Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Financial Times (FT) is a globally recognised news organisation known for its authority, integrity and accuracy. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Join a warm, collaborative culture where you will connect with a diverse community of experts supporting your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. The FT Specialist division provides essential information and insight to specialist audiences to help them make better decisions and operate more effectively.

We are seeking a Business Development Manager to join our London-based subscription sales team, focusing on driving new corporate subscription sales for FT Specialist’s banking products, including The Banker and The Banker Database. These products deliver insight, data and analysis to organisations across the global banking community.

You will develop relationships with prospective clients, identify new business opportunities and deliver against sales targets. Your sales activity will include face-to-face, virtual and telephone engagement, managing opportunities throughout the sales cycle and building strong relationships with decision-makers. The role reports to FT Specialist’s Global Head of Subscription Sales based in London.

Key Responsibilities
Present and sell FT Specialist’s banking products effectively to prospective and existing clients.
Build, develop and maintain strong relationships with customers and prospects.
Deliver against agreed new-business sales targets.
Manage opportunities throughout the sales cycle, from prospecting and initial engagement through to negotiation and close.
Prepare and deliver presentations, proposals and sales contracts, leading detailed sales discussions.
Use marketing and customer data to identify opportunities and generate subscription sales.
Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and provide regular reporting on activity, opportunities and forecasts.
Proactively develop new business through outbound prospecting including telephone and email engagement.
Gather and communicate market and customer feedback to inform product development and commercial strategy.
Clearly explain subscription terms, conditions and relevant company policies to customers.
Represent FT Specialist at relevant conferences and industry events, building relationships and identifying new opportunities.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across editorial and marketing teams.

Experience
Proven experience selling into the banking or wider financial services sector with a strong understanding of the industry and its customers.
Track record in new-business sales across face-to-face, telephone, email and virtual channels.
Experience in prospecting, lead development, targeted account selling and closing new business.
Strong persuasion, negotiation and commercial communication skills.
Consultative sales approach with ability to understand customer needs and communicate compelling value propositions.
Experience managing complex or high-value client relationships.
Confidence presenting to clients and prospective customers at various seniority levels.

About you
Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills with effective listening and communication.
Organised and able to manage multiple opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
Committed to delivering excellent customer service.
Proactive, resilient and solution-oriented approach to new-business development.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.

Qualifications
Desirable additional language skills.
An established professional network within financial services across multiple geographic regions.
Experience developing commercial opportunities through conferences, trade shows or other industry events.