Global Market Access & ASEAN Partnerships Lead

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

Job summary

Cradle Fund is seeking a Manager, ASEAN & Global to plan and manage international and ASEAN initiatives that help Malaysian startups expand into regional and global markets. You will build strategic partnerships, create market access opportunities, and coordinate international programmes and missions to connect startups with investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners.

You will oversee selected ASEAN initiatives, including the Startup ASEAN Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE), identify new

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of global market access strategies and internationalisation initiatives that enable Malaysian startups to expand into priority regional and international markets.
• Facilitate strategic business matching, customer acquisition opportunities, commercial partnerships, pilot projects, PoC engagements, and investment connections for participating startups.
• Drive flagship ecosystem-building and market access programmes, including Beyond Borders, ASEAN CrossConnect, international business missions, and strategic partner-led initiatives, ensuring strong commercial and ecosystem outcomes.
• Establish, develop, and manage strategic partnerships with international accelerators, corporates, government agencies, innovation hubs, trade organisations, investors, and ecosystem enablers to create sustainable market access opportunities for startups.
• Oversee the design and implementation of startup expansion pathways, including market immersion programmes, landing pad partnerships, soft-landing initiatives, and ecosystem activation activities.
• Monitor global innovation trends, conduct market intelligence and ecosystem mapping, and identify strategic opportunities, emerging markets, and sector-specific growth avenues for Malaysian startups.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of regional ecosystem initiatives, including the Startup ASEAN Platform and other strategic programmes that strengthen regional collaboration and startup connectivity.
• Lead the end-to-end planning, execution, and continuous improvement of international programmes, ecosystem initiatives, business missions, conferences, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Oversee programme governance, budgets, procurement processes, timelines, contracts, and delivery partners to ensure successful implementation and optimal resource utilisation.
• Establish and monitor programme KPIs, partnership performance metrics, startup outcomes, and ecosystem impact indicators, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and strategic priorities.
• Prepare and present strategic proposals, concept papers, Board and management papers, programme performance reports, and ecosystem impact assessments for senior management and key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with organisational governance requirements, funding guidelines, partnership agreements, and project implementation frameworks.
• Drive programme innovation and operational excellence through continuous evaluation, stakeholder feedback, and data-driven improvements.

Job description

Cradle Fund is seeking a Manager, ASEAN & Global to plan and manage international and ASEAN initiatives that help Malaysian startups expand into regional and global markets. You will build strategic partnerships, create market access opportunities, and coordinate international programmes and missions to connect startups with investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners.

You will oversee selected ASEAN initiatives, including the Startup ASEAN Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE), identify new