Assistant Business Development Manager

Private Advertiser; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An international franchise development company in Singapore is seeking a professional to lead overseas market setups and manage relationships with franchise partners. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree and 3-6 years of relevant experience in franchise operations or international business development. Fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese is required, along with strong project management skills. This role involves travel and effective cross-department collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-6 years of experience in franchise operations or international business development.
• Ability to work independently and navigate cross-cultural environments.
• Willingness to travel when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead overseas market setups including business incorporation.
• Act as primary liaison between overseas partners and internal teams.
• Manage project timelines for market launches.

Skills

Excellent communication skills in English and Mandarin Chinese

Strong project management skills

Interpersonal relationship-building

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, International Business

Job description

In this role, you’ll lead the execution of new market setups, manage relationships with international franchise and joint venture (JV) partners, and collaborate across departments to bring new outlets to life. This position reports directly to the Assistant Director, Marketing & Business Development.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Franchise & Market Development

• Lead and coordinate new overseas market setups, including business incorporation, trademark and office setup/store build-outs

• Oversee the full project lifecycle: construction, procurement, pre-opening training, operational handover, and post-opening support

• Support the review and execution of market-specific legal requirements in collaboration with internal legal teams or external counsel

• Develop and maintain franchise manuals, including operational and food service SOPs, ensuring consistency and quality across markets

Partner Relationship Management

• Act as the primary liaison between overseas partners and internal teams (Operations, Culinary, Marketing, Supply Chain, etc.)

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with franchise/JV partners through clear communication and consistent support

• Address partner queries and provide ongoing support to help achieve operational excellence and commercial results

• Organise and oversee training programs for partner staff across all levels — pre-opening, opening, and ongoing

Project Management & Execution

• Manage project timelines and track cross-functional deliverables across multiple concurrent market launches.

• Coordinate effectively with key departments (Design, Construction, Procurement, etc.) to meet launch deadlines

Operational & Commercial Support

• Support the development of business plans, budgets, and launch timelines with new partners

• Monitor partner performance and suggest improvements to enhance operational standards and profitability.

• Oversee procurement and logistics coordination, ensuring efficient cross-border supply chain flows

• Work closely with Finance to ensure timely partner payments and assist in reconciliation or follow-up where required

General & Strategic Support

• Conduct market research and assist in evaluating new business opportunities

• Support leadership with internal reporting and presentations following store launches

• Contribute to internal knowledge sharing by capturing lessons learned and refining workflows for future rollouts

• Assist with special projects and strategic initiatives as directed by General Manager

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, International Business, or a related field

• Minimum 3-6 years of experience in franchise operations, international business development, or a relevant field

• Excellent written and oral skills in both English and Mandarin Chinese. Knowledge of foreign languages will be a plus

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities

• Strong project management skills and attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and navigate cross-cultural environments

• Willingness to travel when required