queries.
Administrative Executive (Temporary)
International Relations Office, National University of Singapore
2001.07 - 2001.09
- Shortlisted students for A*Star's overseas attachment programme
- Sourced for and compiled information on overseas universities in USA and Canada for potential partnerships with NUS
- Planned trips for promotional tours by NUS to overseas universities.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Merit) in Political Science and Sociology -
National University of Singapore
01.2001
GCE ‘A’ Level Certificate -
St Andrew's Junior College
01.1997
GCE ‘O’ Level Certificate -
Raffles Girls' School
01.1994
Skills
- Communications strategy
- Strategic communications
- Crisis communications
- Media engagement
- Internal communications
- Leadership
- Mentoring
- Team building
- Project management
- Analytical thinking
- Problem solving
Awards
The Commendation Medal (Pingat Kepujian), 2021
References
- Lim Weilin (Ms), Coordinating Director at Prime Minister’s Office (Communications Group) and Senior Director (Engagement) at Ministry of Communications and Information
- Andrea Goh (Ms), Senior Director of Media Division at Ministry of Communications and Information, Andrea_Goh@mci.gov.sg
- Gary Low, Director of Communications and Engagement Division at Ministry of Trade and Industry, Gary_Low@mti.gov.sg
Timeline
Deputy Director (MX 10) of Media Relations
Communications and Engagement Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry
2017.07 - Current
Deputy Director (MX 10) of Marketing Communications
Communications and Engagement Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry
2017.07 - 2019.01
Senior Assistant Director, Head of Trade Communications (MX 11A)
Communications and Engagement Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry
2014.12 - 2017.06
Head of Media Relations (MX 11A)
Communications Division, Ministry of Education
2012.12 - 2014.12
Head of Internal Communications (MX 11)
Communications Division, Ministry of Education
2010.04 - 2012.12
Senior / Corporate Communications Executive (MX 11)
Communications Division, Ministry of Education
2010.02 - 2010.03
Administration Manager (MX 12)
Xingnan Primary School, Ministry of Education
2002.02 - 2007.01
Administrative Officer (Temporary)
NUS Enterprise, National University of Singapore
2001.09 - 2002.01
Administrative Executive (Temporary)
International Relations Office, National University of Singapore
2001.07 - 2001.09
Bachelor of Arts (Merit) in Political Science and Sociology -
National University of Singapore
GCE ‘A’ Level Certificate -
St Andrew's Junior College
GCE ‘O’ Level Certificate -
Raffles Girls' School
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