Title:
Director, Operations
Managing Director, China
Location: Beijing, China
Business Unit: Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS)
Reports To: Sr. VP BD Sustainable Technology Solutions
Position Summary
The Managing Director, China is responsible for leading KBR's China operations, driving profitable growth, strengthening strategic customer relationships, developing local talent, and ensuring operational excellence across the country. As the senior KBR leader in China, the Managing Director serves as the face of the company with customers, partners, government stakeholders, industry organizations, and employees.
The role provides leadership for business development, technology licensing, engineering services, local partnerships, project execution support, talent management, regulatory compliance, and country governance. The Managing Director will develop and execute China growth strategies that align with KBR's global objectives while navigating the unique market, commercial, and regulatory environment of China.
Key Responsibilities
Business Growth & Market Leadership
- Develop and execute the China business strategy to drive revenue growth, profitability, and market expansion.
- Expand KBR's presence with state-owned enterprises, private industry, EPC contractors, technology customers, and strategic partners.
- Lead market positioning activities and strengthen KBR's brand and influence within the Chinese energy, petrochemical, sustainability, and technology sectors.
- Identify emerging market opportunities and establish strategic growth initiatives.
- Partner with global business leaders to align China growth priorities with KBR's broader strategy.
Customer & Partner Relationships
- Serve as executive sponsor for key customer relationships throughout China.
- Maintain and expand relationships with customer executives, EPC partners, licensors, regulators, and industry leaders.
- Support commercial negotiations and help remove barriers to successful deal execution.
- Guide local teams through complex commercial negotiations and contract discussions.
- Represent KBR at industry conferences, customer events, and strategic forums.
Business Development Leadership
- Lead and coach the China business development organization.
- Build a high-quality opportunity pipeline and ensure disciplined pursuit management.
- Drive strategic customer engagement plans and major opportunity capture efforts.
- Partner with global sales and technology teams to maximize cross-business opportunities.
- Ensure effective market intelligence and competitor analysis to strengthen KBR's position.
Operational & Commercial Leadership
- Maintain accountability for country performance, operational effectiveness, and business results.
- Ensure appropriate governance, risk management, and compliance across all China operations.
- Oversee local commercial, legal, HR, and operational activities.
- Support contract execution and work closely with global functional leaders on complex business matters.
- Drive continuous improvement, efficiency, and operational discipline throughout the organization.
People Leadership
- Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing China organization.
- Build succession plans and strengthen leadership capability throughout the country.
- Mentor managers and emerging leaders while fostering accountability and performance excellence.
- Champion KBR values, ethics, inclusion, collaboration, and employee engagement.
- Partner closely with Human Resources to attract, develop, and retain top talent
External Affairs & Government Relations
- Build and maintain effective relationships with key government agencies, industry associations, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Provide insight into political, regulatory, and economic developments affecting KBR's business interests in China.
- Ensure KBR maintains a positive reputation and strong standing within the local business community.
- Act as KBR's senior spokesperson and representative in China.
Leadership Expectations
The successful candidate will:
- Demonstrate executive presence and strong strategic thinking.
- Build credibility with senior customer executives and government stakeholders.
- Lead through influence across a highly matrixed global organization.
- Balance long-term strategy with near-term business delivery.
- Navigate complex business, cultural, and regulatory environments.
- Develop strong local talent and future leaders.
- Model KBR's values and commitment to ethical business practices
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Technology, or related field.
- Significant leadership experience within energy, chemicals, petrochemicals, technology licensing, EPC, engineering consulting, or related industries.
- Demonstrated success leading large commercial organizations and country operations.
- Strong understanding of the China market and business environment.
- Proven experience managing executive customer relationships and complex negotiations.
- Experience leading business development and growth strategies.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen.
- Fluent Mandarin and English communication skills preferred.
Preferred Experience
- Experience working with Chinese state-owned enterprises, EPC contractors, and industrial customers.
- Background in technology licensing, engineering services, chemicals, refining, petrochemicals, sustainability, or energy transition sectors.
- Experience managing cross-cultural teams within multinational organizations.
- Established network within China's industrial and energy markets.
Success Measures
The Managing Director, China will be evaluated on:
- Revenue growth and profitability.
- Strategic opportunity pipeline development.
- Customer retention and relationship strength.
- Market expansion and brand presence.
- Employee engagement and leadership development.
- Operational excellence and compliance.
- Successful execution of China growth strategy
