ACWA Power Malaysia is seeking a seasoned professional strong experience in experience in water desalination and operations & maintenance (O&M). The role will drive the company's expansion in Malaysia and ASEAN, focusing on large-scale desalination projects and long-term O&M partnerships. The position requires a strategic thinker with deep industry knowledge, government and stakeholder engagement expertise, and the ability to deliver bankable projects that align with ACWA Power's global standards.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Strategy
- Lead origination and development of large-scale desalination and integrated water projects across Malaysia and ASEAN.
- Identify, assess, and secure new business opportunities in desalination, water treatment, and O&M services.
- Structure and negotiate MoUs, JDAs, PPAs, and long-term service agreements with government bodies, utilities, and private partners.
Project Management & Execution
- Oversee project management and execution of water desalination and O&M ventures, ensuring delivery within time, cost, and quality benchmarks.
- Provide leadership in transitioning projects from development through EPC to operations phase.
- Ensure effective governance and management of project companies established in Malaysia or abroad.
Project Leadership
- Manage feasibility studies, technical evaluations, and commercial negotiations for water desalination plants and related O&M contracts.
- Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and project finance teams to ensure project bankability.
- Oversee project development milestones from concept through financial close, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain high-level relationships with ministries (Energy, Finance, Water), state governments, regulators, and industry partners.
- Represent ACWA Power Malaysia at conferences, industry forums, and government engagements.
- Drive localization initiatives, ensuring technology transfer and local workforce development.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee transition from project development to operations phase, ensuring sustainable performance of water assets.
- Support implementation of O&M best practices in alignment with ACWA Power's global standards.
- Ensure risk management frameworks are in place for asset integrity, cost optimization, and operational resilience.
Qualifications.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or MBA
- Experience in water desalination, utilities, and O&M.
- Proven track record in project management, execution, and operation of project companies (either in Malaysia or abroad).
- Demonstrated experience in delivering large-scale water desalination projects (reverse osmosis, multi-stage flash, hybrid technologies).
- Strong background in structuring long-term O&M agreements with utilities, IPPs, and governments.
- Extensive knowledge of regulatory frameworks, tendering, direct award mechanisms, and publicprivate partnerships (PPP).
- Experience in securing project financing and working with international banks, export credit agencies, and local financial institutions.
- Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills.
