Sayasat Nurbek began his career as a student, completing an internship in the United States where he worked at election headquarters for congressional elections, as well as on a presidential campaign.

From 2000 to 2001, he served as an assistant to Congressman Mark Smith in the Government of Iowa, USA. Between 2002 and 2004, he actively contributed to the implementation of Kazakhstan’s youth policy.

He held several key positions in public administration and major organisations, including: Head of the Sector of the Personnel Policy Department of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2008); Associate Professor and Vice Rector for International Cooperation at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan (2008); Executive Director and Director of the Department of Personnel Work and Management at JSC “NWF Samruk-Kazyna” (2008–2009); Director of the National School of Public Policy (2009–2010); President of the “Centre for International Programmes” JSC (2010–2013); Director of the Institute of Public Policy of the People’s Democratic Party “Nur Otan” (2013–2015); and Managing Director of the AIFC (2016–2017).

From 2018 to 2022, he led educational projects at BTS Digital and served as CEO of BTS Education. He was a Deputy of the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan from February to June 2022. On 11 June 2022, by Presidential Decree, he was appointed Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.