Client Partner, Southeast Asia

The Economist Group; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global media company is seeking a Partnerships Manager in Singapore to drive client solutions business including advertising, content marketing, and events. You will engage with middle to senior executives across industries to develop solutions and exceed sales targets. The ideal candidate has a strong sales background, excellent communication, and proven relationship management skills. They will work closely with the editorial team and the wider sales group to maintain profitable advertising revenue streams. This position offers a hybrid working model and competitive benefits.

Benefits

Pension or 401(k) plan

Private health insurance

Work From Anywhere program

Generous annual and parental leave

Access to all Economist content

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of B2B sales experience and/or advertising sales experience.
• Strong background in digital advertising and/or agency experience.
• Ability to articulate thought leadership as a marketing strategy.

Responsibilities

• Meet and exceed advertising revenue targets for print and digital solutions.
• Develop relationships with clients and agency stakeholders.
• Create integrated packages with events and research products.

Skills

Consultative selling

Relationship management

Communication skills

Proactive problem-solving

Business knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in economics, business, or Asian studies

Tools

Salesforce.com

Job description

We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the “red thread” that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence-based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them.

We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and clients in 170 countries through our four businesses, The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity.

This is a Partnerships Manager role with responsibility for driving Economist Impact’s client solutions business in Singapore, including advertising, content marketing, research and events. The key objective is to meet and exceed sales revenue targets.

We are looking for a highly-strategic individual who is comfortable having a consultative discussion with middle to senior-ranking executives across multiple industries. The suitable candidate should possess the intellectual skills and experience needed to understand and interpret their business MarCom strategies, objectives and KPIs, and provide the optimum Economist product solution, working closely with other departments, notably the editorial team of the content solutions unit. In addition, he/she will work closely with The Economist’s wider sales team to grow print and digital advertising revenue and ensure that The Economist’s suite of products is top of mind among advertisers seeking to reach an influential business audience.

The suitable candidate will be required to engage clients from the technology sector to unearth business opportunities. They will also be required to develop meaningful relationships with key agency stakeholders to ensure The Economist is receiving media briefs and is top of mind during the planning and procurement process for their clients.

A key skill set is the ability to understand the story a client wants/needs to tell, and to help strategise ways in which The Economist Group can help the client tell that story in a compelling way for the target audience and in a way consistent with our editorial quality and guidelines. This means understanding intellectually the content and recognising the impact for, and value to, the target audience.

How you will contribute:

• Meet and exceed advertising revenue targets for The Economist's suite of advertising solutions, across print, digital and online.
• Prospect and convert leads, monitor the advertising of competitive publications and sites.
• Work with South East Asia team on short and long‑range plans for improved revenues, policies, problem-solving, etc.
• Develop and maintain long‑term relationships with regular and potential advertisers, and maintain high visibility with customers and others in the industry to maintain a prominent edge.
• Create and propose integrated packages when appropriate together with events and research‑based products (Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU).
• Maintain and grow existing relationships with clients and agencies, and liaise with colleagues in other offices.
• Grow and maintain a healthy pipeline of prospective new opportunities, and update these in com as they progress through the sales cycle.
• Manage expenses within budget.

Reporting/Communication:

• Weekly Sales meetings.
• Monthly plan and review.
• Keep customer and prospect records timely and accurate on Salesforce.com.
• Provide and achieve reliable monthly sales forecasts and provide weekly updates of any significant changes.

To succeed in the role you must have:

• Bachelor's degree holder in economics, business or Asian studies (preferred).
• Minimum 3 years of regional business‑to‑business sales experience and/or advertising sales experience with a consistent record of exceeding targets.
• Experience in media and advertising sponsorship sales with a strong background in digital advertising and/or agency experience.
• Familiarity with targeted high‑level sponsored activities and ability to articulate the concept of thought leadership as a marketing strategy.
• Strong general business, political and current affairs knowledge. The ability to converse and ask questions about a broad range of topics will increase the success of this role.
• An understanding of the workings of advertising and media agencies is an advantage.
• Knowledge of specific software packages or other technical IT skills.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Proven ability at consultative selling and relationship management.
• An excellent communicator with a strong presence, good presentation skills and rapport with clients of various levels of seniority.
• Proactive approach to creating customer‑focused packages from a portfolio of products.
• Ability to spot and exploit commercial opportunities for the Group and to take part in the product/idea development process.
• Ability to develop and manage a pipeline of business.
• Ability to be a results‑oriented, self‑starter with the drive and dedication to succeed.
• Ability to work well alone and be resourceful, but committed to being a team player.
• Ability to be well‑organised and efficient at managing time to meet target deadlines with minimal supervision and ability to cope well under pressure.

#LI-Hybrid

AI usage for your application:

We are an innovative organisation that encourages the use of technology. We recognise that candidates may utilise AI tools to support with their job application process. However, it is essential that all information you provide truthfully and accurately reflects your own experience, skills, and qualifications.

What we offer

Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work‑life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program.

We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year. In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home.

You will also be given free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.

We are committed to building and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and consider equal opportunity an important part of our culture.