Regional Sales Director APAC

Nettitude Group; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 1,020,000 - 1,633,000; Full time

Job summary

LRQA is seeking an APAC Sales Director based in Kuala Lumpur to lead and grow the Certification, Inspection and Training business across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond. You will drive double-digit growth, build a high-performing regional team of 70–80 people, and partner with global leaders to shape strategy and client delivery.

The role requires deep TIC sector knowledge, executive-level influence, and a track record in strategic selling within multi-market environments.

Qualifications

• Substantial, recent TIC sector experience essential.
• Record of delivering sales targets exceeding USD 80 million.
• Minimum 10 years of senior commercial leadership, with international exposure.
• Experience leading a regional sales organisation of 70–80 people.
• Fluency in English; additional regional languages advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own and exceed USD 80 million regional sales target across TIC units in APAC.
• Lead regional sales org of 70–80 people via eight Regional Directors.
• Identify cross-sell opportunities across Advisory, Sustainability, and Cyber.
• Develop penetration strategies and robust regional account plans.
• Represent LRQA with strategic clients and partners; expand markets.
• Collaborate with Marketing, HR, Finance, and service lines to align priorities.
• Contribute to major bids and maintain pipeline visibility and KPIs.
• Ensure governance and apply CRM and enablement tools.

Skills

TIC sector expertise

Senior commercial leadership

APAC market knowledge

Strategic selling

People and performance management

Executive influence

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Relevant degree

Tools

MS Dynamics CRM

Job description

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Job ID:44563 Location:LRQA - Kuala Lumpur - Naza Tower Position Category:Business Development Position Type:Employee Regular

Job Overview

The APAC Sales Director is a member of both the APAC Leadership Team and the Commercial Leadership Team. The role is accountable for delivering double-digit annual sales growth across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Leading the region’s Certification, Inspection, and Training business, the Sales Director will also directly support growth across Advisory, Sustainability, and Cyber Assurance. The role carries responsibility for a sales target exceeding USD 80 million and a regional organisation of approximately 70–80 people, led through eight Regional Sales Directors.

Operating within LRQA’s matrix commercial structure, the Sales Director will partner closely with the Group Sales Director, Marketing, and Solution Leaders to maintain margin discipline, operational effectiveness, and a consistent, high-quality client experience. The successful candidate will combine strong technical and commercial knowledge of the TIC sector with recognised credibility across APAC markets. They will be equally comfortable setting regional strategy, leading client engagements, expanding existing accounts, and driving new client acquisition through disciplined outbound prospecting and LRQA’s established sales processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Regional sales performance: Own and deliver a sales target exceeding USD 80 million across Certification, Inspection, and Training in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Leadership and talent development: Lead a regional sales organisation of approximately 70–80 people through eight Regional Sales Directors. Address underperformance proactively, strengthen succession plans, and foster an inclusive, high-performance culture.
• Growth and cross-selling: Accelerate growth across Advisory, Sustainability, and Cyber Assurance by identifying cross-sell opportunities within the existing TIC client base and coordinating go‑to‑market activity with service‑line leaders.
• Strategic accounts and pipeline: Develop penetration strategies and robust account plans for target and growth accounts. Build a sustainable pipeline with colleagues across business units and hold regional teams accountable for delivery.
• Client and market leadership: Serve as the senior commercial voice and ambassador for One LRQA across APAC. Represent LRQA with strategic clients, channel partners, and industry bodies, while supporting expansion into new markets and service lines.
• Cross‑functional collaboration: Partner with Regional Business Directors, Marketing, Client Operations, HR, Finance, and service‑line leaders to align sales capacity, demand generation, service delivery, and commercial priorities.
• Complex bids and proposals: Contribute to major global and regional opportunities, ensuring the right expertise is engaged throughout the bid process.
• Forecasting and reporting: Provide clear, regular reporting on pipeline, conversion, revenue, and KPIs to the EVP, APAC and the wider commercial leadership team.
• Sales governance and enablement: Embed LRQA’s global standards for sales performance, governance, and accountability. Champion consistent use of MS Dynamics CRM, sales processes, and enablement tools to improve visibility, forecasting accuracy, and sales effectiveness.

Key stakeholders

• EVP, APAC (line manager)
• Regional Business Directors
• Marketing Manager, APAC
• Head of Client Operations
• HR / People Partner
• Finance Business Partner (FBP)
• Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Product Officer, Chief Finance Officer

What You’ll Bring

• TIC sector expertise: Substantial, recent experience in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification sector is essential. Candidates without direct TIC experience will not be considered.
• Commercial scale: A proven record of managing and delivering sales targets exceeding USD 80 million, with strong ownership of both revenue and profitability.
• Senior leadership: At least 10 years of senior commercial leadership experience, including five or more years in an international, regional, or global role.
• Organisational leadership: Experience leading a sales organisation of approximately 70–80 people through regional or country sales leaders in a complex, multi‑market environment.
• APAC market knowledge: Demonstrated experience across several of the following markets: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, with the ability to navigate different commercial and regulatory environments.
• Hands‑on sales leadership: The ability to lead from the front, engage directly with clients, and drive revenue rather than manage solely at a distance.
• People and performance management: A strong track record in recruitment, engagement, development, retention, and the creation of high‑performing, client‑focused teams.
• Executive influence: A credible and confident leadership style, with the presence to influence stakeholders at every level, including Group Board and C‑suite audiences.
• Strategic selling: Strong commercial acumen and recent experience developing value propositions, presenting to senior decision‑makers, and leading complex, customised proposals and bids for global clients.
• Matrix collaboration: A resilient, consultative approach and the ability to build trusted relationships, influence across functions, and guide teams through organisational change.
• Adjacent services: Familiarity with ESG and Sustainability assurance, Cyber Assurance, or Advisory services is highly desirable.
• Education and systems: A relevant degree and working knowledge of MS Dynamics CRM or comparable sales tools.
• Languages: Fluency in English is required; additional regional languages are an advantage.
• Location and travel: Willingness to be based in Southeast Asia—preferably Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, or Indonesia and to travel extensively across the region.

Who are LRQA?

LRQA is a leading global assurance partner, combining deep industry expertise with innovative solutions to help organizations manage risk, improve performance, and drive sustainable growth.

Operating in over 50 countries with a team of 2,500+ professionals, we support more than 60,000 clients worldwide through assurance, certification, cybersecurity, inspection, and training services. Our purpose is simple: to help businesses build a safer, more secure, and more sustainable future.

What We Offer

Join a global team where your expertise is valued and your development is supported. We offer a collaborative work environment, opportunities for professional growth, flexible working arrangements where applicable, a competitive salary aligned with the market, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a role with us, we may carry out pre‑employment checks, as permitted by local law, including verification of identity, right to work, employment history, education, and criminal records where applicable.

These checks are conducted by our trusted screening partner, Cfirst, in compliance with applicable data protection laws. Any personal data collected will be used solely for recruitment purposes, stored securely, and retained only as required.

At LRQA, we belive that as a leading Global Leading Assurance and Risk Management Service provider, our talented people are our risk management advantage.

We belive the best outcomes come from diverse perspectives, shared ambition and working together with integrity. That's how we buid a workplace where everyone can contribute, grow and thrive.

Guided by Vision and powered by Expertise, we're united by a shared purpose. If you're driven to make a difference, you'll belong here.