Data Centre Policy Program Manager, Malaysia - Public Policy

TikTok; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TikTok is seeking a Program Manager to design and deliver policy programs around data centre operations in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, engaging with government, regulators and local communities to deliver measurable community benefits. You will coordinate cross-functional teams across policy, sustainability and operations, ensuring compliance and impact tracking.

You will manage end-to-end community investments, develop annual plans, assess partners, and track KPIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, international relations, development studies, economics, engineering, environmental studies or a related field.
• Significant experience in program management, community development, government relations, public affairs or corporate social responsibility.
• Proven track record managing multi-stakeholder programs with budgets, partners and measurable outcomes.
• Experience working with Malaysian government agencies at federal and/or state level.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skills with sensitivity to political and cultural context
• Business level proficiency in English and Bahasa Malaysia, written & spoken, as the candidate will be required to read & draft documents and communicate with internal and external stakeholders in both languages.
• Commitment to integrity and compliance in all government and community interactions

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of community investment programs in data centre host communities, including digital skills, STEM education, workforce and technical training pathways, local SME support, and environmental and water stewardship initiatives.
• Develop annual program plans, budgets and timelines for each market, aligned with regional strategy and local community needs.
• Identify, assess and manage implementing partners such as NGOs, universities, TVET institutions, polytechnics, and social enterprises. Lead due diligence, agreements and partner performance reviews.
• Run community needs assessments and consultations so programs respond to local priorities rather than being designed top-down.
• Define KPIs and impact measurement frameworks. Track outcomes, and produce regular impact reports for internal leadership and external audiences.
• Coordinate with country teams and partners across SEA markets (e.g. Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand) to adapt and scale successful programs, and to share good practice.
• Manage program communications, events, launches and site visits, working with communications and marketing teams.
• Ensure all programs comply with internal policies, anti-bribery and corruption requirements, and local regulations.
• Support the development and execution of the Malaysia stakeholder engagement strategy for data centre expansion and operations.
• Build and maintain working relationships with key federal and state stakeholders. Depending on your footprint, this may include MIDA, MDEC, the Ministry of Digital, MITI, the energy and water ministries and regulators (e.g. Energy Commission, SPAN), TNB, state governments and investment agencies (e.g. Johor, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan), and local authorities.
• Engage local community leaders, industry associations, academia and civil society groups in host areas.
• Monitor and analyse policy, regulatory and political developments affecting data centres, including energy and grid access, water use, sustainability requirements, land use, and digital economy policy. Flag risks and opportunities to internal teams.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, position papers and consultation responses for senior leaders.
• Coordinate government and stakeholder meetings, site visits and delegations, and track follow-up actions.
• Act as a local point of contact for community concerns or issues relating to data centre sites, and work with operations and site teams on responses.
• Work closely with data centre operations, site selection, sustainability, energy, legal, HR/talent and communications teams so community and policy work is integrated into project timelines.
• Maintain a stakeholder mapping and engagement tracker (CRM) for Malaysia.
• Contribute to regional planning, reporting and knowledge sharing across the APAC policy team.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Bilingual English/Bahasa Malaysia

Education

Bachelor's degree in public policy, international relations, development studies, economics, engineering, environmental studies or a related field

Job description

Responsibilities

The Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa Public Policy team leads the company's engagement with governments, policymakers, civil society, and opinion leaders across a wide range of strategically important markets. We represent the company on high-profile political, legislative, and regulatory issues, and help external stakeholders understand how our products work and the safeguards behind them.

The region spans very different political systems and regulatory traditions, so the same issue rarely looks the same in two markets. We shape and advocate for practical solutions to emerging technology challenges, working toward a policy environment that supports innovation, growth, and long-term business success.

You will take part in some of the most consequential policy conversations shaping the future of the business, with direct impact on how users, creators, and communities across the region experience our platforms.

About the role

We are looking for a Program Manager to lead the design and delivery of policy programs in the areas around our data centre operations in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, and to support our engagement with government, regulators and local stakeholders in Malaysia. You will help make sure our data centre growth brings real, measurable benefit to host communities. You will also build the trust and relationships we need to operate responsibly. The role sits between public policy, community relations, sustainability and data centre operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Policy programs (Malaysia & SEA)

• Own the end-to-end delivery of community investment programs in data centre host communities, including digital skills, STEM education, workforce and technical training pathways, local SME support, and environmental and water stewardship initiatives.
• Develop annual program plans, budgets and timelines for each market, aligned with regional strategy and local community needs.
• Identify, assess and manage implementing partners such as NGOs, universities, TVET institutions, polytechnics, and social enterprises. Lead due diligence, agreements and partner performance reviews.
• Run community needs assessments and consultations so programs respond to local priorities rather than being designed top-down.
• Define KPIs and impact measurement frameworks. Track outcomes, and produce regular impact reports for internal leadership and external audiences.
• Coordinate with country teams and partners across SEA markets (e.g. Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand) to adapt and scale successful programs, and to share good practice.
• Manage program communications, events, launches and site visits, working with communications and marketing teams.
• Ensure all programs comply with internal policies, anti-bribery and corruption requirements, and local regulations.

2. Stakeholder engagement (Malaysia)

• Support the development and execution of the Malaysia stakeholder engagement strategy for data centre expansion and operations.
• Build and maintain working relationships with key federal and state stakeholders. Depending on your footprint, this may include MIDA, MDEC, the Ministry of Digital, MITI, the energy and water ministries and regulators (e.g. Energy Commission, SPAN), TNB, state governments and investment agencies (e.g. Johor, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan), and local authorities.
• Engage local community leaders, industry associations, academia and civil society groups in host areas.
• Monitor and analyse policy, regulatory and political developments affecting data centres, including energy and grid access, water use, sustainability requirements, land use, and digital economy policy. Flag risks and opportunities to internal teams.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, position papers and consultation responses for senior leaders.
• Coordinate government and stakeholder meetings, site visits and delegations, and track follow-up actions.
• Act as a local point of contact for community concerns or issues relating to data centre sites, and work with operations and site teams on responses.

3. Cross-functional coordination

• Work closely with data centre operations, site selection, sustainability, energy, legal, HR/talent and communications teams so community and policy work is integrated into project timelines.
• Maintain a stakeholder mapping and engagement tracker (CRM) for Malaysia.
• Contribute to regional planning, reporting and knowledge sharing across the APAC policy team.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification(s)

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, international relations, development studies, economics, engineering, environmental studies or a related field.
• Significant experience in program management, community development, government relations, public affairs or corporate social responsibility.
• Proven track record managing multi-stakeholder programs with budgets, partners and measurable outcomes.
• Experience working with Malaysian government agencies at federal and/or state level.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skills with sensitivity to political and cultural context
• Business level proficiency in English and Bahasa Malaysia, written & spoken, as the candidate will be required to read & draft documents and communicate with internal and external stakeholders in both languages.
• Commitment to integrity and compliance in all government and community interactions

Preferred Qualification(s)

• Experience in the data centre, digital infrastructure, energy, utilities, telecommunications or technology sector.
• Understanding of Malaysia's digital economy, energy transition and investment landscape.
• Experience delivering programs in more than one Southeast Asian market.
• Background in impact measurement, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), or ESG reporting.

About TikTok

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Why Join Us

Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day. We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.

Diversity & Inclusion

TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.