Senior Associate Director, Public Affairs

About the Role 
APCO Worldwide is seeking a seasoned and strategic Senior Associate Director, Public Affairs to lead complex, multi-market advisory work across Southeast Asia, with Singapore as the regional anchor. This role is designed for a professional who combines deep knowledge of Singapore's policy, regulatory, and corporate environment with a sophisticated understanding of ASEAN's 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 Senior Associate Director will drive integrated public affairs and strategic advisory mandates for clients across FMCG, health, technology, sustainability, defense, 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 the ASEAN region, ensuring Singapore serves as the operational and strategic hub for regional execution. 
• 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 Southeast Asia. 
• Collaborate across APCO's global offices to deliver cohesive cross-regional client programs. 
   

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 Singaporean and ASEAN policymakers, business leaders, think tanks, and industry associations. 
• Actively monitor and interpret emerging policy trends in Singapore 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 

• 10–15 years 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, defense, and emerging sectors. 
• Deep knowledge of Singapore's policy ecosystem and strong regional fluency in ASEAN political and economic affairs. 
• Demonstrated success in building and executing multi-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 required; proficiency in one or more regional languages (Bahasa, Thai, or Vietnamese) is an advantage. 

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.

APCO in Southeast Asia

The Future of Advisory Starts Here

The traditional consultancy model no longer works. Today's leaders need more than insights—they need intelligence, influence, innovation, and impact to navigate complexity.

At APCO, we create uncommon ground where business, policy, and technology converge to shape the future. Our Singapore hub is at the center of one of the world's most dynamic regions, redefining advisory in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Operating at the intersection of industries, policy, and technology, we provide:

• Geopolitical intelligence and risk advisory
• Issues-based campaigning and coalition-building
• Market entry and regulatory strategies
• Crisis response and reputation management
• Digital transformation and behavioral change strategies

From CEO transitions to shaping policy, we help organizations not just navigate but master complexity. Whether advising governments, corporations, or industry leaders, we are the partner they trust when the stakes are high, and the rules have yet to be written.

At APCO, we empower clients to make the decisions that matter—with a cutting-edge tech stack, top-tier talent, and a global reach that delivers results.