PR & Communications Manager

Novonesis; Kuala Lumpur; Hybrid; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regional role

Senior leadership exposure

Learning & development

International environment

Job summary

Novonesis is seeking a PR & Communications Manager to lead integrated communications across Southeast Asia. You will drive strategic planning, media relations, executive messaging, and stakeholder engagement to support business priorities and reputation.

Based in Malaysia with a hybrid setup, you will partner with regional and global teams, guide internal communications, and mentor teams while translating complex science into compelling narratives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or public affairs.
• Proven experience developing communications plans and delivering media engagement, executive communications, internal communications, and reputation-building initiatives across multiple markets.
• Excellent English writing, editing, and verbal communication; fluency in Bahasa Malaysia or another Southeast Asian language is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an integrated PR and communications strategy for Southeast Asia, aligned with APAC priorities, global messaging, and local business objectives.
• Lead media relations, executive communications, and thought leadership activities, including press releases, speeches, briefing materials, Q&As, and media interview preparation.
• Partner closely with Southeast Asia business units and country managers to support external events, leadership visits, announcements, and stakeholder communications.
• Drive internal communications initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, leadership visibility, and understanding of company strategy and culture.
• Safeguard Novonesis’ reputation and brand consistency by providing communications counsel, brand guidance, training, and issue/crisis communications support when needed.
• This role combines strategic planning with hands-on execution and requires both independent decision-making and close collaboration with regional and global stakeholders.

Skills

Corporate communications

Media relations

Executive communications

Internal communications

Storytelling

Stakeholder management

English writing

Bahasa Malaysia (advantage)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or above in Communications, PR, Journalism, Marketing, Business, or related field

Job description

Interested in a career that matters? At Novonesis, we unlock the power of biology to create sustainable solutions that help improve lives, businesses, and the planet. As part of the APAC Public Affairs & Communications team, you will play a critical role in shaping how Novonesis is understood across Southeast Asia.

The Role & Your Impact

As PR & Communications Manager, you will lead the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that support Novonesis’ business priorities, employee engagement, and corporate reputation across the region.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute an integrated PR and communications strategy for Southeast Asia, aligned with APAC priorities, global messaging, and local business objectives.
• Lead media relations, executive communications, and thought leadership activities, including press releases, speeches, briefing materials, Q&As, and media interview preparation.
• Partner closely with Southeast Asia business units and country managers to support external events, leadership visits, announcements, and stakeholder communications.
• Drive internal communications initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, leadership visibility, and understanding of company strategy and culture.
• Safeguard Novonesis’ reputation and brand consistency by providing communications counsel, brand guidance, training, and issue/crisis communications support when needed.
• This role combines strategic planning with hands-on execution and requires both independent decision-making and close collaboration with regional and global stakeholders.

What You’ll Need To Be Successful

We are looking for a strategic communications professional who combines business understanding, storytelling capability, and strong stakeholder management skills.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or public affairs. Experience within multinational companies, PR agencies, or media organizations is preferred.
• Proven experience developing communications plans and delivering media engagement, executive communications, internal communications, and reputation-building initiatives across multiple markets.
• Excellent English writing, editing, and verbal communication skills. Fluency in Bahasa Malaysia or another Southeast Asian language is considered an advantage.
• Strong digital and social media literacy, including content creation, presentation development, and visual storytelling capabilities.

Core competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Exceptional storytelling and writing skills
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Collaboration across countries, functions, and cultures
• Sound judgment, integrity, and resilience under pressure

Additional Skills & Interests We Value

• Experience supporting communications in complex regional or global organizations.
• Exposure to sustainability, biotechnology, life sciences, food, ingredient, or industrial sectors.
• Experience advising senior leaders and executives on communications strategies.
• Strong understanding of reputation management and crisis communications.
• Passion for translating complex science and business topics into clear and engaging narratives.

What We Offer

At Novonesis, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a purpose-driven company dedicated to creating sustainable solutions through biology.

• A high-visibility regional role with strategic influence across Southeast Asia.
• Opportunities to work closely with senior leaders and global stakeholders.
• Exposure to corporate, commercial, sustainability, and innovation communications.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and international working environment.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities to support your professional growth.

Ways of Working / Working Conditions

• Hybrid role based in Malaysia.
• Regular engagement with stakeholders across Southeast Asia markets.
• Occasional travel for media, customer, site, leadership, industry, and internal engagement activities.
• Collaboration across APAC and global time zones requiring flexibility, prioritization, and strong self-management.
• High degree of autonomy, while remaining closely connected to regional and global communications priorities.

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore Other Openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career