Business Development (BD) - Manager (Based in KL)

Think City; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Think City in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a Business Development Manager (KL based) to drive strategic growth and client advocacy across urban impact initiatives. You will coordinate across units to craft proposals, translate insights into compelling narratives, and manage the business development pipeline to ensure timely, high‑quality submissions.

You will lead cross‑functional collaboration with COPs and Project Teams, align client needs with organisational missions, and support expanding

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business management, communications, marketing, strategy, design or related urban field.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in conceptualisation, proposal development, marketing and communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint) and strong design skills (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) with fluency in English and BM.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end‑to‑end development of proposals by coordinating inputs from various Community of Practice and Project Team.
• Craft compelling narratives that link commercial objectives with measurable social and environmental impact.
• Manage the BD pipeline to ensure deadlines are met and submissions are of the highest professional standard.
• Bridge the gap between Business Enabler units and Communities of Practice to ensure a unified approach to project delivery.

Skills

English writing

BM writing

Strategic communication

Client liaison

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business management, communications, marketing, strategy, design or related urban field

Tools

PowerPoint

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

InDesign

Job description

Business Development (BD) - Manager (Based in KL)

Proactive and entrepreneurial BD Manager who possesses a strong drive for results and is eager to learn. Ideally, with a background in Business Development, Marketing, and Communication to bring experience in the urban and impact sector.

Responsible for supporting the Business Development of the organisation by working across different units in Business Enablers and Communities of Practice (COP). The work involves client liaison and advocacy through proposal development and strategic deep diving.

In this role, the incumbent will ensure that every commercial opportunity is directly linked to our mission of creating positive urban impact and optimise profitability. By streamlining implementation and aligning with client needs, we turn strategic plans into tangible results that improve the cities we serve.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Growth and Client Advocacy

• Support the Director in identifying and securing high value opportunities that align with the long‑term mission of the organisation.
• Act as a primary point of contact for potential partners to ensure their needs are translated into scoping exercise.
• Conduct deep dive research into emerging urban trends and market needs to position the organisation as a thought leader.
• Translate those findings through communication collaterals (Concept paper, proposals, PowerPoint ppt etc) and productisation with the COPs.

1. Strategic Growth and Client Advocacy

• Support the Director in identifying and securing high value opportunities that align with the long‑term mission of the organisation.
• Act as a primary point of contact for potential partners to ensure their needs are translated into scoping exercise.
• Conduct deep dive research into emerging urban trends and market needs to position the organisation as a thought leader.
• Translate those findings through communication collaterals (Concept paper, proposals, PowerPoint ppt etc) and productisation with the COPs.

2. Proposal Development and Management

• Lead the end‑to‑end development of proposals by coordinating inputs from various Community of Practice and Project Team.
• Craft compelling narratives that link commercial objectives with measurable social and environmental impact.
• Manage the business development pipeline to ensure all deadlines are met and submissions are of the highest professional standard.

3. Cross Functional Coordination

• Bridge the gap between Business Enabler units and the various Communities of Practice to ensure a unified approach to project delivery.
• Streamline communication between the business development team and project managers to ensure a smooth transition from win to implementation.
• Maintain a database of past projects and case studies to demonstrate the proven impact of our work to future clients.

4. Reporting and Monitoring

• Monitor the early stages of project implementation to ensure the original vision and client expectations are being met.
• Act as the guardian of the project brief by ensuring that implementation remains focused on creating positive urban change.

5. Support the Director on any other work that is relevant to the practice that help drive the organisation goals.

Requirements & Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business management, communications, marketing, strategy, design or related urban field.

2. Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with specific exposure to conceptualisation, proposal development, marketing and communication.

• Microsoft office (PowerPoint or equivalent).
• Designing skills (Adobe photoshop, illustrator, and InDesign or equivalent).
• Able to write and narrate in English and BM.

4. Must be willing to travel to where the projects and client offices as required.

Personal Attributes

1. Intellectual and Emotional Agility

Possess a balance of high IQ and EQ, allowing you to master complex human dynamic and technical understanding of urban impact work. Can leverage on data driven insights and human behaviour as you are with building deep trust with partners.

2. Strategic Storytelling

A master storyteller who can narrate a vision with clarity and conviction. Do not just present facts; you craft compelling narratives that translate abstract urban concepts into tangible opportunities for impact.

3. Executive Presence and Articulation

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the natural confidence required to engage and influence senior stakeholders and city leaders. Can simplify the complex without losing the depth, ensuring our mission is understood at every level of leadership.

Operate with a high degree of autonomy and a sense of ownership over your work. Do not wait for instructions; you identify gaps, propose solutions, and relentlessly pursue results that contribute to the growth of the organisation.

Established in 2009, we are an impact organisation delivering on urban policy advisory, urban projects and venture building with the sustainable development goals as our guide.