General Manager, Standards & Compliance

About the job

Our client is a large infrastructure and transportation group in Malaysia seeking an experienced General Manager, Standards & Compliance to provide Group-wide leadership and oversight across major projects and operational assets. The role will drive governance and continuous improvement across Quality Assurance, System Assurance, OSHE, Integrated Management Systems, ESG and regulatory compliance throughout the full asset lifecycle, while advising senior leadership and strengthening risk-based assurance, operational excellence and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Company’s Standards & Compliance function, encompassing QA, SA, OSHE, IMS, ESG and regulatory compliance. Develop and implement enterprise-wide strategies, governance frameworks, policies, standards, procedures and performance measures aligned with the Company’s objectives, risk appetite and statutory obligations.

Establish consistent standards, acceptance criteria and risk-based assurance requirements across its metro rail projects and operational assets throughout their full lifecycle. Provide independent assurance and strategic advice to the Board, Senior Management and relevant governance committees on material compliance, quality, safety, environmental, system assurance and ESG risks.

Identify material non-conformities, control gaps and emerging risks; require appropriate corrective and preventive actions within delegated authority; and monitor their timely closure and effectiveness. Oversee system assurance across design, construction, testing, commissioning, operations, maintenance and asset renewal, including reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (RAMS), verification and validation, configuration control and change management.

Lead OSHE governance and performance across corporate, project and operational environments, including high-risk works, contractor safety, incident oversight and relevant process-safety and operational-risk principles. Direct the Company’s IMS, management system certifications and internal and external audit programmes.

Oversee the Company’s regulatory compliance framework, obligations register and engagement with ministries, regulators, enforcement agencies, independent assessors and certification bodies. Provide governance and oversight of contractors, operators, consultants and service providers to ensure compliance with contractual, technical, quality, safety, environmental and assurance requirements.

Lead ESG governance, performance monitoring and reporting, and support the integration of sustainability considerations into project delivery, asset management, procurement and business decision-making. Establish executive-level dashboards and reporting on compliance and assurance performance; analyse trends and root causes; and drive continuous improvement and lessons learned across the Group.

Lead, develop and retain a high-performing multidisciplinary team, strengthen organisational capability and succession, and build trusted relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Occupational Safety and Health, Quality Management, Environmental Management, Risk Management, Business or another relevant discipline from a recognised university. A relevant postgraduate qualification and/or professional certification in quality, occupational safety and health, environment, risk, auditing, system assurance or sustainability would be an advantage.

Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in quality, system assurance, safety, health, environment, regulatory compliance, sustainability or related fields. At least 7 years in a senior leadership role with enterprise-wide or multi-project accountability, including regular engagement with C-suite leaders, Senior Management and governance committees.

Substantial experience in complex capital projects and operational assets, preferably within metro rail, transport, infrastructure, utilities or another safety-critical industry. Demonstrated experience establishing and leading integrated compliance and assurance frameworks across the design, construction, testing, commissioning, operations and maintenance lifecycle.

Strong track record in regulatory engagement, management system certification, independent assurance, audits, investigations and resolution of material non-conformities. Experience in oil & gas, petrochemical or another high-hazard industry would be an advantage, particularly in applying process-safety, contractor-governance and operational-risk disciplines.

Experience with ESG principles, sustainability reporting and recognised ESG frameworks would be an advantage.