Senior Manager, State Engagement

This role is responsible for leading cross-functional strategic initiatives, building and nurturing key partnerships with stakeholders, and ensuring that all projects align with national objectives and MDEC’s long-term vision for a digitally empowered Malaysia. The candidate will also be responsible for developing and executing long-term strategies, securing high-value investments and managing relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, multinational corporations and industry players in the East Malaysia region. The role requires a good understanding of the regional public and private sector landscape to navigate the opportunities and challenges.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of strategic projects that support MDEC’s digital transformation goals and national digital economy agenda focusing on, but not limited to:
• Digital Investment
• Digital Export
• Digital Talent
• MSME Digitalisation
• Next Gen Technology
• Other MDEC projects that are relevant to the states in the region
• Provide leadership and guidance to the regional state office team in relation to business planning and KPI setting to achieve the goals of the unit.
• Ensure the effective implementation of strategic projects in the identified areas aligned to the region’s strategic plans and/or strengths.
• Identify potential opportunities for partnership and collaboration with the private and public sectors in the varying sectors of business that would accelerate ecosystem growth including but not limited to talent, funding amongst others.
• Ensure that all initiatives are aligned with corporate strategy, deliver measurable impact, and support long-term sustainability.
• Develop and maintain project frameworks, governance models, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
  
  

Stakeholder Management

• Build, nurture, and manage high-level relationships with government agencies, industry players, multinational corporations, academia, and international bodies to facilitate and support execution of MDEC’s efforts and goals.
• Represent MDEC as the main point of contact in engagements with key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and promote shared digital transformation objectives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to co-design impactful initiatives that address regional and national challenges.
  
  

Leadership, Data And Operational Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the state office, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently, timelines are met and regulatory compliance is maintained.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reports to senior leadership on the progress of initiatives, ensuring alignment with MDEC’s objectives.
• Identify the relevant data required to enhance state dashboard for analysis and visualisation.
• Drive operational excellence by streamlining project workflows, mitigating risks, and ensuring quality assurance across all phases.
  
  

QUALIFICATION

• Master/Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Project Management, strategic partnerships or digital economy development.
• Proven track record of driving industry growth, managing large-scale strategic projects, and building high-level partnerships.
• Strong understanding of Malaysia’s digital landscape, with specific expertise in region’s industrial context.
• Excellent leadership, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and complex projects.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and results-driven.
  
  

COMPETENCY

• Leadership with strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Thought leadership - remain at the forefront of technological advancements and digital innovation
• Confidence with commercial and nation-building mindset - ability to represent MDEC in the region and build strong partnerships.
• Project management - leads projects, plans, guides teams, works fast.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).