Reports to: Chief Operating Officer / Chief Executive Officer
Position Purpose: To protect and strengthen InvestSarawak’s reputation, lead strategic communications and brand management, and cultivate effective relationships with government and key stakeholders in support of the organisation’s mandate.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Mass Communication, Marketing, Public Administration, International Relations, Political Science or a related discipline; a relevant Master’s degree or professional certification is an advantage.
- At least 10 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of five years in a managerial or supervisory role, with demonstrated responsibility for corporate communications, government relations, public affairs, media relations, stakeholder engagement or strategic events.
- Demonstrated experience advising senior management on corporate narrative, executive communications, reputation management, government and institutional engagement, and sensitive or high-profile matters.
- Strong understanding of Sarawak’s government and stakeholder environment, including protocols, inter-agency coordination, institutional sensitivities and engagement with ministries, agencies, diplomatic missions, industry bodies and senior corporate leaders.
- Experience in an investment promotion agency, government-linked company, statutory body, economic development organisation, professional services firm or other stakeholder-intensive environment is an advantage.
- Excellent English and Bahasa Malaysia writing, editing, presentation and spokesperson-support skills, with the ability to produce concise speeches, briefing notes, talking points, media statements and senior-level correspondence.
- Strong digital communications capability, including content planning, social and digital channels, audience analytics and the ability to manage external agencies, production partners and event vendors.
- Sound judgement, discretion and political awareness, with the ability to manage competing priorities, confidential information, reputational risk and senior stakeholder expectations.
- Well-versed in digital and emerging media platforms, including social media, websites, online publications and other digital communication channels.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Corporate Communications Strategy and Narrative. Develop and implement an integrated corporate communications and government relations strategy aligned with InvestSarawak’s investment priorities, corporate objectives and approved positioning. Translate complex investment, sector and policy matters into clear narratives for investors, government stakeholders, media and the wider business community.
- Executive Communications. Act as the principal communications adviser to the Chief Executive Officer and senior management. Prepare and quality-assure speeches, talking points, briefing notes, presentations, statements, forewords, corporate profiles, official correspondence and other materials for senior-level engagements.
- Government and Institutional Relations. Build and maintain professional working relationships with MINTRED, relevant State and Federal ministries and agencies, local authorities, diplomatic missions, chambers of commerce, industry associations and other institutional stakeholders. Coordinate government briefings, official visits, stakeholder consultations and follow-up actions in accordance with approved protocols.
- CEO Network – Roundtable. Lead the planning and administration of the CEO Network – Roundtable, including member and participant curation, monthly meeting schedules, agenda development, CEO briefing materials, invitations, confidentiality arrangements, meeting records and agreed follow-up actions. Ensure the platform generates useful investor intelligence, policy feedback and relationship value for InvestSarawak.
- CEO Podcast / InvestSarawak Insights. Lead the monthly CEO Podcast / InvestSarawak Insights programme, including editorial planning, guest selection, research, briefing, production coordination, approvals, distribution and performance monitoring. Where applicable, structure episodes around one senior corporate leader and one government official to provide credible perspectives on Sarawak’s investment ecosystem.
- Investment Missions, Forums and Strategic Events. Lead communications and stakeholder-engagement support for investment missions, the Bi-Annual Investment Forum / Invest Sarawak Summit, investor roundtables, conferences, launches and other strategic platforms. Coordinate messaging, speaker materials, media plans, event content, stakeholder lists and post-event communications.
- Media Relations and Reputation Management. Manage media enquiries, interview preparation, press releases, media briefings and spokesperson support. Maintain relationships with relevant media and monitor coverage, public commentary and stakeholder sentiment. Advise management on emerging reputational issues and appropriate responses.
- Issues and Crisis Communications. Develop and maintain appropriate issues and crisis communications protocols. Coordinate timely, accurate and authorised responses, ensure appropriate internal escalation, and protect InvestSarawak’s credibility during sensitive or high-profile matters.
- Brand, Digital and Content Governance. Maintain consistent brand positioning, key messages and editorial standards across publications, websites, social media, presentations, video, podcasts and events. Oversee content calendars and ensure materials are accurate, current, appropriate for the intended audience and aligned with approved corporate positions.
- Investment and Stakeholder Communications Support. Work with the Investment, Strategy and Facilitation teams to develop investor-facing materials, sector narratives, success stories, mission briefs and stakeholder communication plans that support investor targeting, confidence, project implementation and aftercare.
- Performance Measurement and Intelligence. Establish practical measures for communications and stakeholder-engagement effectiveness, including media reach, digital engagement, senior stakeholder participation, platform outcomes, follow-up actions and contribution to qualified investment leads. Provide periodic insights and recommendations to management.
- Team, Agency and Budget Management. Supervise the Corporate Communications Executive and coordinate external agencies, production partners, vendors and communications budgets. Maintain appropriate approvals, records, procurement coordination and value-for-money controls.
- Governance and Confidentiality. Maintain complete stakeholder and engagement records, protect confidential and commercially sensitive information, observe applicable approval protocols, and ensure public communications are accurate, authorised and consistent with InvestSarawak’s governance requirements. Perform other duties reasonably assigned by the Chief Operating Officer or Chief Executive Officer.
