Manager - Business Development, APAC

Korn Ferry; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry is seeking a Manager of Business Development – APAC to lead a high-performing BDR team and shape regional growth strategy. You will drive outbound lead generation, align with sales and marketing, and scale processes across APAC to meet ambitious pipeline targets.

The role requires 7+ years in sales/BD with at least 2 years of people management in a SaaS or tech environment, plus strong analytical and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in sales, business development, or similar roles, incl. 2+ years people management in SaaS/tech.
• Proven success in driving pipeline growth and outbound strategies in sales-led orgs.
• Ability to mentor and lead high-performing teams in fast-paced environments.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret performance data and turn insights into action.
• Experience partnering with sales, marketing and operations to align strategy and execution.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across multiple regions.
• Experience handling international markets is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the APAC BDR team, setting expectations and coaching for performance.
• Design and execute regional BD strategies to increase outbound leads and pipeline quality.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing and operations to ensure consistent messaging and prioritized markets.
• Establish and track performance metrics to optimize activity and pipeline contribution.
• Recruit, onboard and develop talent to build a scalable team.
• Drive cross-region process consistency and share best practices with leadership.

Skills

People management

Pipeline development

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication

Regional & international experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing

MBA preferred

Job description

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business—synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us—for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.

Korn Ferry Digital is a scaled product business unit within Korn Ferry that develops and sells our suite of talent products and HR technology. The Korn Ferry Talent Suite enables organizations to align strategy and talent across the full workforce lifecycle. Rather than addressing talent challenges in silos, the platform connects insights across:

• Organizational Strategy
• Talent Acquisition
• Assessment and Succession
• Leadership and Professional Development
• Sales and Service Effectiveness
• Total Rewards

Our comprehensive Talent Suite leverages a combination of proprietary talent IP, talent data, analytics and insights to help customers understand their workforce and existing talent gaps and deliver targeted talent interventions at scale using HR technology.

Opportunity to enhance your career — This is a high-impact leadership role with the opportunity to shape business development strategy, build team capability, and drive pipeline growth across APAC.

As the Manager of Business Development – APAC, you will lead a high-performing team of Business Development Representatives that strengthen pipeline creation and support revenue growth for Korn Ferry Digital. Success in this role will require strong cross-functional partnership, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to scale a consistent outbound approach across multiple regions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and develop the BDR team across APAC, setting clear expectations, coaching for performance, and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Design and execute regional business development strategies that increase outbound lead generation, improve pipeline quality, and align with Korn Ferry Digital’s growth priorities.
• Partner closely with sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure consistent messaging, effective campaign execution, and strong alignment on target markets and priorities.
• Establish and track performance metrics, using data and insights to optimize team activity, improve conversion, and ensure the team meets or exceeds pipeline contribution targets.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop high-caliber talent, creating a scalable team structure and capability that supports long-term growth.
• Drive process consistency across regions by implementing effective ways of working, sharing best practices, and partnering with leadership to strengthen execution at scale.

Professional Experience and Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in sales, business development, sales development, or inside sales, including at least 2 years of people management experience in a high-growth SaaS or technology environment.
• Proven success in driving pipeline growth and building outbound strategies in complex, sales-led organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret performance data, identify trends, and turn insights into action.
• Experience working cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and operations teams to align strategy and execution.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate strategy, influence decision-making, and motivate teams toward ambitious goals.
• Experience managing across multiple regions or adapting strategies for international markets is a strong advantage.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.