Job Description: Area Manager, Southeast Asia

CAI Overview:

Are You Ready?

CAI is a professional services company established in 1996 that has grown year over year to nearly 700 people worldwide. For Life Sciences and Mission Critical industries that need to deliver critical solutions in high-stakes environments, we provide accelerated operational readiness and unparalleled performance at the highest standard through our rigorous approach, field-tested processes, and elite expertise developed over 30 years. 

Our approach is simple because our Purpose informs everything we do: 

• We exist to be the trusted solution for our clients as they strive to build a better working world and improve human experience. 

At CAI, we are committed to living our Foundational Principles, both professionally and personally:  

• We act with integrity  
• We serve each other  
• We serve society  
• We work for our future  

At CAI, we believe in a relentless dedication to excellence, pushing boundaries and surpassing

expectations. From the beginning, we’ve challenged ourselves to do what others wouldn’t. Not just setting industry standards, but redefining them entirely. We are bold in our thinking and creative in our approach. We operate at the intersection of wisdom and technology and thrive when they come together with humanity. For us, operational readiness isn’t simply a goal. It’s a way of life. Because tomorrow demands to be at the forefront of today. We do this through tireless effort, precision, efficiency and an unwavering belief that there is always room for advancement. We’re not interested in how it used to be done. We’re obsessed with how it will be done.

Position Overview:

The Area Manager will be responsible for leading CAI Mission Critical business and project activities across the Southeast Asia region. Reporting directly to the APAC Regional Director and working closely with senior management, the successful candidate will combine business development, client relationship management, project leadership, commissioning oversight, commercial management, and team development. The role will be responsible for identifying new market opportunities, strengthening relationships with existing and prospective clients, supporting the delivery of high-quality mission-critical services, and expanding CAI’s presence and reputation throughout Southeast Asia. The Area Manager will receive the training, support, and guidance required to succeed and will work collaboratively with regional and global teams to achieve client, project, and business objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and develop new business opportunities for CAI Mission Critical across Southeast Asia, creating value for both new and existing customers.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, vendors, and other key industry stakeholders.
• Work closely with the APAC Business Development Director and Regional Director to develop and execute regional growth strategies.
• Prepare and coordinate RFP responses, proposals, technical submissions, commercial estimates, and presentations.
• Maintain a strong understanding of regional market conditions, client requirements, competitive activity, and emerging opportunities within the mission-critical sector.
• Provide leadership and oversight for active and future projects across the region as directed by CAI management.
• Manage project budgets in collaboration with project leaders, including forecasting, cost control, and change orders, in accordance with contractual and internal requirements.
• Manage in collaboration with project leader the contractual, commercial, and financial performance of projects in in support of regional objectives
• Monitor project performance against scope, budget, schedule, quality, and customer expectations.
• Support project teams to coordinate peer review activities for client deliverables in accordance with project scope.
• Ensure project deliverables are clearly defined, assigned, tracked, and completed in accordance with contractual and customer requirements.
• Lead and coordinate commissioning activities to achieve safe, timely, and successful project handover.
• Work closely with project teams, clients, contractors, vendors, and commissioning stakeholders to ensure commissioning requirements are clearly understood and delivered.
• Support the development and execution of commissioning plans, procedures, documentation, testing, and closeout activities.
• Engage directly with customers throughout project delivery to ensure expectations, objectives, and schedule commitments are achieved.
• Capture and communicate Lessons Learned to support continuous improvement across future projects.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of regional personnel, including reviewing CVs, conducting interviews, and recommending candidates for employment.
• Lead and develop project and regional staff, creating an environment that promotes accountability, collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Business, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant industry experience may also be considered.
• Significant experience in mission-critical environments, preferably data centers, pharmaceutical/life sciences, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, or other high-availability facilities.
• Proven experience managing projects, clients, and multidisciplinary teams within the Southeast Asia/APAC region.
• Strong understanding of project financial management, including budgets, forecasting, cost control, change management, and Cost Performance reporting.
• Strong knowledge of project delivery processes, including design review, construction coordination, equipment/vendor submittals, scheduling, testing, commissioning, and closeout.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients, senior executives, contractors, and technical teams.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, proposal-writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders across geographically dispersed teams.