Senior Associate Director, Public Affairs

About the Role 

APCO Worldwide is seeking a seasoned and strategic Associate Director, Public Affairs to lead complex, advisory work in Indonesia, working closely with Singapore as the regional anchor. This role is designed for a professional who combines deep knowledge of Indonesia’s policy, regulatory, and corporate environment with a sophisticated understanding of its political and economic landscape. 
 
APCO operates on a stakes-first, issues-driven model—bringing together intelligence, advocacy, communications, and strategy to help clients navigate risk, shape policy environments, and influence outcomes that matter. 
 
The Associate Director will drive integrated public affairs and strategic advisory mandates for clients across FMCG, health, technology, sustainability and other fast-evolving sectors. The ideal candidate will have a cross-sector worldview, an instinct for identifying power dynamics, and the ability to translate complexity into strategy. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Strategic Leadership 
  • Lead multi-market advisory programs across Indonesia, ensuring operational and strategic work steams are aligned with Singapore as the regional anchor. 
  • Diagnose and interpret political, regulatory, and societal dynamics to craft forward-looking strategies and issue campaigns. 
  • Advise C-suite executives on market access, policy shifts, and reputation positioning in highly regulated and politically sensitive environments. 
  • Integrate intelligence, communications, and policy insights to deliver unified, high-impact solutions for clients facing complex challenges. 
• Client and Business Growth 
  • Manage key anchor accounts across multiple markets, ensuring strategic alignment and delivery excellence. 
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities with both multinational and regional clients, particularly those navigating geopolitical or regulatory transition. 
  • Build APCO’s reputation as the trusted strategic advisor for organizations seeking to expand, protect, or influence their license to operate in Indonesia and Southeast Asia as a whole. 
  • Collaborate across APCO’s global offices to deliver cohesive cross-regional client programs. 
  • Originate and develop strategic frameworks and plans that establishes a blueprint for how the team can work together to advance client’s business objectives.  
• Market Influence and Thought Leadership 
  • Position APCO as a thought leader within the region’s public affairs and policy ecosystem through industry commentary, roundtables, and high-level partnerships. 
  • Build relationships with key Indonesian policymakers, business leaders, think tanks, and industry associations. 
  • Actively monitor and interpret emerging policy trends in Indonesia and neighboring markets, advising clients on strategic implications. 
• Team and Capability Development 
  • Lead, mentor, and inspire multi-market teams to deliver integrated solutions rooted in insight and consequence. 
  • Foster a culture of curiosity, analytical rigor, and high-performance execution across public affairs, policy, and communications disciplines. 
  • Support APCO’s transformation into a unified regional advisory hub, championing collaboration and knowledge-sharing across markets. 

Qualifications and Experience 

• Minimum 10 of professional experience in public affairs, government relations, policy strategy, or strategic communications, ideally in a consulting, corporate, or institutional context. 
• Proven ability to operate across multiple industries—technology, health, FMCG, sustainability and emerging sectors. 
• Deep knowledge of Indonesia’s policy ecosystem and strong fluency in political and economic affairs. 
• Demonstrated success in building and executing in-market public affairs and reputation strategies. 
• Strong communication, analytical, and leadership skills; adept at navigating senior client relationships and high-stakes issues. 
• Regional experience managing teams and projects across diverse markets and regulatory environments. 
• Fluency in English and Bahasa are required. 

Why Join APCO 

APCO is transforming how public affairs is practiced in Asia—from discipline-based consultancy to integrated strategic advisory. 
 
Here, you’ll work at the intersection of policy, business, and reputation—advising leaders and organizations navigating the most consequential shifts of our time. You’ll join a team that prizes intellectual depth, strategic clarity, and a relentless focus on impact. 
 
Being in close partnership with APCO’s Singapore hub, enabling you to connects the dots across regional intelligence, global counsel, and local execution—offering a platform to influence policy, shape narratives, and deliver real-world results. 

Careers at APCO   

Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams to bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.