Job Purpose
The Strategy, Research & Insights (SRI) department was established with the intent of undertaking strategy and research advisory roles to address needs, create values, maximize growth and improve performance of MDEC especially in key impact areas and special projects undertaken by MDEC.
Duties
This position will be specifically managing key initiatives and projects driven by the Research & Insights unit under SRI, and is expected to perform duties with a high degree of independence, initiative and judgment, and is responsible to plan and manage the following key functional areas:
Research and Analysis
- Research design, data analysis & report synthesis
- Strategy alignment facilitation & advisory support services
Strategic Content & Thought Leadership
- Writing and reviewing strategic and thought leadership articles and content
- Project planning, development and monitoring
Tech and Business Trends
- Provide relevant tech insights and business trends by building and enriching data for better thought leadership and informed decision making in a timely manner
- Oversee and support division/department/unit head(s) in all areas based on historical insights and trends moving forward
Duties & Responsibilities
A. Research and Analysis
- Creatively plan, manage and build relationships with potential partners for thought leadership content placement, research and development
- Manage operations related to collecting, organizing, and analysing opinions and data to solve problems, explore issues, and forecast trends.
- Engage in consultation on corporate-wide research and study activities
- Manage various benchmarking analysis, content alignment, research scoping and development of corporate-level initiatives (eg. MD definitions and targets, MD Expo content alignment, etc.)
B. Thought Leadership & Content Strategy Development:
This role is to manage research and analysis functions, including the following:
- Manage and drive the development of thought leadership strategy and content themes that are aligned to digital economy and Malaysia's aspirations, activities, events and publications including but not limited to Horizon, MDIR, joint publication with strategic partners
- Manage the development of recommendation & positioning papers for MDEC management & various committees/stakeholders based on in-depth analysis of data and information obtained from various internal and external reports and studies
- Build relationships with strategic international and domestic partners for research and insights
- Facilitate the alignment on MDEC-wide strategies in relation to strategic research and analysis
- Continuously contribute ideas and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders pertaining to research and insight matters
C. Tech and Business Trends
- Strategically plan, design, and develop tech insights and business trends based on research output and also stakeholder's requirement
- Provide tech insights through trend analysis for optimum decision making and recommendations through business trends to stakeholders for next course of action based on the analysis
- Plan, develop, research and acquire data required to develop tech insights and business trends for the digital industry
- Continuously monitor and analyse industry insights and trends to identify new areas of growth in the digital economy
D. Project Planning, Implementing and Monitoring:
- Lead and ensure effective planning and development of special projects & conduct monitoring to assess execution impact
- Develop and monitor detailed project management plans
- Manage the coordination and syndication with internal and external stakeholders on proposed and approved initiatives
- Manage and facilitate strategy and implementation workshops
- Manage project meetings to monitor, track and review internal and external collaborations
- Monitor on the initiatives progress to relevant committees
- Manage and track funds and budget utilization and report generation for internal and external stakeholders
E. Process Documentation:
- Manage the development of process documentation and execute improvement plan for relevant areas
- Lead and ensure compliance to enterprise-wide policies and processes
- Monitor and track department knowledge-base and ensure effective utilization
- Manage and lead in the preparations and monitoring of departmental annual budget
Qualifications
1. Minimum a Bachelor's Degree in Economics / Business / Finance or any related field.
2. 8 years of work experience in strategy advisory and market research work, as well as interactions or involvement with related Government agencies and stakeholders would be preferred.
3. Having proven project management, market research and consulting experience will be an added advantage.
4. Experience in developing research insights and presenting actionable recommendations.
5. Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written. Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
6. Possess the ability to synthesize reports with strong analytical and research skills.
7. Analytical mindset, ability to apply data and insights to strategy to drive results.
8. Strategic thinker with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Competency Required
1. Soft & People Skills
- Collaborative team player with strong execution skills
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
- Ability to work well with tight schedules and multiple workstreams
- Commitment to organisational values & mission
- Continuous learning and improvement
2. Technical skills / Knowledge Specialization
- Proficiency in MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) & Microsoft 365
- Market Research, Business Intelligence and Consulting
- Data Collection and Data Analysis
- Public Policy and Advocacy
- Project Management
- Financial and Budgeting
- Personal and Business Presentation
