Owner's Representative / Client-Side Project Manager

About the Opportunity

We are an Australian-owned international manufacturing business undertaking a significant greenfield industrial development project in Johor, Malaysia.

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Owner's Representative / Client-Side Project Manager to act on behalf of the business throughout the design, construction, commissioning, and delivery phases of the project.

This role is central to ensuring the project is delivered safely, professionally, transparently, and in alignment with international standards and the owner's expectations.

Strong preference will be given to candidates based in Malaysia or Singapore who have an engineering background and have previously studied or worked in Australia. Fluency in both English and Bahasa Malaysia is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will act as the owner's trusted representative on the ground — coordinating with the EPCM contractor, general contractor, consultants, suppliers, and local stakeholders to ensure the project progresses according to plan, budget, quality standards, and schedule.

This is not a purely administrative or reporting role. We are seeking someone who enjoys being close to work, present on-site, engaged with the detail, and willing to proactively identify issues before they become problems.

The Role

This position requires a strong balance of:

·        site presence

·        practical construction awareness

·        stakeholder management

·        commercial judgement

·        disciplined reporting

·        and the confidence to hold project participants accountable when required

The ideal person is equally comfortable:

·        in a project meeting with senior consultants and contractors

·        walking the site with engineers and supervisors

·        or speaking directly with trades and subcontractors to understand what is really happening on the ground

We value people who are observant, practical, hands-on, and proactive.

Key Responsibilities

Project Oversight & Coordination

·        Represent the owner's interests throughout the project lifecycle

·        Monitor project progress against approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations

·        Attend and lead regular site meetings with EPCM, contractors, consultants, and authorities

·        Coordinate communication between ownership and project delivery teams

Site Presence & Construction Oversight

·        Conduct regular and active site inspections

·        Monitor day-to-day construction activities and workmanship

·        Identify emerging risks, quality concerns, delays, coordination issues, or non-conformances early

·        Ensure works align with approved drawings, specifications, and standards

·        Verify that reported progress accurately reflects actual site conditions

·        Build relationships across all levels of the project team, from senior management through to site supervisors, trades, and subcontractors

Governance & Reporting

·        Provide clear, concise, and accurate reporting to ownership

·        Maintain visibility over project risks, variations, critical path activities, and contractor performance

·        Assist in reviewing progress claims, contractor deliverables, and variation requests

·        Support disciplined project governance and decision-making processes

Stakeholder Management

·        Build productive relationships with Malaysian contractors, consultants, suppliers, and authorities

·        Maintain a professional and solutions-oriented approach while ensuring accountability

·        Support alignment between local execution and international owner expectations

About You

We are seeking a pragmatic, commercially aware, highly trustworthy professional with experience in industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, or major construction projects.

The ideal candidate will have:

·      Currently based, or can easily relocate to Malaysia or Singapore and can regularly access the Johor project site.

·      Hold an engineering qualification.

·      Have studied, worked, or received professional training in Australia, providing a strong understanding of Australian business culture, engineering standards, and project delivery expectations.

·      Are fluent in both English and Bahasa Malaysia (written and spoken).

·      Can effectively operate between Australian ownership stakeholders and Malaysian project delivery teams.

·      Experience in client-side project management, owner's representation, EPCM, construction management, or major project delivery

·      Strong practical understanding of construction sequencing, project controls, quality management, and contractor oversight

·      A hands-on and observant approach to project delivery

·      Confidence operating both strategically and practically on-site

·      High personal integrity and accountability

·      Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement

Preferred (but not essential)

·        Australian tertiary education or significant experience working with Australian businesses or standards

·        Experience within Malaysia or Southeast Asia

·        Experience with industrial facilities, food manufacturing, process plants, logistics, pharmaceuticals, or related sectors

·        Based in Johor, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore with ability to regularly access the project site

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to play a key role in a strategically important international manufacturing project and work closely with a highly engaged ownership group committed to quality, long-term thinking, and operational excellence.

Importantly, we see this role as more than simply a project assignment.

For the right individual, there is genuine scope to grow into broader leadership, operational, development, or strategic responsibilities over time as the business continues to expand internationally.

We value capable people highly and recognise that strong performers often create opportunities beyond the role they were initially hired for.