Manager, China

ASSOCIATION FOR MATERIALS PROTECTION AND PERFORMANCE • Houston, TX

23h • Remote

About The Position

The Manager, China Area is AMPP’s primary regional leader for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The role translates global strategy into local growth plans, builds high-level stakeholder relationships, and expands AMPP’s presence, influence, and business impact. Responsibilities span market development, government and industry engagement, standards advancement, education and certification growth, membership development, regional operations, and local compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, materials science, international relations, public administration, or related field required
• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in area management, business development, association management, strategic partnerships, government/industry relations, or comparable leadership roles.
• Proven experience developing and executing market growth plans, managing budgets/forecasts, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English (written and spoken) required.
• Must interpret business, technical, legal, regulatory, and policy materials; prepare clear reports and correspondence; and present effectively to executives, partners, government agencies, and the public.
• Strategic leadership and business acumen; ability to convert market insight into focused plans and execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, diplomacy, presentation, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• People leadership: set priorities, provide direction, develop talent, and build accountable teams.
• Strong project and portfolio management across multiple priorities, partners, and stakeholders.
• High integrity and sound judgment on regulatory, financial, reputational, and confidential matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and ability to learn association systems.
• Ability to prepare and interpret budgets, forecasts, business cases, and performance reports; use quantitative analysis to support decisions.
• Valid passport and ability to obtain required visas are required.

Nice To Haves

• advanced degree preferred
• Experience with government agencies, SOEs, industry associations, academia, and multinational stakeholders in China highly desirable.
• Knowledge of corrosion, coatings, materials protection, asset integrity, standards, education, or certification programs beneficial.
• Experience in energy, oil & gas, pipelines, offshore, marine/shipbuilding, infrastructure, transportation, manufacturing, or water/wastewater highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the annual strategy, business plan, growth targets, and operating roadmap for the China Area, aligned with organizational priorities.
• Identify and pursue market opportunities in priority sectors (oil & gas, pipelines, offshore wind, maritime, infrastructure, manufacturing, corrosion protection) to expand reach and achieve revenue goals.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with government agencies, regulators, SOEs, corporations, associations, academia, members, and chapters.
• Lead strategic partnerships and joint initiatives that advance AMPP’s mission and create sustainable growth pathways.
• Represent AMPP at conferences, technical forums, exhibitions, and official engagements as the primary external contact.
• Monitor market trends, policy, regulations, and competitors; provide timely intelligence and recommendations to global leadership.
• Advance local adoption and development of AMPP standards through outreach, partnerships, and Chinese expert participation.
• Drive growth in education, certification, corporate engagement, and membership by building demand, partner capability, and instructor networks.
• Oversee authorized training/certification partners (performance, quality, compliance, and issue resolution).
• Plan and deliver AMPP-branded events, workshops, and exhibitions with local partners.
• Lead localized marketing and communications, including the official WeChat account and other approved channels.
• Collaborate across AMPP functions (Education, Certification, Membership, Standards, Marketing, Finance, Legal, HR, etc.) to deliver China priorities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Chinese laws and regulatory requirements for representative offices and related activities.
• Manage the China Area budget, forecasts, local financial operations, and performance reporting.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for revenue, market development, partnerships, programs, membership, and operations; report outcomes and risks to senior leadership.
• Lead local workforce planning and people management (recruitment, development, performance, retention) in line with AMPP guidelines and China labor requirements.
• Lead special projects and strategic initiatives assigned by senior leadership.
• Manages’ direct reports, temporary staff, contractors, and service providers as assigned. Includes workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, work direction, performance management, development, and corrective action in coordination with HR and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity in employment
• Professional workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment
• Reasonable accommodation for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities is provided in accordance with applicable law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager