Business Development Manager

About Us

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

The Role

FT Professional licenses FT content to organisations around the world, with clients across corporate, finance, government, professional services, education, and media sectors.

As a Business Development Manager, you will focus on developing new business within the Professional and Financial Services industries, as well as Government, Education, and PR firms. You will be responsible for creating and implementing an annual sales plan, identifying key prospects, and addressing gaps to achieve targets.

You’ll manage the full sales cycle, from prospecting to closure, and confidently present the FT's value proposition to senior management across various organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Achieve new business targets set annually.
• Develop and implement a sector-specific sales plan.
• Identify top prospects and market gaps within your sectors.
• Collaborate with marketing to prioritise and drive activities to achieve sales goals.
• Partner with the Pre-Sales Customer Success Management team to plan initiatives supporting new business development.
• Leverage tools like FT articles, copyright materials, channel partner sales, and LinkedIn to support prospecting efforts.
• Maintain expertise in your sectors and confidently communicate the FT's value proposition to clients.
• Build strong relationships with prospects through face-to-face meetings, understanding their requirements, and fostering growth opportunities.
• Accurately document sales activities in Salesforce and ensure timely follow-ups.
• Provide customer insights to assist in product development.

Required Skills / Experience

• Proven experience in consultative sales and business development.
• Demonstrated success in achieving or exceeding revenue targets.
• Experience in solution-based sales within the digital information industry.
• Proven ability to sell to senior management and manage senior stakeholders.
• Strong presentation and communication skills to articulate the FT's value proposition confidently.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team to achieve goals.
• High initiative and motivation, with effective networking skills to identify opportunities.
• Exceptional organisational skills to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Well-developed influencing skills to secure client and internal colleague commitment.
• Experience in selling to the relevant sectors (Professional Services, Financial Services, Government, Education, PR) is advantageous.

What’s in it for You?

Our benefits vary by location, but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships, and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

We’ve embraced a hybrid working model that promotes flexibility, including remote work options. We will support specific flexibility requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com, and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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