Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability SEA

A leading global healthcare and nutritions organisation is seeking a Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability for Southeast Asia, based in Kuala Lumpur. This role offers you the opportunity to shape public affairs strategy across SEA while driving sustainability initiatives both locally and regionally.

You will be at the forefront of external engagement, advocating for progressive positions on public issues, and delivering measurable impact aligned with a globally recognised health and sustainability agenda. The position provides a unique platform to collaborate with government bodies (MOH), NGOs, scientific leaders, and industry associations, ensuring your work directly influences policy, community development, and environmental progress. With a strong commitment to flexible working opportunities and professional growth, this organisation values your expertise in stakeholder management and your passion for making a difference.

This role offers the following exciting opportunities:

• Shape the public affairs strategy for Malaysia and Singapore while overseeing impactful sustainability programmes across Southeast Asia, giving you regional influence and responsibility.
• Engage with high-level stakeholders including government agencies, NGOs, scientific experts, and trade associations to advocate for meaningful change in public policy and community wellbeing.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities within an inclusive environment that supports your professional development and values your contribution to social, health, and environmental progress.

What you'll do:

As Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability Southeast Asia, you will play a central role in shaping how the organisation engages with external stakeholders while championing sustainability efforts across multiple countries

The primary responsibilities are:

• Identify, assess, and address public policy risks and opportunities relevant to the organisation’s interests by maintaining close relationships with key stakeholders.
• Build and implement comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies involving government bodies, non-governmental organisations, scientific leaders, and trade associations to ensure effective advocacy.
• Represent the organisation in key industry forums and public platforms to influence policy discussions and promote its positions on critical issues.
• Support senior leadership with strategic advice on public affairs positioning and engagement activities to enhance the organisation’s reputation.
• Ensure alignment with global advocacy frameworks by coordinating consistent messaging across all public affairs activities in the region.
• Lead the development and execution of local sustainability initiatives that address regulatory expectations as well as community needs.
• Design, manage, and monitor projects targeting social, health, or environmental challenges within local contexts to deliver measurable outcomes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams internally as well as external partners such as NGOs and government stakeholders to maximise community impact.
• Oversee the roadmap for Southeast Asia by coordinating B-Corp assessment processes and tracking progress towards certification goals.
• Develop scalable sustainability programmes at the regional level that align with both local government priorities and broader organisational commitments.

What you bring:

To excel as Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability Southeast Asia, you will bring extensive experience from senior roles where you have successfully managed complex stakeholder relationships across governmental bodies, NGOs, industry associations or regulatory authorities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Public Policy, Political Science, Sustainability or a related field is required to provide a solid foundation for this multifaceted role.
• Proven experience collaborating with NGOs, government agencies or regulatory bodies is essential for building trusted partnerships across sectors.
• 12–15 years’ background in Public Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility or Sustainability roles demonstrates your ability to navigate complex environments; experience within FMCG is highly valued.
• Extensive network within Malaysian/Singaporean government bodies (such as MOH, MOT, MOF or Halal agencies) enables effective advocacy on behalf of the organisation.
• Expertise in stakeholder mapping techniques as well as policy advocacy ensures you can identify opportunities for positive influence.
• Strong understanding of community development principles alongside environmental sustainability programme management equips you to deliver tangible results.
• Demonstrated track record leading high-impact projects involving diverse stakeholder groups highlights your collaborative approach.
• Familiarity with certification frameworks like B-Corp along with experience conducting sustainability assessments is advantageous for driving continuous improvement.
• Exceptional leadership abilities combined with negotiation skills allow you to inspire teams while achieving consensus among varied partners.
• Strategic mindset capable of balancing long-term vision with practical day-to-day execution ensures ongoing success in this evolving field.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to advancing health-focused sustainability agendas throughout Southeast Asia. By fostering an inclusive culture that values collaboration over competition, it empowers employees at every level to contribute meaningfully toward shared goals. Flexible working opportunities support work-life balance while ongoing training ensures continual professional growth. The company’s dedication to impactful partnerships—with governments, NGOs, communities and industry peers—creates an environment where your contributions directly translate into real-world benefits for society. Here you will find not only a supportive leadership team but also access to resources that enable innovation in public affairs strategy as well as sustainability programming. If you are passionate about making a lasting difference through responsible business practices within a respected global network—this is where your expertise will truly shine.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a significant impact on public affairs strategy and sustainability outcomes across Southeast Asia—this is your moment to join an inspiring team dedicated to positive change.

Apply today by clicking on the link provided—your next career-defining opportunity awaits!

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C