Senior Manager, KLCOE Operation
About the Role
The Senior Manager, KLCOE Operations is the operational backbone of our Kuala Lumpur Centre of Excellence (KLCOE), leading general office and site administration for a ~500-person R&D site while co-leading site operations with the Operations Manager and reporting into the site leadership team. This is a hands-on, people-centric leadership role responsible for day-to-day office management, employee engagement, and communications, as well as acting as the site's front-line point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
The role leads a team of approximately 5–7 direct reports and works cross-functionally with 100+ Heads of Department across the site. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, hands-on operator (not a delegator) who is comfortable navigating a large, multinational, matrixed organization.
What You'll Do
General Office & Site Administration
Own general office and site administration for KLCOE, serving as the first point of contact for both internal employees and external parties (e.g. facilities services, immigration, and other agencies) visiting or contacting the site.
Coordinate the site's response and input on matters requiring broader governance support — such as immigration or IRB-related queries — partnering with subject matter experts (finance, security, legal) who may not be based on-site.
Manage the day-to-day operational and administrative needs of the site so the office runs smoothly for a fully professional, R&D-focused workforce.
Employee Engagement & Events
Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of employee engagement, recognition, and corporate events, including festive celebrations, Community Day, Long Service Awards, Dinner & Dance, Coffee Chats, and town hall sessions.
Source, evaluate, and manage food and beverage vendors to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with employee preferences and dietary requirements.
Employee Communications
Develop and deliver clear, timely, and engaging employee communications across multiple platforms, including Email, Microsoft Teams, and digital displays.
Curate and publish the KL COE Monthly Highlights, manage the Connect page blog, and lead surveys and awareness campaigns that keep employees informed and engaged.
Executive & Stakeholder Visits
Oversee the seamless coordination of visits by corporate leaders and external stakeholders, managing all aspects including presentations, site tours, hospitality arrangements, and end-to-end event logistics.
Serve as the primary point of contact for VIP visit planning, ensuring a professional and memorable experience that reflects the KLCOE brand.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Drive and manage company-wide CSR initiatives that align with Western Digital's values and community commitments.
Build partnerships with external organizations and internal teams to deliver meaningful, high-participation CSR programs.
Employee Feedback & Service Excellence
Monitor, triage, and resolve employee feedback and complaints submitted through the e-Voice platform, covering areas such as Food & Beverage, Security, Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), and facilities services.
Identify recurring themes and work cross-functionally to implement sustainable improvements that enhance the overall employee experience.
Health & Wellness
Partner closely with the Health & Wellness (H&W) team to design and execute on-site health initiatives, including health screenings, vaccination programs, blood donation drives, and health awareness talks.
Champion a culture of well-being by promoting consistent participation and awareness of available health resources across the site.
What We're Looking For
Education
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Engineering, Communications, or a related field.
Experience
5–10+ years of progressive experience in HR, office/site administration, program management, communications, facilities, or employee engagement.
3–5+ years of leadership experience managing cross-functional programs or teams in a complex, matrixed organization; prior people-management experience is preferred.
Prior experience in a multinational corporation (MNC) is a must-have.
Working knowledge of local employment law, health & safety, or general facilities/EHS considerations is an advantage.
Skills & Competencies
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage and influence at all levels of the organization.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English.
A proactive, hands-on, detail-oriented mindset — this role requires someone who can execute directly, not just delegate or oversee at a high level.
Willingness and reliability to be a first responder for site issues, given the site operates on a 24/7 basis.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
#LI-FN1
Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.
Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
WD thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.
WD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email compliance@wdc.com.