The Country Head is required to partner with Singapore companies on their internationalisation journey through helping them take the first step overseas, advising on the latest developments and sectoral opportunities in the overseas markets, facilitating their businesses to enlarge their global footprint, providing assistance in strengthening their foothold in foreign markets. Success in this role will require you to know the markets well, formulate market and sectoral strategies as well as engaging both Singapore and foreign companies for the betterment of their businesses. This role reports to the Director of South Asia, Middle East and Africa Group, International Business Division (SAMEA, IBD)

Job Responsibilities:

1. Leadership 

• Lead, train and guide regional team members to develop market strategies in the region and achieve respective KPIs.
• Develop capabilities of team members to be effective in their roles
• Map out career paths for team members to organization career opportunities to reach their potential and meet their aspirations.

2. Relationship Development and Management

• Forming and maintaining connections with Singapore and foreign companies as well as political officeholders to realize the objectives and goals of SBF and SAMEA, IBD
• Develop strong working relations with internal stakeholders and colleagues to ensure effective collaboration and deliver customer-centric solutions. 

3. Regional and Market Knowledge and Business Connections

• Gain in-depth knowledge of South Asian Region
• Initiate and plan research (desktop, insights from market business leaders and in-market) on markets, conduct market scans, develop prioritization plans and identify key findings that have implications for companies, industries, or the Singapore business community in general.
• Formulate, strategize and articulate in a clear and concise manner the team’s targets, market prioritization strategies, implementation plans and outcomes.
• Formulate partnerships with Business Leaders to generate revenue for SBF’s services.

4. Excellence in Customer Experience

• Facilitating discussions with internal departments and external partners to understand requirements, oversee and execute all events, seminars, roundtables, incoming and outgoing business missions to meet department goals and objectives.
• Lead and/or partake in the planning and organising SBF Global events within resource allocation, timeline and budget as assigned.
• Collate, analyse and report outcome and data relating to all events above.
• Operationalise activities aimed at building awareness and deep understanding of portfolio markets, motivating business development and expansion actions by member companies.
• Engage Singapore companies that match your region’s prioritized sectors to understand their international growth plans, assist and facilitate their market entry and access through explaining market information and culture, business matching, partnerships, investment and in-market setup.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with local and overseas market entry partners to build SBF’s eco-system to strengthen our capabilities and knowledge in the overseas markets and access to in-market connections.
• Develop overseas project opportunities and facilitate discussions between foreign clients/partners with Singapore companies.
• Generate interests and participation from Singapore companies for all SBF and department related activities and from foreign clients and partners to better the business opportunities for Singapore companies.

5. Secretariat Duties

• Write country briefs and talking points for internal stakeholders.
• Hosting of political office holders and attending events related to the regional and as assigned.
• Maintain and build positive relationships with key stakeholders; and provide administrative support to assigned Business Councils, Business Groups, Trade Associations and Chambers in Singapore/overseas and SBF members.

Job Requirements:

• A minimum of 10 years relevant work experience as of which 4 years in management with at least 5 years in international business development
• A good knowledge and experience in South Asia Markets, businesses and connections preferred.
• Ability to research and understand factors impacting the international business environment.
• Ability to handle cross cultural differences in a respectful manner and can communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Inquisitive, open to new ideas, a self-starter who is adaptable to new situations, take lead and able to multitask.
• Good organisational and coordinating abilities, with good interpersonal skills who can work well with other team players.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English