Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Thermal Energy

A leading energy company in Southeast Asia is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to oversee its extensive thermal energy portfolio.

Chief Operating Officer – Thermal Energy

Open to candiates across Energy, Electricity, Oil & Gas, General Petro Chemical.

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Jakarta

Keywords: thermal power generation, plant operations leadership, asset optimisation, safety culture, energy transition, stakeholder management, regional expansion, commercial value, operational excellence, multidisciplinary teams

A leading energy company in Southeast Asia is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to oversee its extensive thermal energy portfolio. This plant-based leadership role offers you the opportunity to shape the future of thermal power generation, driving operational excellence and commercial success across multiple countries. You will be at the forefront of transforming and optimising assets, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient performance while championing sustainability initiatives. The organisation is committed to expanding its footprint throughout the region, providing you with a platform to influence large-scale operations and support energy transition efforts. With full P&L accountability and responsibility for multidisciplinary teams, this position promises both challenge and reward for those who bring deep technical expertise and strategic vision.

• Take charge of end-to-end operations for a major thermal energy portfolio spanning Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, with direct impact on regional growth and transformation.
• Enjoy a plant-based leadership role where your technical knowledge and business acumen will drive asset optimisation, safety culture, and operational discipline across multiple sites.
• Benefit from working within an organisation that values continuous improvement, sustainability initiatives, and strong stakeholder engagement with government authorities and regulators.

What you'll do:

As Chief Operating Officer – Thermal Energy, you will play a pivotal role in managing complex plant operations across Southeast Asia. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve overseeing the performance of multiple thermal power plants while ensuring compliance with stringent safety protocols and environmental standards. You will collaborate closely with government bodies and regulators to maintain positive stakeholder relationships. By developing forward-thinking strategies aligned with organisational objectives, you will drive asset optimisation projects that improve efficiency and profitability. Leading multidisciplinary teams across engineering, maintenance, operations, and commercial functions will be central to your success. You will also support regional expansion efforts by integrating new assets seamlessly into existing operations. Your commitment to fostering a strong safety culture will underpin every aspect of your work as you identify opportunities for energy transition and sustainability improvements.

• Oversee daily operations of multiple thermal power plants to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and efficiency across all facilities.
• Hold full P&L responsibility by driving profitability, cost optimisation, and operational excellence throughout the portfolio.
• Develop and execute operational and business strategies that align with the organisation’s objectives for transformation and regional expansion.
• Ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements, environmental standards, and safety protocols at every site under your remit.
• Act as the primary interface with government authorities, regulators, and key external stakeholders to foster positive relationships and ensure smooth operations.
• Drive asset optimisation through lifecycle management and performance improvement initiatives that enhance value creation.
• Lead large multidisciplinary teams encompassing operations, engineering, maintenance, and commercial functions to achieve shared goals.
• Support expansion efforts by integrating new assets into regional operations in Southeast Asia while maintaining high standards of performance.
• Champion a robust safety culture and operational discipline across all plant sites to protect people and assets.
• Identify opportunities for energy transition, efficiency improvements, and sustainability initiatives that contribute to long-term transformation.

What you bring:

To excel as Chief Operating Officer – Thermal Energy, you will bring a wealth of proven experience from the energy sector or related industries such as oil & gas or petrochemicals. Your educational background in engineering provides a solid foundation for understanding complex plant operations while an advanced business qualification enhances your strategic capabilities. You have successfully managed large-scale assets independently with full P&L accountability. Your interpersonal skills allow you to build trustful relationships with regulators and government authorities while influencing key stakeholders. You are adept at leading multidisciplinary teams through periods of change by nurturing collaboration and supporting professional development. Your deep technical knowledge is complemented by commercial insight which enables you to identify opportunities for asset optimisation. Experience in Southeast Asia markets further strengthens your suitability for this role as you understand local nuances in regulation and business practices. Above all else, your commitment to operational discipline ensures safe environments where continuous improvement thrives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical or related discipline) is required for this senior leadership role.
• MBA or EMBA or equivalent business qualification is highly preferred to complement your technical background.
• Minimum 20+ years of experience within Energy, Power Generation, Oil & Gas or Petrochemical industries is essential for success.
• Proven track record in plant operations leadership ideally within thermal power generation or large-scale industrial facilities is expected.
• Strong experience managing P&L responsibilities independently while operating large complex assets is crucial.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with regulators, government bodies, and key external stakeholders is necessary.
• Deep technical expertise combined with strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking sets you apart from other candidates.
• Experience working in Southeast Asia markets is considered an advantage for this role.
• Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to manage large teams across cross-functional operations is vital.
• Strategic mindset coupled with ownership mentality enables you to drive performance transformation and continuous improvement.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent energy companies with a dominant presence in thermal power generation. Its commitment to optimising existing assets while expanding regionally demonstrates a forward-looking approach that embraces both tradition and innovation. Employees benefit from working within a supportive network where collaboration between diverse teams drives collective achievement. The company places high value on safety culture—ensuring every team member feels responsible for maintaining secure workplaces—and encourages ongoing professional development through training opportunities tailored to individual needs. Sustainability initiatives are integral to its mission; employees are empowered to contribute ideas that shape the future of energy transition within the region. The organisation’s inclusive environment welcomes talent from under-represented backgrounds while offering flexible working opportunities wherever possible. By joining this team, you become part of a community dedicated not only to operational excellence but also to making a positive impact on society through responsible energy production.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on a transformative leadership role in thermal energy operations across Southeast Asia, this opportunity awaits your application!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.