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 JohorSingapore 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)
