JOB PURPOSE

This role is to lead the planning and execution of ecosystem and AI Growth Zone (AGZ) initiatives in the Southern Region, including the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The Manager assists in driving high-impact programmes that strengthen digital ecosystem maturity, foster industry collaboration, and support the region’s competitiveness.

The role contributes to stakeholder coordination, project implementation, data-driven ecosystem intelligence, and operational delivery to ensure that regional initiatives align with national and state priorities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning and Ecosystem Development

• Execute the strategies in delivering ecosystem development including

           i) JS-SEZ digital economy initiatives

           ii) AI Growth Zone (AGZ) programmes

           iii) Next-Generation Technology adoption and innovation

           iv) Other components contributing to digital ecosystem maturity in the region

• Conduct research on ecosystem gaps, emerging technologies, industry needs, and local challenges to identify opportunities for strategic interventions.
• Assist in designing and implementing catalytic programmes such as tech cluster development, testbeds, talent pipelines, and industry-academia collaborations.
• Develop project plans, track milestones, and prepare reports, insights, and recommendations to support data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure projects within the region are implemented according to timelines, governance requirements, and expected outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:

• Build and maintain working relationships with state agencies, local councils, Malaysia Digital companies, academia, and relevant ecosystem players.
• Support the Senior Manager in engagements with JS-SEZ stakeholders including investment authorities, MNCs, tech companies, and cross-border partners.
• Coordinate multi-stakeholder meetings, workshops, and partnerships to ensure alignment of interests and implementation of agreed initiatives.
• Track relationship quality and ecosystem engagement levels to ensure effective collaboration and stakeholder support.
• Update and coordinate communication plan for Southern Region.

Operational, Data and Programme Management:

• Coordinate daily operations of AGZ, JS-SEZ-related activities, and ecosystem development programmes in the region.
• Manage project deliverables including timelines, budgets, document preparation, issue resolution, and reporting.
• Ensure timely communication with internal and external partners, including escalation of challenges where needed.
• Identify relevant datasets and work with MDEC’s data team to enhance state dashboards, ecosystem analytics, and regional intelligence.
• Support operational improvements by streamlining workflows and ensuring adherence to governance and quality standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Technology, Public Policy, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years experience in partnership development, ecosystem coordination, digital economy work, or project management.
• Strong understanding of Malaysia’s digital economy landscape and regional industry dynamics.
• Proven ability to coordinate strategic projects, manage stakeholders, and support ecosystem development initiatives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational, analytical, and project management capabilities.
• Proactive, self-driven, and able to work in fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environments.

COMPETENCY REQUIRED

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Project and programme coordination
• Team collaboration and cross-agency engagement
• Commercial and ecosystem-building mindset
• Ability to work with data, dashboards, and insights
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

JOB PURPOSE

This role leads the development and execution of ecosystem strategies for the Southern Region with a special focus on the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The position drives high-impact initiatives that accelerate digital industry growth and strengthen state-level competitiveness.

The role is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the regional digital economy, deepening multinational and local partnerships, and ensuring alignment between national and state priorities. Strong understanding of public–private sector dynamics is required to navigate emerging opportunities, coordinate ecosystem actors, and deliver measurable impact to the region.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning and Ecosystem Development:

• Lead strategic initiatives that strengthen the digital ecosystem in the Southern Region including:

          a) JS-SEZ digital economy initiatives;

          b) Next-Generation Technology adoption and innovation including leading initiatives within the region such              as AI Growth Zone; and

          c) Other aspects essential to the development of the digital ecosystem.

• Identify ecosystem gaps and opportunities for catalytic interventions such as tech clusters, testbeds, incentive packages, and industry-academic collaboration.
• Drive ecosystem maturation by coordinating enablers for talent, funding, infrastructure, and cross-border partnerships.
• Ensure the effective implementation of strategic projects in the identified areas aligned to the region’s strategic plans and/or strengths.
• 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 and Communication:

• Serve as MDEC’s lead representative for JS-SEZ digital initiatives and engagements with government agencies, investment authorities, multinational corporations, tech companies, and industry associations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with cross-border stakeholders (e.g. Singapore agencies, private sector partners, global firms) to support investment facilitation and ecosystem development.
• Engage with state government, local councils, academia, and regulators to coordinate JS-SEZ and other state initiatives.
• Develop communication plan for Southern Region.

Leadership, Data and Operational Management:

• 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.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the unit, ensuring smooth delivery of JS-SEZ initiatives and ecosystem programmes.
• Monitor key performance indicators, including ecosystem maturity indicators, and JS-SEZ project milestones.
• Identify and integrate relevant datasets to improve state digital economy dashboards, investment intelligence, and regional ecosystem analytics.
• Drive operational excellence by improving workflows, mitigating risks, and ensuring high-quality execution across all projects and programmes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master/Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Technology, Public Policy, or related areas.
• Minimum 10 years experience in digital economy development, investment facilitation, ecosystem building, or strategic partnerships.
• Proven leadership in driving industry or ecosystem growth, managing strategic projects, and securing high-value partnerships or investments.
• Strong understanding of Malaysia’s digital and industrial landscape including cross-border dynamics under JS-SEZ.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
• Self-driven, analytical, and able to thrive in complex multi-stakeholder environments.

COMPETENCY REQUIRED

• Engage and build relationship with state leadership and senior stakeholders.
• 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).

Job Description

1. Coordinate branding materials and campaign assets
2. Conduct research and compile reports
3. Working with internal support teams in PR, social media, events, brand, government relations and project team to ensure alignment of branding materials, consistency in communication and smooth implementation.
4. Reporting to the hiring manager on assigned tasks in a timely manner.
5. Maintain excellent relationship with the project team to ensure smooth collaboration in project and marketing activities.
6. Provide administrative support and assist with any ad-hoc day-to-day tasks as required by the team.
7. Constantly keep abreast of the latest advertising and promotion trends, digital innovations and other communication channels and propose appropriately for further enhancement of advertising and promotions efforts in accordance with corporate and brand image.

Qualifications

1. Currently pursuing a diploma or degree in Marketing, Communication, Business or related discipline.
2. Excellent written and verbal communications skills (in English; other languages are a bonus).
3. Familiarity with social media platforms (Instagram, Linkedln, Facebook, TikTok, etc).
4. Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel); knowledge of Canva or Adobe Creative Suit is a plus.
5. Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
6. Preferably able to commit to a minimum 4-month internship. (Please indicate your internship duration on your resume, e.g., DD.MM.YYYY to DD.MM.YYYY.)
7. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive an update within two weeks after the closing date, your application has not been shortlisted.