Business Development Manager

The role

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to join our Sales team in Australia.   

The role will be hybrid for those in Melbourne or remote for those elsewhere in Australia.  

Working at WGSN

Together, we create tomorrow 

A career with WGSN is fast-paced, exciting and full of opportunities to grow and develop. We're a team of consumer and design trend forecasters, content creators, designers, data analysts, advisory consultants and much more, united by a common goal: to create tomorrow. 

WGSN's trusted consumer and design forecasts power outstanding product design, enabling our customers to create a better future. Our services cover consumer insights, beauty, consumer tech, fashion, interiors, lifestyle, food and drink forecasting, data analytics and expert advisory. If you are an expert in your field, we want to hear from you. 

Role overview 

This exciting role reports into the Head of New Business for APAC. You will be responsible for driving net customer growth and generating new business in the Australia and New Zealand territory. As the main Business Development Manager in the market, you will have the potential to develop into a country leader and drive the overall business growth. 

Working collaboratively with the Business Development Associates, you will be expected to set up at least 10 customer meetings per week, a conversion of both self-generated opportunities and qualified leads from the Marketing and Business Development Associate team. Experience in Consumer Tech and the Food & Drinks space is a plus, however we offer extensive training to help build your knowledge of the key verticals we operate within.

You will be joining an integral team where support, learning and team spirit will allow you to settle comfortably into the role and grow. We also offer a clear career progression path for successful individuals. 

The team

You will be a part of a supportive New Business team with diverse backgrounds in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. You will work closely with the Head of Business Development, Business Development Associates and global creative teams to sell and deliver the world's leading consumer insight and trend forecasting suite of products. 

You will be joining this dynamic team of 6-7 people based across Melbourne and Sydney. You will also receive additional support from the APAC Marketing team. Teamwork and collaboration will allow you to learn and settle comfortably into the role. 

Key accountabilities

• Grow new business opportunities across and beyond Fashion in the region

• Selling the entire WGSN suite of solutions to new clients

• Key responsibilities include; following up inbound leads, owning lead generation through social selling, cold calling and working with the Business Development Associate team to capture new clients

• Forecasting business accurately on monthly and quarterly outlook

• Working closely with the marketing team on marketing campaigns to capture key prospects

• Arrange and attend meetings with prospects, creating great content led C-Level presentations which will include demonstration of the site; drafting proposals and contract documents and consistent networking within relevant industries

• Working closely with the APAC team, including Account Management and Client Success to understand clients’ usage of the solution, best practices, customer success stories and drive referral business

• You will be a strategic lead in the markets, advising on long term plans for growth and business development beyond core industries

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other activities you are required to deliver.

Skills, experience & qualifications required

• Proven track record of consultative solution selling and understanding of the subscription business

• Solid experience of working in sales, with the ability to connect with clients and colleagues from all walks of life 

• Previous experience working within an information / research industry

• Marketing, retail, SaaS or other service offerings would also be a distinct advantage

• Outstanding communication and decision-making abilities 

• Articulate communicator able to communicate confidently with C-Level clients

• A flair for strong relationship building on the telephone / experienced at cold outreach

• A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field is a bonus

Ascential’s supporting beliefs 

• Focus: we ruthlessly prioritise and always keep things simple

• All in: once we commit we deliver, with a clear focus on outcome

• Trustworthiness, transparency & openness: transparency inspires trust & empowers

• Be creative: we are smart, pro-active innovators

• Facts: we always use data & insight to inform our work

• Empathy: we can be relied upon for fairness and consideration

• No silos: one team, one face, one reputation

More about WGSN

WGSN is the global authority on consumer trend forecasting.

We help brands around the world create the right products at the right time for tomorrow’s consumer.

Our culture 

An inclusive culture is one of our key priorities. We want our people to truly be themselves and thrive. We love having a diverse team of people who bring new ideas, different strengths and perspectives & reflect the global audience we work with.

Why choose us? 

At Ascential, diversity, equity and inclusion is core to us. We’re a company built around our people - and we’re committed to supporting each and every one of them to be the best they can be. We love having a diverse team of people who bring new ideas and different strengths and perspectives to Ascential. Our employee-led networks, Ascential Pride, Black in Business and EmPower: An Ascential Women's Initiative, help us to create a place where communities and allies can connect and share experiences. In addition, our Early Talent programmes help grow and foster diverse new talent for our sectors.  

We are committed to supporting the environment and sustainability, including ensuring our pension plan defaults to sustainable options and striving to be net zero by 2030.  

Recognising great performance is a key part of our culture. Our Awards schemes recognise and reward the brilliant achievements of our people.  

We have a truly flexible working environment with a wide range of flexible, hybrid and agile-working arrangements. Conversations about flexible working have always been - and will continue to be - actively encouraged here. 

We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform their best when interviewing, so if you require any reasonable adjustments that would make you more comfortable during the process, please let us know so that we can do our best to support you.

If we inspire you, why not join and inspire us?  Find out more on what our People say