Business Development Director, Institutional

About the Opportunity

A prominent global asset management firm, part of a larger publicly listed financial services group with a strong institutional heritage spanning multiple decades, is establishing its Asia Pacific institutional distribution operations from Singapore. This is the first dedicated asset management sales position in the region, requiring a proactive and experienced individual who has a proven track record of selling public markets investment products to institutional clients across APAC.

The role benefits from the extensive backing of a global platform providing support in investments, products, portfolio management, marketing, legal, compliance, and investor request processes from both the US and Europe. Within the APAC region, the focus is on product-driven distribution, prioritizing long-only equity, factor-based, smart beta, systematic, and quantitative equity strategies. Liquid alternatives and credit-oriented strategies complement the broader platform, but the primary responsibility lies in opening doors with institutional clients and securing mandates for listed/liquid asset management offerings.

Operating from its Singapore regional base, the incumbent will develop an APAC client roster leveraging existing institutional relationships, especially across Singapore, South Korea, and the wider region.

The Role

• Identify and secure new institutional business opportunities centered on long-only equity, factor-based, smart beta, systematic, and quantitative equity strategies, along with related liquid/listed asset management products.
• Forge and nurture relationships with sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurance companies, investment consultants, central banks, private banks, and other institutional investors across the APAC region.
• Lead every stage of the sales process, from initial engagement and investor education through due diligence, Requests for Proposal (RFP), and mandate finalization.
• Serve as a credible representative of the firm in interactions with Chief Investment Officers, investment professionals, consultants, and other institutional decision-makers.
• Collaborate closely with global product specialists, portfolio managers, marketing, legal, compliance, and RFP teams to provide robust client support.
• Offer timely market insights relating to APAC investor demand, competitor positioning, pricing strategies, and product trends.

What Makes You a Fit

• Typically, you possess 10 to 15 years of experience in institutional asset management sales, business development, and relationship management, with demonstrable success in originating and closing mandates rather than maintaining existing relationships.
• Experience in selling public market asset management products within APAC institutional channels, with clear knowledge of the investor types, product specifics, regional markets, and assets under management secured.
• Specific expertise distributing long-only equity, factor-based, smart beta, systematic, or quantitative equity strategies.
• Recent client coverage emphasizing direct institutional investors—such as sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurers, investment consultants, central banks, and private banks—rather than retail or intermediary channels.
• Ability to engage effectively with CIOs, consultants, or investment committees on topics including equity strategy positioning, factor exposures, portfolio construction, performance drivers, risk management, and thorough due diligence.
• A self-starter with a hunter mentality who can develop a market presence independently without relying on pre-existing accounts or a large local infrastructure.
• A degree in Economics, Business, Mathematics, Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline is required. Advanced degrees such as a Master's or MBA are considered advantageous.
• Residency in Singapore is necessary, or readiness to relocate promptly. Preference is given to Singapore citizens or permanent residents.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with liquid alternatives distribution.
• Familiarity with ETF, index, or smart beta product distribution.
• Coverage experience within Korea, Japan, or broader North Asian institutional markets.
• Background in US CLO or credit product sales.
• Registration as a MAS Capital Markets Services Representative is a plus.

What Is On Offer

• A pioneering institutional distribution role for the APAC region within a global asset management platform.
• A product-centered mandate focusing on listed and liquid investment strategies, supported fully at the global level.
• The unique chance to establish and shape the firm’s APAC franchise based out of Singapore from the outset.
• Compensation linked to performance, rewarding successful new business development.