Chief Operating Officer (Development) - MY880270

Morgan Philips Group; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Philips Group is retained to appoint a Chief Operating Officer for a premier Malaysian listed property developer. The COO will drive delivery across a portfolio of large townships, from land through handover, ensuring on-time, on-budget, quality outcomes with targeted margins.

The role requires 20+ years in property development, including 8+ years in senior leadership, and a degree in Civil Engineering or related field.

Qualifications

• Proven track record leading large-scale townships or mixed-use developments.
• 20+ years in property development with 8+ years in senior leadership.
• Experience with Malaysian listed developers is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own operational performance across the development portfolio from land to handover.
• Shape group strategy and convert it into annual operating plans and KPIs.
• Lead monthly reviews, launch readiness, and performance recovery plans.
• Oversee planning, approvals, construction, and handover across townships.
• Manage costs, procurement, and stakeholder engagement to protect margins.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Multi-project delivery

Stakeholder management

Budget & cost control

Property development

Education

Civil Engineering (Bachelors)

Architecture/QS/Construction Mgmt degree

Job description

Morgan Philips has been retained by one of Malaysia's most established listed property developers, in appointing a Chief Operating Officer. With a portfolio of large integrated townships and a strategy focused on growth, balance-sheet strength and recurring income, the group needs a proven operator to drive delivery across its developments.

What the role entails

The COO owns operational performance across the group's development portfolio, from land to launch to handover. The role ensures every township and project is delivered on time, within budget, to quality, and at target margins, while building the operating discipline the group needs to scale.

Strategy and operating plan

• Partner with MD and CEO to shape group strategy and convert it into annual operating plans, budgets and KPIs per township and business unit.
• Lead the group's operating cadence: monthly business reviews, launch readiness, and performance recovery plans.
• Contribute to land banking, joint-venture and land monetization decisions with operational and feasibility input.

Township and project delivery

• Hold overall accountability for planning, design, approvals, construction and handover across all active townships and projects.
• Strengthen contractor and consultant management, procurement discipline, and cost control to protect margins.
• Guide authority and stakeholder engagement on approvals, infrastructure and community matters.

Assets and recurring income

• Oversee property, asset and facilities management for investment and township assets.
• Support the group's move towards recurring income, including commercial, industrial and potential REIT-ready assets.

Key performance outcomes

• GDV launched and revenue delivered against plan.
• Gross development margin and construction cost variance within budget.
• Projects completed on schedule, with QLASSIC scores and safety records at or above target.
• Unsold inventory reduced and collections improved.
• Customer satisfaction and defect-closure times improved year on year.
• Strong leadership bench, with ready successors for key township and project roles.

What you bring to the table

• 20+ years in property development, including at least 8 years in senior leadership with multi-project accountability.
• Proven delivery of large-scale integrated townships or mixed-use developments in Malaysia, ideally at a listed developer
• Track record across the full development cycle: land acquisition, planning and approvals, construction and handover.
• Degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Building or Construction Management, or a related field.

Morgan Philips is compliant to PDPA laws, and all conversations are handled in strict confidence. Do note that once your profile is submitted to Morgan Philips, we may be in touch for other potential positions which fit you.