Jobs in Singapore: “How upskilling helped me pursue my passion for healthtech innovation”

Marshall Liu Mao Sheng, 35, is a Business Development and Customer Engagement Manager at Novo Nordisk Pharma Singapore, which has its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore. He used his SkillsFuture Credit to get a diploma in web and programming and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the National University of Singapore.
 

1. What is your role exactly and can you describe what a regular day at work is like?

At Novo Nordisk, I look at how we can create new business streams and drive customer engagement through the digital healthcare solutions we are developing. Over the years, my role has expanded beyond Singapore as well — I currently oversee our business in Brunei as part of my portfolio.

To be honest, no two days are the same at Novo Nordisk. My job is to connect the dots between different teams and stakeholders to ensure the smooth completion of projects. Given that digitalisation in healthcare is still an evolving field, I sometimes have to bring in “new dots” — new people from both within and outside the company — to facilitate this.

The challenge we often face is how to effectively communicate the value of our work to the stakeholders involved — from the healthcare practitioners who are using our solutions, to the internal technical team that has to read beyond the lines of code to understand the eventual impact they’re creating for doctors and patients. I prefer a more hands-on approach where I familiarise myself with the project technology stacks we use and speak with doctors to better understand their needs.
 

2. How did you end up in this role at Novo Nordisk and what have you learnt through your experience at the company?

As a pharmacist in the public sector, I was intrigued by how technology could be used to improve efficiency in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was tasked to manage pharmacy operations for an isolation facility. There wasn’t an inventory system in place at the facility due to the short lead time, but I managed to build one from scratch using JavaScript. We started off with a lite version but added more cool features along the way and it became the default inventory system that was used up until the last day of the facility’s operations. That experience cemented my passion for healthcare and technology. 

I then joined an e-pharmacy startup that aims to help improve medication access for both providers and patients. I was involved in the full spectrum of work, from overseeing investor relations and managing the technical team to business development. In 2023, I saw that Novo Nordisk was looking to hire somebody in Singapore who not only understood the challenges faced by healthcare professionals but had experience implementing digital solutions that could address their needs. I felt that this role required my skillsets in both healthcare and technology, while providing me with a much bigger stage to advance my career. So long story short, here I am!
 

3. Why is upskilling so important to you and how has Novo Nordisk supported you in your career development?

I believe learning is an endless process and we should never stop educating ourselves even as we embark on a career. Hoping to unlock my first digital project, I obtained a Graduate Diploma in Web & Programming from Singapore Polytechnic. I’m currently doing a Master of Public Health at the National University of Singapore to gain a higher-level understanding of public health issues so that I am better positioned to provide solutions for our patients.
 

Personally, what makes upskilling meaningful for me is having a purpose to work towards — it allows me to be more intentional in terms of the skill sets that I hope to pick up and apply in the workplace. My hiring manager has been very accommodating when it comes to my working hours, especially on days that I have classes. This provides me with the space to upskill myself even as I continue to contribute to the company.

Being in an MNC like Novo Nordisk has also opened opportunities for me to provide my expertise to global teams, while learning from bigger markets. The company has always been open to employees gaining international exposure, either through short-term projects or longer assignments. In fact, I just completed a regional short-term project in 2024, where we built a digital platform that enables healthcare professionals to enhance their level of patient care. The platform has since been deployed in Singapore and will soon be rolled out to other Southeast Asian countries.
 

4. What’s most meaningful to you about your role?

Increased digitalisation can lead to more effective diagnoses and treatments and enable healthcare professionals to provide better care for their patients. For instance, with digitalisation, the doctors we work with can now obtain real-time disease management guidelines while conducting consultations with patients in their clinics. Seeing my actions translate to better patient care is what I find most meaningful about my job.

Singapore has always been at the forefront of healthtech and this can be witnessed through the many public-private partnerships between healthcare providers and technology partners. We are seeing exciting developments, such as the integration of smart health technologies in hospitals and home settings. As a hub for healthtech in the region, I believe Singapore’s unique position in the industry will only get stronger as we continue to lead the pack.