Managing Director | Thailand-based

Michael Page; Mabalacat; On-site; PHP 11,997,600 - 14,397,120; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive executive compensation package

High autonomy in decision-making

Long-term career pathway within a global organization

Job summary

A global executive recruitment agency seeks a strategic leader to oversee multi-country operations in the Philippines. The ideal candidate will have over 20 years of leadership experience in asset-intensive industries, expertise in managing CAPEX programs across Asia, and a proven track record in mergers and acquisitions. This role includes setting performance targets, managing risks, and engaging with government officials. An attractive executive compensation package with long-term career progression is offered.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressive leadership in complex, asset-intensive operations.
• Demonstrated success in managing large CAPEX programs across Asian markets.
• Proven experience in M&A from origination through integration.

Responsibilities

• Translate board and CEO direction into a multi-year operating plan.
• Drive margin expansion and ensure asset performance.
• Lead post-merger integration and manage pipeline opportunities.
• Govern the end-to-end project lifecycle for capital projects.
• Cultivate relationships with public bodies and industry associations.
• Oversee risk frameworks and capital stewardship.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

Financial acumen

Government engagement

M&A expertise

Multicultural team building

Digital performance management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

MBA/Finance or equivalent advanced degree

Job description

• Transformational Leadership Opportunity in a High‑Growth Portfolio
• Regional Influence With the Ability to Drive Sustainable Impact

About Our Client

Our client is a diversified, multi‑country operating platform with a strong balance sheet and a track record of disciplined growth over the last decade. The group manages a mix of mature assets and new‑build programs, operating through a lean corporate center and empowered country businesses.

Job Description

1) Strategy Execution & Portfolio Design

• Translate board and CEO direction into a multi‑year operating plan with clear priorities, balancing near‑term reliability with long‑term scalability.
• Shape the portfolio composition and capital agenda-prioritise high‑return investments and sequence initiatives to ensure ROIC consistently exceeds WACC.
• Set enterprise performance targets (financial, operational, risk, sustainability), cascade KPIs, and run a quarterly review cadence with transparent course‑corrections.

2) Operational Excellence & Asset Performance

• Establish a standard operating model across regions for maintenance, reliability, throughput, and cost-supported by shared services and centres of excellence.
• Drive margin expansion and unit‑cost reduction via demand/supply planning, productivity, lean methods, and vendor strategy; ensure consistent uptime and quality.
• Institutionalise HSE leadership and compliance with local and international standards; ensure leading indicators, audits, and corrective actions are embedded.

3) Growth via Transactions & Integration

• Build and maintain a pipeline of inorganic opportunities; lead diligence (commercial/technical/ESG), valuation, and executive approval processes.
• Own post‑merger integration: operating blueprint, 90‑/180‑/365‑day value capture, synergy tracking, culture integration, and leadership appointments.
• Execute capital recycling options (e.g., joint ventures, minority sell‑downs, platform partnerships) to optimise leverage, accelerate growth, and rebalance risk.

4) Capital Projects & New Development (Greenfield & Expansion)

• Govern the end‑to‑end project lifecycle: feasibility, master planning, permitting/approvals, contracting strategy (EPC/EPCM or modular variants), commissioning, and handover.
• Install gated approvals and risk/contingency frameworks; enforce schedule discipline and budget integrity; ensure assets reach design performance on ramp‑up.
• Embed best‑practice governance for contract management, change control, and claims prevention; maintain transparent reporting to ExCom/Board.

5) Government, Regulators & Ecosystem Engagement

• Cultivate trusted relationships with relevant public bodies, state‑linked enterprises, and industry associations in policy‑driven markets.
• Align major programs with national and regional development agendas; monitor regulatory shifts and advocate for stable, pro‑investment operating conditions.
• Safeguard the company's license to operate through proactive compliance and reputation management.

6) Capital Stewardship & Enterprise Risk

• Partner with the CFO on funding strategy and leverage; calibrate the portfolio's mix of long‑term contracts vs. merchant/variable exposures.
• Oversee risk frameworks covering macro (FX, commodities), regulatory, construction, counterparty, and operational risks; ensure controls and hedging are fit‑for‑purpose.
• Lead portfolio review cycles to retire, repurpose, or divest under‑performing assets and redeploy capital to higher‑return opportunities.

7) Leadership, Talent & Culture

• Build a high‑performing, multicultural leadership bench; drive succession plans for mission‑critical roles and scale managerial capability at pace.
• Champion an inclusive, performance‑and‑safety‑first culture; set expectations for accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct.
• Sponsor capability programs (technical, HSE, project delivery, commercial acumen) and structured coaching across the region.

8) Digital, Data & Performance Management

• Deploy real‑time performance dashboards and analytics to track asset health, project milestones, spend, and ROI; democratise insights for faster decisions.
• Introduce predictive maintenance, advanced planning tools, and portfolio scenario modelling to enable proactive management of bottlenecks and risk.

The Successful Applicant

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline required; MBA/Finance or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• 20+ years of progressive leadership in complex, asset‑intensive or multi‑site operations, including multi‑country P&L accountability.
• Demonstrated success running large CAPEX programs and operating portfolios across at least two to three Asian markets; global exposure a plus.
• Material M&A experience from origination through integration with a multi‑billion cumulative deal track record; proven synergy realisation and return uplift.
• Depth in both brownfield optimisation (availability, efficiency, cost leadership) and greenfield oversight (development governance, contracting, commissioning).
• Strong financial and risk acumen: capital allocation, project finance constructs, exposure management, and portfolio economics.
• Experienced interlocutor with government/regulators; adept at navigating policy environments and aligning to national development priorities.
• Willingness to travel frequently across Asia and other regions to oversee operations, projects, integrations, and stakeholder engagements.

What's on Offer

• Strategic Leadership of a Multi‑Country Platform
• High Autonomy & Executive Decision‑Making Authority
• Exposure to Complex, High‑Value Programs
• Opportunity to Build & Develop a World‑Class Leadership Bench
• Attractive Executive Compensation Package: A competitive remuneration structure aligned with the seniority of the role, including performance‑based incentives, long‑term value‑creation components, and comprehensive executive benefits.
• Long‑Term Career Pathway Within a Global Organisation