At a Glance
- Tasks: Prospect leads, build sales pipelines, and support the business development team.
- Company: Join the Financial Times, a leading global news organisation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, medical cover, hybrid working, and community engagement opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace innovation and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in journalism while developing your sales skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, lead generation experience, and fluency in English and Cantonese or Mandarin.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About us
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. Build a newsworthy career at the FT.
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.
Job Description
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. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.
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 talent@ft.com.
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.
Sales Development Representative, Asia Pacific employer: Financial Times
The Financial Times is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture in Singapore that fosters collaboration and personal growth. With a commitment to diversity and employee wellbeing, the FT provides generous benefits, including flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to impactful journalism.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Development Representative, Asia Pacific
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research the Financial Times, its values, and its products. This way, when you get that chance to chat with someone from the team, you can show off your knowledge and passion for what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! You’ll be making loads of calls, so make sure you’re comfortable talking about the FT’s offerings. Role-play with a friend or in front of a mirror until you feel confident and natural.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn, join relevant groups, and engage in discussions. This not only helps you learn more but also puts you on their radar when opportunities arise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After any interaction, whether it’s a call or an email, send a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds as they consider candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Development Representative, Asia Pacific
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 our mission at the FT. Don’t just list your skills; tell us how they relate to the role and what makes you unique!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Sales Development Representative 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, demonstrate your eagerness to learn and grow within the role. Share examples of how you've proactively sought out new opportunities or tackled challenges in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at the FT.
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Times
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly research the Financial Times and its products. Understand their mission, values, and the specific role of a Sales Development Representative. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Since this role involves a lot of communication, practice your phone skills. Role-play common scenarios with a friend or family member, focusing on how to engage senior executives. The more comfortable you are speaking on the phone, the better you'll perform during the interview.
✨Show Your Proactivity
Highlight your ability to take initiative. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully prospected leads or generated new business. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a follower but someone who can drive results.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, sales strategies, and growth opportunities at the FT. This shows that you’re not only interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to the company's success.
