Operations Director – Data Center- Projects - Malaysia

Mercuri Urval; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercuri Urval is partnering with a Europe HQ-backed infrastructure solutions business to lead data centre and mission-critical projects across Asia Pacific. We are seeking an experienced Operations Director to assume full operational and P&L responsibility for the Malaysia business.

The role blends strategic leadership with hands-on execution, delivering multiple data centre installations while driving commercial performance, customer satisfaction and robust governance.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within data centres or mission-critical infrastructure.
• Proven business/P&L leadership rather than only project budgets.
• Led multiple projects or a business unit with commercial accountability.
• Strong understanding of the MEP environment in large DC projects.
• Experience managing customers, subcontractors and delivery issues.
• Track record building and scaling teams and operational capability.

Responsibilities

• Own the operational and financial performance of the Malaysia business, with accountability for revenue, profitability, forecasting and resource utilisation.
• Lead the successful delivery of multiple data centre and mission-critical infrastructure projects across Malaysia.
• Drive operational performance across MEP-related delivery, project execution, subcontractor management, quality, safety, commissioning and handover.
• Build strong relationships with customers, contractors and other key stakeholders, acting as the senior escalation point for major operational and commercial matters.
• Partner with Sales and Commercial teams on new opportunities, bids, project planning and business growth.
• Establish scalable operational processes, governance and performance standards as the Malaysia organisation continues to grow.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing operations team while managing external delivery partners and subcontractors.
• Work closely with regional and international leadership across the wider APAC organisation.

Skills

Leadership

Data centres

P&L management

Project leadership

Forecasting & margins

Stakeholder management

Global/MNC experience

Job description

We are partnering with a Europe HQ-- international infrastructure solutions business that supports the delivery of large-scale data centre and mission-critical environments across Asia Pacific.

As the business continues to scale its presence in Malaysia, we are looking for an experienced Operations Director to take overall responsibility for the operational performance of the Malaysia business.

This is a broad leadership role combining business and P&L ownership with hands-on operational execution. The successful candidate will lead a growing organisation delivering multiple data centre infrastructure projects, while ensuring strong commercial outcomes, customer satisfaction and operational discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the operational and financial performance of the Malaysia business, with accountability for revenue, profitability, forecasting and resource utilisation.
• Lead the successful delivery of multiple data centre and mission-critical infrastructure projects across Malaysia.
• Drive operational performance across MEP-related delivery, project execution, subcontractor management, quality, safety, commissioning and handover.
• Build strong relationships with customers, contractors and other key stakeholders, acting as the senior escalation point for major operational and commercial matters.
• Partner with Sales and Commercial teams on new opportunities, bids, project planning and business growth.
• Establish scalable operational processes, governance and performance standards as the Malaysia organisation continues to grow.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing operations team while managing external delivery partners and subcontractors.
• Work closely with regional and international leadership across the wider APAC organisation.

What We're Looking For

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Significant leadership experience within data centres, mission-critical infrastructure, MEP contracting or closely related infrastructure environments.
• Demonstrated business/P&L leadership, rather than solely individual project budget responsibility.
• Led multiple projects, operations or a business unit with accountability for commercial and operational outcomes.
• Strong understanding of the MEP environment and the delivery ecosystem surrounding large data centre projects.
• Experience managing customers, subcontractors, project teams and complex delivery issues.
• A track record of building and scaling teams and operational capability.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience with forecasting, margin management, contracts and risk.
• Experience operating within an international/MNC environment and engaging regional or global stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of the Malaysia market and DC project environment.