Business Development Executive

About us

FT Locations is a specialist division of the Financial Times Group, delivering best-in-class location intelligence subscription software and advisory solutions used by organisations to make smarter decisions about where to invest, grow, and compete.

Our digital subscription platforms combine trusted global data, benchmarking, and insight to help clients build stronger strategies, attract higher-quality investment, and reduce risk. In a world where competition for capital, jobs, and talent is intensifying, FT Locations replaces fragmented data and static reports with always-on digital tools that give our clients a clear competitive edge.

To meet growing demand and accelerate subscription revenue growth, FT Locations is expanding its commercial presence in the US. This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing, ambitious sales team, selling genuinely best-in-class products, backed by one of the most trusted brands in the world.

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Our commitment to a fair and inclusive workplace

At the FT, we are committed to creating a fair and inclusive workplace where everyone has equal opportunity to succeed. We welcome and value different perspectives and strive to ensure all employees are heard and supported. We believe people do their best work when they can be themselves and have the flexibility they need to balance their work and personal lives. We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination.

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The role

This role will appeal to a commercially ambitious Business Development Executive seeking ownership of a market, meaningful impact, and among the strongest performance incentives in the industry.

You will own a defined US market territory, building pipelines and closing deals through consistent outbound prospecting and insight-led software sales conversations.

Working closely with the VP of Sales for the Americas, you will identify, develop, and advance new business opportunities end-to-end. You’ll lead prospect meetings and product demonstrations, generate proposals, manage inbound enquiries, and progress deals through to close—selling solutions that genuinely change how organisations operate.

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Key responsibilities

• Own FT Locations’ business development activity across a defined US territory

• Proactively prospect through cold calls, emails, social and digital channels to build a strong, qualified pipeline

• Sell FT Locations’ subscription-based software products, clearly connecting them to client strategy and outcomes

• Run effective discovery, deliver compelling demos, manage proposals, and close deals

• Maintain a healthy, forward-looking pipeline with strong forecasting discipline

• Actively contribute to sales team meetings, sharing wins, challenges, and market insight

• Identify and qualify high-potential leads from outbound activity, marketing campaigns, and digital engagement

• Use sales data and FT sales enablement tools to refine messaging, targeting, and approach

• Maintain accurate CRM records to track activity, pipeline, and performance

• Stay current on FT Locations product enhancements, pricing, and sales best practices

• Keep close to developments in economic development, investment promotion, foreign direct investment, and related trends

• Support the execution of territory sales plans, including priority accounts and expansion opportunities

• Assist with business development events and market engagement activities

• Contribute to a disciplined, professional sales operation that supports long-term growth

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Required skills / experience

• Strong lead generation and outbound prospecting capabilities

• Proven B2B sales experience, ideally in data intelligence, SaaS, location analytics, consulting, or software

• Ability to develop a high-volume sales pipeline while maintaining strategic relationship-building skills

• Proficiency in delivering compelling product demos and sales presentations

• Experience working with corporate clients, commercial real estate teams, or investment decision-makers is a plus

• Skilled in using CRM tools (Salesforce or similar) for tracking opportunities and pipeline performance

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Desirable skills / experience

• Familiarity with economic development, investment promotion, corporate site selection, or foreign direct investment organisations

• Experience selling research intelligence or data-driven products to economic development or investment promotion audiences

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What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, health coverage, 401k and company match, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

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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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Further information.

This role is a remote position that would be based in Arizona or Florida and the salary band is estimated for these locations. 

At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com.