Account Director / Senior PR Manager, Malaysia

Job Title: Account Director / Senior PR Manager, Malaysia

Company: Upcycle Communications

Location: Remote - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

About Upcycle Communications:

Upcycle Communications is an independent, award-winning agency that believes the heart of luxury travel and hospitality lies in authentic connections and meaningful storytelling.

Purpose-driven communications is what we do. That’s more than just elevating brands—it’s about weaving together stories that are as warm, welcoming, and unique as the places and people they represent.

With deep experience across tourism, hospitality, and destination marketing, our team leverages both a global mindset and strong local experience to tailor communications solutions directly to business needs, providing meaningful, smartly crafted strategies that make an impact and create value.

Our work includes media relations, social media strategy, content creation, partnership marketing, brand development, thought leadership, copywriting, events, internal communications and strategic introductions.

THE ROLE:

The Account Director / Senior PR Manager, Malaysia will be the day-to-day lead for projects and campaigns in Malaysia.

This is a client-facing and highly hands-on role suited to someone who combines strong strategic thinking with excellent execution. You will lead client relationships, develop integrated communications strategies, oversee campaign delivery and use your knowledge of the media and influencer landscape in Malaysia to achieve meaningful results.

You will work closely with Upcycle’s leadership and regional team in Singapore, contributing to cross-market campaigns, new-business opportunities and the continued development of our presence in Malaysia.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Strategy and Account Leadership

• Lead day-to-day relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and senior point of contact.
• Develop and implement integrated communications strategies aligned with clients’ business and brand objectives.
• Provide strategic counsel, market insights and proactive recommendations to clients.
• Lead client meetings, presentations, planning sessions and campaign reviews.
• Maintain a clear understanding of account scope, deliverables, timelines, budgets and KPIs.
• Identify opportunities to deepen client relationships and expand the agency’s scope of work.

Campaign and Media Relations

• Lead the planning and execution of earned-media, influencer, content, event and partnership campaigns.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with key media, editors, journalists, influencers and industry stakeholders.
• Develop compelling media angles and secure meaningful, high-quality coverage for clients.
• Produce and review high-quality written materials, including communications strategies, press releases, pitches, messaging documents, briefing materials and reports.
• Ensure campaigns are locally relevant, culturally informed and aligned with Upcycle’s quality standards.
• Monitor the local media, consumer and cultural landscape to identify emerging trends and timely opportunities.

Team and Project Management

• Plan account workflows, allocate resources and ensure work is delivered accurately and on time.
• Provide clear briefs, guidance and quality control across all account activity.
• Manage and mentor junior team members, freelancers and local partners where applicable.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in Singapore on regional and cross-border accounts.
• Contribute to efficient account processes, reporting and performance measurement.

Market Development and New Business

• Represent Upcycle at relevant media, client and industry events in Malaysia.
• Build relationships with prospective clients, partners and industry stakeholders.
• Identify potential business opportunities aligned with Upcycle’s positioning in luxury, travel, hospitality, F&B and lifestyle.
• Contribute local market knowledge, strategic thinking and creative ideas to new-business proposals and pitches.
• Support the continued development of Upcycle’s presence and reputation in Malaysia.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• Approximately 7–10 years of public relations or integrated communications experience, ideally within an agency environment in Malaysia.
• Strong experience managing clients and campaigns independently.
• An established network of media, journalists, influencers and relevant industry contacts.
• Proven hands-on media-relations skills and a track record of delivering meaningful results.
• Experience working with hospitality, travel, luxury, lifestyle or F&B brands is strongly preferred.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with a willingness to remain closely involved in execution.
• Excellent written and spoken English, including strong business writing and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia and/or Mandarin would be an advantage.
• Experience managing or mentoring junior colleagues, freelancers or external partners.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of account scopes, budgets and resource requirements.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a regional team.

YOU ARE:

Resourceful: You anticipate challenges, take ownership and find practical solutions.

Relevant: You are curious, culturally aware and closely connected to Malaysia’s media, hospitality and lifestyle landscape.

Responsible: You are organised, dependable and attentive to quality, budgets and deadlines.

Relationship-driven: You build trusted, long-term relationships with clients, media and colleagues.

Collaborative: You communicate openly and work comfortably across markets and functions.

Hands-on: You are equally comfortable advising a senior client, developing a strategy and pitching a story to the media.

WHY JOIN US?

• Join a growing independent agency working with leading luxury, travel and hospitality brands.
• Take a senior role in shaping Upcycle’s work and presence in Malaysia.
• Work closely with an experienced regional leadership team.
• Enjoy flexible, remote working arrangements.
• Gain exposure to Malaysian and regional campaigns within a collaborative boutique-agency environment.
• Access opportunities for the role to grow as the Malaysian business expands.

HOW TO APPLY:

You may apply via LinkedIn, or you can send your resume, cover letter, writing samples and references to hello@upcyclecomms.com with the subject line “Account Director / Senior PR Manager, Malaysia - Your Name”.

Upcycle Communications is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.