Business Development Manager Greater China

ABRSM; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global music education charity is seeking a Business Development Manager focused on the Greater China region. The ideal candidate will drive business growth through strategic leadership, cultivating relationships, and implementing innovative sales strategies. This role requires a strong background in sales, team management, and market analysis. Competitive salary with opportunities for regional travel and involvement in community initiatives. Applications are encouraged from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Opportunities for professional development

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in business development and sales.
• Strong skills in strategic leadership and team development.
• Proficiency in market analysis and expansion strategies.

Responsibilities

• Drive business development across Greater China.
• Lead and manage a team of Regional Development Executives.
• Develop and implement innovative sales strategies.

Skills

Business development

Sales strategy

Market analysis

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Business or related field

Experience in sales or business development

Job description

ABRSM is The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and a global music education charity. At the heart of everything we do is our belief that music enriches lives. Building on our heritage, we offer face-to-face and digital exams, sheet music, recordings, apps and courses for students and teachers across the world.

In partnership with four Royal Schools of Music, we carry on a long legacy of musical excellence. More than an awarding organisation, we support learners from the first note they play, and empower teachers who help build musical skills and encourage progress around the world.

As a charity, we use all of the surpluses we generate to make significant donations towards music education initiatives and to develop our support for learners and teachers around the world. We advocate for music and its many forms, playing our part to ensure the future of music education and its place in society.

Together with our partners, our teachers and others around the world, we’ve been nurturing the future of music since 1889—to help people start or continue their journey.

Job purpose

• To drive business development across Greater China, ensuring the achievement of agreed targets for exam entries, publication sales, and digital product adoption
• To set up and manage an authorised agent network in Mainland China.
• To lead and support Regional Development Executive (RDE) based in Hong Kong.
• To cultivate and strengthen key business relationships across East Asia.
• To contribute to the expansion into new markets and the development of innovative products and services.
• To provide ABRSM management with actionable market intelligence that may significantly impact sales performance in the region.

Job context and scope

The Business Development Department plays a pivotal role in revenue growth, customer strategy formulation, cross-functional product development, stakeholder and customer engagement, and the execution of global sales and marketing initiatives.

Organisation

See separate organisation chart.

Principal duties and responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Regional Development Executive(s), fostering a high-performance sales culture.
• Drive professional growth through structured coaching, training, and succession planning.

2. Sales Strategy & Performance Optimisation

• Develop and implement innovative sales strategies to overcome market challenges, including leveraging technology to enhance efficiency.
• Continuously refine sales processes, challenge existing work practices, and introduce new methodologies to maximise team productivity.

3. Design, establish and grow a high‑performing agent network, including identifying, recruiting and onboarding new agents in line with company standards and market strategy.

• Implement clear performance, conduct and compliance standards for all agents, ensuring contracts, training and supervision minimise the risk of mis‑selling, fraud or reputational damage.
• Monitor agent performance and behaviours through regular reviews, audits and field visits, taking timely corrective action, including retraining, suspension or termination where required.
• Work closely with existing regional representatives and other field staff to coordinate territory coverage, avoid channel conflict and ensure consistent messaging and practice across all agents.
• Develop and maintain robust reporting, escalation and whistleblowing routes so concerns about agent behaviour are identified early and dealt with promptly.

4. Revenue Growth & Business Expansion

• Own Greater China‘s sales and income targets across exams, publications, sponsorships, and other revenue streams.
• Drive revenue growth by optimising existing accounts and expanding into new customer segments, proactively identifying and executing high-impact strategies.
• Act with a high degree of autonomy, leveraging deep market intelligence to inform decision-making and ensure sustained business success.

5. Sales Forecasting & Pricing Strategy

• Play a key role in shaping annual sales forecasts and revenue targets for Greater China, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Lead the development of annual pricing strategies, balancing market competitiveness with profitability.

6. Market Expansion & Commercial Strategy

• Conduct in-depth commercial evaluations of new market opportunities, influencing strategic product launches in emerging markets.
• Leverage deep product knowledge to contribute meaningfully to business case development at all stages.

7. Financial & Operational Oversight

• Manage Greater China’s sales operating budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and ROI-driven decision-making.
• Implement financial controls and performance metrics to optimise cost-effectiveness and revenue impact.

8. Market Coverage & Customer Engagement

• Ensure full market coverage across all geographical areas and customer segments, optimising resource deployment.
• Establish and maintain high-value relationships with key clients, industry stakeholders, and strategic partners.

9. Data-Driven Decision Making

• Utilise advanced analytics and data visualisation to inform sales strategies and executive reporting.
• Present well-structured, insight-driven reports tailored for senior leadership and stakeholders.

10. Regional Travel & Market Presence

• Represent the business across the Greater China region, engaging in strategic business development initiatives and high-level client interactions.

Nature and purpose of internal and external contacts

Internal

• Business Development Director in relation to developing pricing strategy, sales budgets, forecasts, phasing and performance
• Members of the Global Business Development team to ensure effective communication and collaboration as well as sharing expertise and skills, troubleshooting and providing mutual support as required
• Colleagues within Product Development and their teams in relation to product forecasting, developing and agreeing sales and marketing plans, feeding into collective problem solving related to specific projects and work
• The Insight team to ensure that the necessary data and research is available to understand customer needs
• Regional Development Executives and Publications Sales Manager, in relation to ongoing work, setting objectives and monitoring progress
• Finance in relation to forecasting and budgeting etc.
• SLT and members of the Corporate Management Group as required in relation to advising on commercial matters
• All other ABRSM colleagues as required

External

• Any key customer (existing and potential), by phone, email, events and meetings in the Greater China in relation to business development or resolving issues which fall outside of agreed policy

Remit of role

• Responsible for the relevant income and expenditure budget(s)
• Spending decisions within authorisation limits
• Managing and leading the regional consultants
• Resolving relationship issues without escalation, to a maximum financial impact of £3,000

Typical problems escalated to line manager

• Significant relationship issues with customers (trade or end-user) which have the potential financial impact of over £3,000
• Budget overspend
• Difficulties delivering on agreed objectives
• Complex relationship issues with colleagues within or outside the department

Nature and range of impact

Greater China is a significant market for ABRSM and this role will ensure we have the right research and focus on opportunities.

Allocation, review and approval of work

The job holder is responsible for planning and prioritising their own activities in order to meet their responsibilities and the department goals as agreed with the Business Development Director against objectives and competencies is assessed throughout the year by the Business Development Director in accordance with ABRSM’s performance management cycle.

Equipment operation

Standard office equipment.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and your suitability for the position. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.