Business Development Manager, The Banker

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.

The Role

FT Specialist is a division of the FT Group, providing specialist audiences with essential information and insight that helps them make better decisions and operate more effectively.

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

You will focus on developing relationships with prospective clients, identifying new business opportunities and delivering against sales targets. Working through a mix of face-to-face, virtual and telephone-based sales activity, you will manage opportunities throughout the sales cycle and build 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, and lead detailed sales discussions with prospective clients.
• Use marketing and customer data effectively 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 help inform ongoing 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 teams including editorial and marketing.

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience selling into the banking or wider financial services sector, with a good understanding of the industry and its customers.
• A strong track record in new-business sales, including experience selling through face-to-face, telephone, email and virtual channels.
• Experience in prospecting, lead development, lead follow-up, targeted account selling and closing new business.
• Strong persuasion, negotiation and commercial communication skills.
• A consultative sales approach, with the ability to understand customer needs and communicate a compelling value proposition.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen carefully and communicate effectively with stakeholders at different levels of seniority.
• Experience managing complex or high-value client relationships.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to delivering excellent customer service.
• A proactive and resilient approach to new-business development and problem-solving.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Confidence presenting to clients and prospective customers at a range of levels.

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.

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. Full details of our benefits are available here.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].

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