Business Development Director

LION Digital; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital agency in Malaysia is seeking a Business Development Director to spearhead growth initiatives and manage client relationships. The role demands 10-15 years of experience in business development with a strong track record of closing high-value engagements. Ideal candidates will possess strategic thinking capabilities and strong financial acumen to engage senior stakeholders effectively. The position involves developing go-to-market strategies, leading pitch negotiations, and delivering revenue targets across diverse sectors like fintech and FMCG.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years in business development or commercial leadership roles.
• Proven track record in closing mid- to large-value deals.
• Strong understanding of Malaysia and Southeast Asia markets.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver new business revenue targets for Malaysia.
• Identify and close strategic new business opportunities.
• Develop and execute go-to-market strategies.
• Lead pitch strategy and commercial negotiations.
• Build and maintain senior client relationships.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Job description

Lion & Lion is seeking a Business Development Director to lead new business growth and commercial expansion in Malaysia. This role is responsible for originating, structuring, and closing high‑quality, commercially viable opportunities across brand‑direct and agency‑led engagements. The position requires strong commercial judgment, strategic thinking, and the ability to balance growth ambition with delivery and margin discipline.

Key Responsibilities

New Business & Revenue Growth

• Own and deliver new business revenue targets for Malaysia, aligned with annual growth and margin objectives.
• Identify, qualify, and close strategic new business opportunities across priority sectors (e.g. fintech, telco, aviation, FMCG, regional challenger brands).
• Drive a balanced mix of brand‑direct and agency‑led opportunities.

Go-to-Market & Commercial Strategy

• Develop and execute go‑to‑market strategies for priority sectors in collaboration with Strategy, Media, Creative, and Client Services teams.
• Shape integrated commercial propositions that align client objectives with Lion & Lion’s delivery capabilities.
• Ensure opportunities are commercially sound, with clear scope, resourcing assumptions, and budget clarity.

Pitch Leadership & Commercial Negotiation

• Lead or co‑lead pitch strategy, proposal development, scoping, and pricing discussions.
• Own commercial negotiations, ensuring pricing discipline and sustainable margins.
• Avoid unsustainable discounting and misaligned commitments.

Client Expansion & Retention Support

• Partner with Client Services to identify and close strategic upsell and account expansion opportunities.
• Build and maintain senior client relationships with key decision‑makers.
• Support retention through commercial leadership and consistent client confidence.

Cross‑Functional & Regional Collaboration

• Work closely with regional counterparts and network teams where relevant.
• Act as a commercial bridge between business ambition and operational delivery.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 10–15+ years of experience in business development, commercial leadership, or consulting roles within agency, digital, media, or integrated marketing environments.
• Demonstrated track record in closing mid‑to large‑value retainers and project‑based engagements.
• Experience selling integrated solutions across media, creative, social, and strategy.
• Strong understanding of the Malaysia and Southeast Asia markets.

Capabilities

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with proven negotiation skills.
• Comfortable engaging senior client stakeholders, including C‑suite and regional leads.
• Strategic thinker with practical execution awareness.
• Structured, accountable, and credible in both internal and external engagements.