Regional Sales Development Manager - Partnerships & Go To Market

Who we are

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. 

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Regional Sales Development Specialist to strengthen our sales and partnership efforts in China. This role will focus on building and managing relationships with associations, trade organisations, and agents to ensure compliance, efficiency, and the optimisation of content and sales opportunities for the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The role will additionally support and construct effective go to market plans for the China market.

How you will contribute:

Building Associations and Partnerships in China

• Collaborate with the sales team to identify and engage with relevant associations, partnerships, and trade organisations
• Work closely with a nominated sales lead to manage partnerships, ensuring maximum content and brand visibility

Trade and Government Events

• Maintain a comprehensive list of trade and sales events relevant to EIU’s objectives in China.
• Coordinate EIU’s participation in these events, ensuring alignment with sales and partnership strategies.
• Monitor event outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement and growth.

Supporting In-House Events for the China Region

• Supporting in-house events for the region in collaboration with central marketing teams where required for local knowledge and where in-country support is needed.
• Oversee the execution of content-focused initiatives with partners, driving value for EIU.
• Identify leads and assign them to the relevant sales rep.

Tailoring Sales Materials for China

• Work closely with the Economist Intelligence sales teams and central marketing teams in facilitating the creation of materials and collateral, and effective regional delivery.
• Including sourcing, translating, and managing relevant content for target audiences and individual accounts where central marketing teams are unable to do so.

Go-to-Market Support for China specifically for SOEs and other target prospects

• Contribute to go-to-market commercial plans to develop China SOEs, working alongside central marketing teams in the APAC region.
• Oversee the execution of content-focused initiatives with partners, driving value for EIU.
• Identify leads and assign them to the relevant sales rep.

Agent management 

• Work with the sales team to identify, source, and manage relationships with agency partners in China to support sales initiatives.
• Ensure all agents operate in compliance with local regulations, maintaining proper documentation, contracts, and agreements.
• Working with the Regional Sales Director to conduct periodic reviews of agency performance to optimise partnerships and address areas for improvement.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date master log of agents, including associated information such as contracts, performance metrics, and compliance records.
• Provide regular reports and insights on agent activities to the sales leadership team.

RFP/Tender Support 

• To support RFP/tender submissions and information gathering for key identified accounts, working alongside the relevant BDM or AM. Limited to strategic growth areas only

Manage EIU Senior stakeholder visits to the region

• Plan and coordinate senior leadership visits to the region, focusing on engagements with clients and prospects to drive revenue growth. Assist with logical needs where required.

To succeed in the role you would have:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships with associations, trade partners, agents, and internal teams.
• Go-to-market and marketing experience in the China market, with a preference for developing go-to-market plans for intelligence/consulting products
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple schedules, stakeholders, and deadlines effectively.
• Attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in coordinating leadership visits, managing agent information, and maintaining compliance documentation.
• Knowledge of local compliance requirements in China and experience managing agency partnerships within regulatory frameworks.
• Proactive problem-solving abilities, able to anticipate challenges and address them efficiently.
• Adaptability, thriving in a matrix environment with diverse stakeholders and priorities.
• Language native fluency in Mandarin and business proficiency in English are a must in order to work with clients and regional stakeholders

To succeed in the role, you should be able to demonstrate:

• Understanding of and experience in partnership/agency development, including working with trade events, associations, and agency networks.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities, essential for preparing client information packs, use cases, proposals and for engaging with partners.
• Experience creating and developing sales collateral that can match product offering with client needs
• Experience with go-to-market development and execution, particularly in brand building through channels like WeChat and Weibo or through promotion in collaboration with external agencies/partners
• Team collaboration skills, comfortable working closely with sales teams and leadership in a multinational context.
• A results-driven mindset, focused on delivering impactful outcomes from partnerships, events, and leadership visits.
• Experience in coordinating senior-level engagements, including scheduling and planning visits with clients and prospects.

#LI-Hybrid

What we offer

Benefits
We offer excellent benefits including an incentive programme, generous annual and parental leave policies, volunteering days and well-being support throughout the year, as well as free access to all Economist content. Country specific benefits are also offered.

Our Values
Our values are a collective set of beliefs and behaviours that strengthen The Economist Group's purpose and demonstrate where we want to be as an organisation. They reflect on our mission to pursue progress for individuals, organisations and the world.

Independence
We are not bound to any party or interest and encourage exploration and free-thinking. We champion freedom, both within our organisation and around the world.

Integrity
We are bold in our efforts to uncover the truth and stand up for what we believe in. We inspire trust through our rigour, fact-checking and transparency.

Excellence
We aspire to the highest standards in all we do. We are ambitious and inquisitive in our pursuit of continuous progress and innovation.

Inclusivity
We value diversity in thought and background and encourage healthy debate with a breadth of perspectives. We treat our colleagues and customers fairly and respectfully.

Openness
We foster a collaborative and empathetic culture conducive to the interests, wit and initiative of our colleagues. New ideas are our lifeblood.

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues and potential colleagues regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status or any other status.