Job Description

The candidate required to work at Kendari, Indonesia.

Client Overview

Our client is an established international industrial company operating in Indonesia's nickel smelting and stainless steel manufacturing sector. The company operates an integrated industrial facility in Southeast Sulawesi, specializing in nickel smelting, ferro-nickel production, and stainless steel processing.

As part of a major international industrial group, the company plays a significant role in Indonesia's downstream metals processing industry, with operations involving large-scale manufacturing, industrial infrastructure, and port-related activities. Its operations require close coordination with government authorities, regulatory institutions, and local stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance and sustainable business operations.

Job Role

The Government Relations Manager (Mandarin-Speaking) is responsible for managing government relations, regulatory compliance, and operational licensing for the company's industrial operations in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

Reporting to the Head of Public Affairs, this role serves as a key liaison between local operations, Indonesian government authorities, and Mandarin-speaking senior management. The position focuses on managing permits and licenses, maintaining regulatory compliance, coordinating government inspections, and handling external affairs involving industrial and port operations.

The ideal candidate is an experienced government relations professional with strong regulatory knowledge, established relationships with relevant government authorities, and the ability to manage complex stakeholder engagements in a multinational industrial environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end application, renewal, and maintenance of operational permits, business licenses, environmental approvals, and other regulatory documentation required for industrial and port operations.
• Monitor changes in Indonesian laws, administrative procedures, maritime regulations, and fisheries regulations that may affect business operations.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with government authorities, including the Port Authority (Syahbandar), Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), and relevant local government institutions.
• Represent the company in government meetings, regulatory consultations, policy discussions, and administrative proceedings.
• Coordinate government relations strategies and regulatory affairs between local operations, associated group entities, and Mandarin-speaking headquarters.
• Provide regular regulatory updates, compliance reports, and government relations insights to senior management.
• Coordinate and oversee on-site government inspections, regulatory audits, and official visits to ensure operational readiness and compliance.
• Identify potential regulatory risks and develop practical mitigation strategies to maintain business continuity.
• Handle urgent government relations matters, regulatory disputes, and external affairs incidents through effective communication and negotiation.
• Collaborate with internal operational, legal, environmental, and management teams to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and permit requirements.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Government Relations, Public Affairs, External Affairs, Regulatory Compliance, or a similar function, with at least 3 years in a managerial role.
• Previous experience in heavy industry, mining, nickel smelting, energy, metals processing, or maritime infrastructure is required.
• Direct experience dealing with maritime authorities, particularly the Port Authority (Syahbandar) and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), is essential.
• Strong understanding of Indonesian regulatory frameworks, administrative procedures, maritime and port licensing, environmental approvals, and local government requirements.
• Proven experience managing operational permits, regulatory inspections, government negotiations, and external stakeholder relationships.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and crisis management skills, particularly in complex industrial environments.
• Excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving, and coordination skills, with the ability to engage effectively with government officials and senior management.
• Business-level Mandarin proficiency, both spoken and written, is mandatory for communication with Chinese management and headquarters.
• Professional fluency in Bahasa Indonesia, both spoken and written, is mandatory. English proficiency is an advantage.
• High integrity, resilience, adaptability, and the ability to handle sensitive regulatory matters independently.
• Willingness to work on-site in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, and travel to relevant operational or government locations when required.

Job Code: #890