Business Development Manager (KOL & Brand Partnerships)

The Branding Journal; Kuala Lumpur; Hybrid; MYR 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Branding People in Malaysia is seeking a commercially minded Business Development Manager (Sponsorships & Brand Partnerships) to grow our network of KOLs and brands across Southeast Asia. You will identify sponsorship opportunities, negotiate terms, and coordinate partnership activations with internal teams.

This role rewards networking, deal-making, and end-to-end delivery of partnerships, from outreach to execution.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sponsorships, KOL/talent management, or partnerships.
• Strong negotiation, communication and networking skills.
• Commercial mindset with ability to manage multiple partnerships.
• Willingness to travel and attend events.

Responsibilities

• Manage KOL and talent relationships with onboarding and onboarding.
• Source sponsorship and collaboration opportunities through outreach and market research.
• Negotiate and close deals with talents and brands.
• Coordinate partnership activations with internal stakeholders.
• Monitor trends and opportunities in social media and creator space.
• Report on partnership performance and provide updates to management.

Skills

Sponsorships

KOL management

Event partnerships

Business development

Sales

Networking

Negotiation

Travel

English

Mandarin

Tools

AI tools

Content editing

Job description

We're The Branding People, a Malaysia-based digital marketing agency serving brands across Southeast Asia. We turn insights into strategy, strategy into creative work, and creative work into measurable impact.

We're looking for a commercially minded Business Development Manager (Sponsorships & Brand Partnerships) to grow our network of KOLs and talent, identify sponsorship and collaboration opportunities, and turn promising connections into successful partnerships.

You'll manage relationships with existing and prospective talents, explore opportunities with brands and event organisers, negotiate commercial terms, and coordinate partnership activations with internal stakeholders. This role suits someone who enjoys networking, spotting opportunities, negotiating deals and seeing projects through to completion.

What You'll Be Crafting

• Manage KOL and talent relationships: Maintain strong relationships with existing talents while scouting and onboarding new KOLs and creators aligned with business needs.
• Source sponsorship and collaboration opportunities: Identify relevant events, brands, partnerships and commercial opportunities through proactive outreach, networking and market research.
• Negotiate and close deals: Lead discussions with talents, brands and potential partners, negotiate terms and follow through to confirmed agreements.
• Coordinate partnership activations: Work with internal stakeholders to plan and execute sponsorships, collaborations and event-related activities.
• Monitor trends and opportunities: Keep up with social media trends, creator activity, industry developments and potential partnership opportunities.
• Report on performance: Track partnership progress, deal outcomes and relevant performance metrics, and provide updates to management and internal teams.

Your Superpowers

• Proven experience in sponsorships, KOL/talent management, event partnerships, business development, sales or a related field, with a portfolio showcasing relevant events, sponsorships, collaborations or partnership projects.
• Strong communication, negotiation, networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to identify opportunities, close deals and maintain long-term partnerships.
• Commercially minded and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate activations and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Good command of spoken and written English and Mandarin, with a strong interest in social media trends, KOLs and creator marketing.
• Willingness to travel and attend events or external meetings when required.
• Experience working with event or talent agencies, roadshows, event promotions, insurance or property sales, or an established network of KOLs, creators, brands and event partners will be an advantage.
• Familiarity with social media planning, AI tools, content editing or managing multiple events and partnerships for established brands will be an added advantage.

What You'll Get Here

• Freedom to Work from Anywhere
  Remote flexibility that empowers deep work and creative flow.
• Upskilling That Actually Changes You
  Workshops, coaching, and exposure to brands across SEA with real learning and real growth.
• Lucrative Pay That Reflects Value
  Competitive salary packages designed to reward excellence, not just attendance.
• Health & Wellness Support
  Benefits that keep your mind sharp and your energy sustainable.
• People Who Want You to Win
  A driven team that collaborates, questions, builds - and celebrates progress.
• Plus More - Because We're Still Growing
  We refine, improve, and innovate constantly. You grow as we grow.