Business Development Director, China

Do you want to play a key role in building a fast growing business in China?

We are looking for a driven and knowledgeable Business Development Director to expand our APAC team. This is your opportunity to utilise your advanced business development skills and benefit from the network you have developed throughout your career. You’ll be at the forefront of driving growth, building strategic partnerships, and shaping our presence in a market full of opportunity and complexity. If you’re commercially sharp, thrive in fast-moving environments, and want to make a real impact on both immediate results and long-term strategy, this role is for you.

Studyportals' mission is to bring transparency to the wealth of study opportunities in the International Higher Education Market. We aim to empower the world to choose education on a global scale.

Our websites receive 51 million unique users/year, which makes us the most popular study choice platform worldwide. We currently partnering with over 3,000 participating universities in 114 countries worldwide and our team encompasses +250 people with 40 different nationalities

What you will be doing:

• Developing and executing a new B2B go-to-market BD strategy, driving key account practices, managing high-value partnerships, connecting with top universities to help them to diversify and grow their international student body
• Multi-level business development with a focus on connecting and building trust with the board and DMU of top institutions resulting in multi-year partnerships
• Working cross-functionally with Marketing and Sales delivery, you will bridge global strategy and local execution. You will also lead commercial negotiations and performance reporting, embedding consistent systems and standards.
• Advising and liaising with both new and existing clients – build and nurture existing partnerships and ensuring our clients are happy with their performance
• Represent Studyportals at key conferences and events

• Involvement in the optimization of the complete commercial cycle: from lead generation, negotiation sales, campaign implementation to reporting and evaluation
• Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President, APAC

• Commercially driven leader with extensive experience (10+ years) in business development or sales leadership in a large, matrixed organisation - ideally in higher education, EdTech, or adjacent sectors such as government. You should bring proven experience managing strategic partnerships and navigating change while consistently delivering on commercial targets.
• Fluent in Mandarin (C2) and English (C1), both written and spoken, is required.
• Familiarity with CRM systems such as Microsoft is preferred, along with experience in solution-sales, regional market growth, or account strategy.
• A strong network of key decision makers (c-Suite, Director, Government) within the HE industry in China
• Client and market share focused; committed to create client value on the long term
• Assertive, and optimistic. Energetic and persistent, with an entrepreneurial approach you drive for results and are 110% committed to success
• Open team player – independent yet supportive – thriving in an entrepreneurial atmosphere.
• Eagerness to learn and grow alongside a dynamic company, with the ambition to quickly grow in role and responsibilities.

• The opportunity to be a key driver of a fast growing company in the China market
• An annual personal development budget, because personal growth is KEY
• A fulltime position, a competitive salary including an excellent bonus scheme
• Ambitious, informal, entrepreneurial and flexible atmosphere where self-initiative is highly appreciated.
• A company environment that is serious about having fun with everything we do
• The opportunity to make our world a little better

Important details

Candidates must have the right to live and work in China. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.