Reporting to the Director, the Business Development Manager plays an important role in expanding HCLI's brand presence, building strategic partnerships, and supporting sustainable revenue growth. The role focuses on cultivating relationships with business leaders, corporate partners, government agencies, and ecosystem stakeholders to strengthen HCLI's position as a leading institution in leadership development.

Key Accountabilities include:

Client Engagement & Partnerships

• Manage and grow existing client relationships, ensuring strong engagement and high service levels.
• Identify and develop new partnership opportunities with business leaders, HR professionals, and ecosystem partners.
• Support HCLI's visibility efforts through networking, conferences, forums, and targeted engagement activities.
• Build relationships with corporations, government agencies, and private enterprises to support funding and partnership discussions.
• Provide basic market intelligence and client insights to support programme design and thought leadership initiatives.
• Work closely with the programmes team to ensure fulfilment of client, partner, and sponsor commitments.

Business Development & Sales Strategy

• Support the development and execution of business development strategies to drive sponsorships, partnerships, and programme enrolments.
• Contribute to the setting of targets for sponsorships, programme enrolments, and partnerships, and work towards achieving them.
• Identify potential markets and sectors to expand HCLI's outreach and influence.
• Conduct benchmarking to understand HCLI's positioning relative to competitors.
• Source funding opportunities within large organisations and identify key stakeholders.
• Lead outreach and engagement activities to attract leaders and participants to HCLI programmes.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated experience in business development, partnerships, or sales within corporate, public sector, or professional services environments.
• Good stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and influence mid-to-senior-level decision-makers.
• Understanding of business development, sponsorship models, and partnership structures.
• Strong commercial acumen with exposure to pricing, revenue planning, or sales forecasting.
• Ability to contribute to the development and execution of strategic sales plans.
• Knowledge of branding, partnership alignment, and sponsorship practices is an advantage.
• Strong planning, coordination, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (oral and written).
• Agile, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Regional exposure or experience working with multinational organisations is advantageous.

Experience:

Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience.