Business Development Manager

📋 Description

• • The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the research and analysis division of The Economist Group, is seeking a dynamic and commercially driven Account Executive to spearhead new business growth within the ASEAN region from its Singapore base. This pivotal role is designed for a proactive sales professional who thrives on identifying opportunities, engaging with senior decision-makers, and managing the entire sales lifecycle from initial contact through to successful deal closure. You will be instrumental in expanding the EIU's reach by selling sophisticated research, intelligence, and data-led solutions to a diverse clientele, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government bodies, all of whom are navigating complex geopolitical, economic, and regulatory landscapes. This position offers significant exposure, substantial responsibility, and an excellent platform to cultivate deep expertise in the increasingly vital field of information and data-led selling.
• • As an Account Executive for ASEAN, you will operate as a 360° sales professional, taking full ownership of a defined territory to drive new business acquisition. Your primary focus will be on proactive prospecting and engaging in consultative sales processes with senior executives and stakeholders in data-adjacent functions. Success in this role hinges on a blend of commercial acumen, meticulous execution, and a confident approach to selling complex, insight-driven solutions into intricate organizational structures. You will be responsible for generating a robust sales pipeline through consistent, high-quality outbound activities, meticulously qualifying and advancing opportunities that often involve multiple stakeholders and extended sales cycles. A key aspect of your daily work will involve confidently interacting with senior business leaders and data/analytics teams, adeptly tailoring your communication to resonate with various buyer personas and their specific needs. You will leverage Salesforce and other modern sales enablement tools to manage your pipeline, forecast sales accurately, and drive deal progression with unwavering discipline. Building and nurturing trusted client relationships will be paramount, as will consistently meeting and exceeding ambitious revenue targets for your territory.
• • The Economist Group is a global organization dedicated to driving progress through independent, rigorous, and innovative analysis. Its four businesses – The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence, and Economist Education – collectively empower individuals and organizations worldwide to understand and navigate critical global challenges. The EIU, as the research and analysis arm, provides the essential insights, data, and analysis that enable governments, multinationals, and financial institutions to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving world. You will be joining a team that values intellectual curiosity, a commitment to excellence, and a collaborative spirit, all while working with a product suite that is highly respected and sought after in the market.
• • This role presents a unique opportunity for professional growth and development. Within the first six months, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the EIU's diverse offerings, including its in-depth research, intelligence reports, and cutting-edge data solutions. You will develop a strategic perspective on the ASEAN territory, identifying key accounts and target buyer personas. You will also demonstrate a disciplined approach to using Salesforce for accurate opportunity tracking and forecasting, and initiate consistent, high-quality outbound prospecting campaigns, utilizing sales engagement and AI tools to build an early pipeline. By the end of your first year, you will be consistently meeting or exceeding revenue targets, closing complex, consultative deals that showcase the full value of EIU's information and data products. You will establish yourself as a trusted commercial partner to your clients, maintain a predictable and well-covered pipeline with high CRM hygiene and forecasting accuracy, and contribute to territory strategy and sales best practices. This role is designed to offer visibility across the business and the scope to deepen your expertise in data-led selling, positioning you for broader responsibilities over time.
• • The successful candidate will be responsible for owning the full sales cycle within their designated ASEAN territory, from initial prospecting and lead generation through to closing deals and securing contracts. This involves a significant amount of proactive outreach, utilizing a combination of strategic research, networking, and targeted communication to identify and engage potential clients. You will need to effectively qualify leads, understanding their business challenges and how EIU's solutions can address them, and then nurture these opportunities through multiple stages, often involving complex stakeholder maps within client organizations. A critical part of the role is the consultative engagement with senior executives, business leaders, and data or analytics teams, requiring the ability to articulate complex value propositions in a clear and compelling manner, tailored to the specific needs and priorities of each prospect. Maintaining meticulous records in Salesforce is essential for pipeline management, forecasting accuracy, and demonstrating sales activity. This includes logging all interactions, updating opportunity stages, and providing realistic projections for deal closures. Furthermore, you will be expected to build strong, long-term relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and ensuring their ongoing satisfaction and success with EIU's products and services. This involves understanding their evolving needs and identifying opportunities for upselling or cross-selling additional solutions. The role also requires a commitment to continuous learning, staying abreast of market trends, competitive landscapes, and the latest developments in data and analytics to better serve clients and identify new business opportunities. Collaboration with internal teams, such as marketing and product development, may also be necessary to support sales efforts and provide market feedback. The ultimate goal is to drive significant new business revenue growth for the EIU within the dynamic ASEAN market, contributing directly to the company's overall success and strategic objectives.
• • The role demands a proactive, self-starter mentality, with the ability to operate autonomously across the diverse markets within the ASEAN region. You will be expected to manage your time effectively, prioritize tasks, and develop strategic account plans to maximize your territory's potential. This includes understanding the unique economic, political, and business environments of different countries within ASEAN and adapting your sales approach accordingly. Regular travel within the region will be necessary to meet with clients, attend industry events, and build your network. The ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote work with necessary office attendance, is also a key aspect of the working arrangements. You will be empowered to take ownership of your sales targets and develop innovative strategies to achieve them, with the support of a dedicated sales leadership team and access to world-class resources. This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for a driven sales professional looking to make a significant impact in a globally recognized organization.