Head - Strategic Communications
Date:
2 Oct 2026
Location:
Kuala Lumpur, MY
1. Role Purpose
•To lead KWAP's Strategic Communications Department in shaping and advancing the organisation's institutional narrative and enhancing its positioning as a reputable public sector investment institution. The role is responsible for driving integrated communications, stakeholder engagement and reputation strategies that reinforce KWAP's mandate, support its strategic priorities, and elevate its profile among key stakeholders.
2. Strategic Communications & Institutional Positioning
•Lead the development and execution of KWAP's integrated communications strategy that reflects and reinforces KWAP’s institutional positioning, and strategic priorities.
•Shape and articulate compelling institutional narratives that reinforce KWAP's mandate, purpose and long-term strategic aspirations.
•Translate KWAP’s corporate strategy and leadership direction into clear, consistent and impactful messaging across all suitable channels and relevant stakeholders.
•Work closely with senior leadership to strengthen stakeholder understanding of KWAP's role, contribution and long-term value proposition and ensure alignment with KWAP’s broader strategic agenda
•Enhance KWAP's visibility, credibility, and influence through strategic positioning initiatives on all relevant platforms.
3. Stakeholder, Media Relations & Intelligence
•Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with media, government agencies, industry bodies and other key external stakeholders.
•Lead the development of stakeholder, media and digital intelligence capabilities to identify relevant trends, perceptions, issues and opportunities.
•Provide timely insights and strategic counsel on stakeholder sentiment, public discourse and reputational considerations.
•Anticipate changes in the external environment and evolving narratives that may affect stakeholder confidence, organisational positioning or public perception.
•Serve as KWAP's central custodian of reputation and stakeholder intelligence to support informed decision-making.
4. Digital Communications & Social Intelligence
•Lead the planning and delivery of integrated communications programmes across earned, owned, and digital channels.
•Drive strategic digital engagement initiatives that strengthen stakeholder connectivity and expand KWAP's institutional reach.
•Leverage digital platforms and stakeholder intelligence to amplify strategic messages, elevate organisational visibility and reinforce institutional credibility.
•Ensure communications activities are aligned, coordinated, and reflective of KWAP's strategic objectives and values.
•Utilise data, analytics, and audience insights to strengthen communications effectiveness and support informed communications strategies.
•Promote innovation and best practices in communications to strengthen audience engagement and communications effectiveness.
5. Reputation, Issues & Crisis Management
•Lead enterprise-wide reputation management efforts to strengthen trust, credibility, and stakeholder confidence.
•Establish and oversee frameworks for issues management, communications preparedness, and crisis response.
•Advise senior leadership on reputational implications, stakeholder sensitivities, and strategic communications considerations arising from emerging developments.
•Direct communications strategies and stakeholder engagement approaches during high-profile, sensitive or crisis situations.
•Ensure timely, coordinated, and effective responses to issues that may impact organisational standing or stakeholder trust.
6. Internal Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
•Lead internal communications strategies that foster organisational alignment, engagement, and a shared understanding of strategic priorities.
•Support enterprise-wide transformation and change initiatives through effective communication and stakeholder engagement programmes.
•Strengthen message consistency and alignment across all internal and external stakeholder touchpoints.
•Promote greater stakeholder awareness of KWAP's mandate, priorities, achievements and impact.
•Foster stronger engagement between leadership and employees through purposeful communication initiatives.
7. Nation-Building Narrative & CSR
•Lead the articulation of KWAP’s role in supporting long-term value creation and nation building, in line with its mandate as a public sector pension fund.
•Position KWAP's investment activities, and stakeholder impact initiatives within a broader institutional purpose framework.
•Lead strategic narrative building initiatives that enhance public understanding of KWAP's role and contribution.
•Promote organisational achievements through compelling and evidence-based communications.
•Strengthen KWAP's standing as a trusted and forward-looking institutional investor through strategic engagement and advocacy initiatives.
8. Governance, Planning & Capability Building
•Establish robust governance, policies, standards and frameworks to ensure communications effectiveness and consistency across the organisation.
•Build and develop a high-performing team with strong capabilities in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, reputation management, and media relations.
•Drive continuous improvement, innovation and professional excellence within the strategic communications function.
•Oversee departmental planning, resource allocation, budgeting and performance management to ensure delivery of strategic outcomes.
Requirements:
•Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business Administration, or any related field.
•Minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant experience in strategic communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, or reputation management.
•At least five (5) years in a senior leadership or management role.
•Experience in financial services, investment, public sector, Government Linked Companies, or regulated industries is preferred.
•Strong understanding of strategic communications, crisis management, stakeholder engagement, and digital communications.
•Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, communication, and strategic planning skills.
•Strong business acumen, professional credibility, and ability to influence senior stakeholders.