At a Glance
- Tasks: Prospect and build a sales pipeline through calls and emails.
- Company: Join the Financial Times, a leading global news organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, medical cover, and a hybrid working model.
- Other info: Diverse culture with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make an impact in journalism while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in lead generation and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.
In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion: We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.
Position Title: Sales Development Representative, Asia Pacific
Location: Singapore
Reports to Position: Head of New Business, APAC – FT Professional
The FT Professional Sales team is responsible for licensing FT content directly to corporate and education customers around the world, with clients across finance, government, professional services, education and media sectors.
The Sales Development Representative will be responsible for pre-qualifying leads and prospects for the Business Development team to close into new business revenue. The role will support the field sales team through a number of activities which include:
- Pre-qualification of leads/opportunities
- Identifying potential budget holders
- Proactive prospecting for new contacts
- Booking appointments with prospects
- Responding to inbound and webchat inquiries
- Gathering testimonials/evidence for proposals
This role requires the applicant to actively prospect for new contacts. The candidate will need to possess professional telephone manners and the confidence in speaking to senior executives at organisations across a range of industry sectors. This role requires the applicant to actively prospect for new contacts; as such, they must be comfortable in making 30+ calls per day to develop a good understanding of the FT product offerings.
In this role you will:
- Prospect and build a sales pipeline for the business development team via outbound calling and email communication
- Source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up, through internal tools, FT content, and general market research
- Work with marketing to ensure timely lead follow-up and feedback
- Research and contact potential budget holders/decision-makers
- Pre-qualify leads and book appointments/call backs for the business development team
- Assign qualified leads/opportunities to the business development team for further development and closing
- Follow up with each business development manager to gather feedback and agree next steps
- Contact readers to gather testimonials and evidence to support sales proposals
- Weekly reporting, including successful calls made and any challenges faced
- Record conversations with prospects on the CRM system for reporting purposes
Qualifications / Competencies / Skills / Experience:
- Experience in lead nurturing, lead generation and appointment setting
- Strong communication skills, particularly on the phone, and cultural awareness
- Fluency in English and Cantonese or Mandarin
- Proactivity and readiness to cold call
- Highly motivated and target driven
- Previous experience as an SDR preferred
- Organised and ability to prioritise busy workload in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work accurately, with strong attention to detail
- Display initiative in undertaking all aspects of the role
- Good team player with a willingness to collaborate
What’s in it for you? Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community.
We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.
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.
Further information: 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 us.
Interested in the FT but don’t see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT.
APAC SDR — Hybrid Prospecting & Pipeline Growth in London employer: Financial Times
The Financial Times is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Singapore where curiosity and ambition are celebrated. Employees benefit from a generous benefits package, including flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Join us to build a meaningful career while connecting with a diverse community of experts dedicated to delivering quality journalism.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land APAC SDR — Hybrid Prospecting & Pipeline Growth in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Financial Times inside out! Research their products, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show genuine interest when you connect with potential leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your phone skills! Make sure you're comfortable making those 30+ calls a day. Role-play with friends or use mock calls to build confidence and refine your pitch.
✨Tip Number 3
Leverage your network! Reach out to connections who might have insights into the industry or even know someone at the FT. A warm introduction can make all the difference in landing that first meeting.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up! After your calls or meetings, send a quick email thanking them for their time and reiterating your key points. This keeps you top of mind and shows your professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace APAC SDR — Hybrid Prospecting & Pipeline Growth in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your personality and how you connect with the role. Don’t just regurgitate your CV; tell us why you’re excited about this opportunity at the FT!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the APAC SDR role. Highlight your experience in lead generation and appointment setting, and show us how your skills align with what we’re looking for. A little effort goes a long way!
Show Your Curiosity:We love curiosity at the FT! In your application, mention any research you've done about our company or the industry. This shows us that you’re genuinely interested and ready to dive into the world of financial journalism.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our official careers site! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it helps us keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Times
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the Financial Times' products and services. Understand their mission and values, especially around quality journalism and diversity. This knowledge will help you connect your skills to what they’re looking for.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Since this role involves a lot of communication, practice your phone manners and cold calling techniques. Role-play with a friend or family member to get comfortable with making those 30+ calls a day. Confidence is key!
✨Show Your Proactivity
Be ready to discuss how you've successfully nurtured leads in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve taken initiative in previous roles, whether it’s through research or following up on leads. They’ll want to see that you can hit the ground running.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the sales process, and how success is measured in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
