Deputy GM

About DayOne Data Centers

DayOne Data Centers is a Singapore-headquartered global digital infrastructure platform that develops and operates next-generation data centers across Asia Pacific and Europe. Trusted by leading hyperscalers and businesses, the company engineers, builds, and operates high-capacity, AI-ready campuses with speed, scale, and reliability.

You will report to General Manager Malaysia and be DayOne's senior leader on the ground in Johor. While the General Manager leads the broader picture, securing the land, power and resources the business needs to grow, you'll make sure our Johor projects are approved, delivered and run as planned. You'll be our main point of contact with state and local authorities, own the permits and approvals that keep each project moving, and keep delivery timelines in step across internal teams. You'll also oversee day-to-day operations, compliance and business continuity in Johor, and step in for the General Manager on Johor matters when required.

Authority Liaison and Government Relations

• Act as DayOne's day-to-day representative with Johor state and local authorities, building the working relationships that keep approvals and decisions moving.

• Support the General Manager on land, power and water matters in Johor, preparing submissions and following through with the relevant agencies and utilities.

• Track changes in state and local policy affecting data centres, including land use, water and energy guidelines, and brief leadership on the impact and options.

• Provide local authority and regulatory input to the General Manager on new site evaluation and expansion in Johor.

Permits, Approvals and Compliance

• Lead permit and approval applications across the project lifecycle, from land matters and planning permission through building plan, environmental and fire safety approvals to certificates of completion, working with internal teams and external consultants so approvals arrive on or ahead of schedule.

• Maintain a single, current register of permits, licences and approval conditions for all Johor sites, with renewal dates and named owners.

• Ensure compliance with Malaysian and Johor regulations and DayOne's global standards, including occupational safety and health, environmental and labour requirements.

Project Delivery Coordination

• Align delivery timelines across Design, Construction, Engineering, Procurement, Operations and Commercial so approvals, construction milestones and ready-for-service dates hold together.

• Identify schedule risks early, from approval delays to utility connections, and drive resolution with the teams involved.

• Report project and approval status to the General Manager and regional leadership, with clear escalation of issues that need a decision.

Operations, Risk and Business Continuity

• Oversee day-to-day operations at Johor sites with the operations leadership, ensuring reliable 24/7 service to defined uptime and service levels.

• Lead risk management, business continuity and incident escalation for Johor, including engagement with authorities during incidents.

• Partner with Environment, Health and Safety to keep safety and environmental management at the standard expected of mission-critical facilities.

People and Ways of Working

• Lead the Johor-based team and build local capability, including succession planning for critical roles.

• Work closely with group functions, including Legal, Finance, People, Procurement and Compliance, translating group policy into practical local execution.

• Turn recurring process problems, particularly in approvals and project handovers, into clear practices the team adopts and sustains.

Requirements

• 12+ years' experience in data centres, critical infrastructure, utilities, property or industrial development in Malaysia, including 5+ years in senior leadership.

• Track record securing permits and approvals with Johor state and local authorities for large-scale developments.

• Established working relationships across Johor state agencies, local councils and utilities.

• Working knowledge of Malaysian land, planning, building, fire safety, environmental and occupational safety and health requirements.

• Experience coordinating delivery across design, construction and operations teams to fixed milestones.

• Experience overseeing operations, risk or business continuity in a mission-critical or highly regulated environment.

• Degree in engineering, built environment, business or a related discipline.

• Acts with the General Manager's authority when deputising, and briefs back clearly on decisions made.

• Influences internal teams without direct authority and follows issues through to closure.

• Fluent written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia, needed for work with government agencies, utilities and local teams.

Nice to Have

• Experience with investment incentives or approvals linked to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

• Experience in a business during start-up or rapid expansion.

• Data centre operations or engineering background.

DayOne is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

If you're ready to grow with one of the fastest-moving companies in the data center industry, apply now and be part of our global journey.