Manager, Sales & Partnership

A. Overall Purpose Of The Job

Aspire Lifestyles is a leading global provider of Concierge and Loyalty solution services to client segments in banking, payments, insurance, luxury retail, automobile and luxury property.

This role is primarily responsible for driving new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, managing selected key accounts, and contributing to the overall commercial growth of Aspire Lifestyles Malaysia.

The incumbent is expected to independently generate sales opportunities, build and maintain a healthy pipeline, secure new partnerships, identify growth opportunities within existing accounts, and achieve individual business targets. Strong ownership, accountability, commercial acumen, and stakeholder management capabilities are critical for success in this role.

B. Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Achieve individual sales and gross profit targets assigned by management.
• Develop and maintain a healthy sales pipeline through active prospecting and networking.
• Identify and generate new business opportunities across banking, insurance, payments, automotive, lifestyle, hospitality, retail and luxury sectors.
• Conduct client, prospect and stakeholder meetings independently.
• Prepare and deliver proposals, presentations and commercial recommendations.

Account Management

• Own and manage key client accounts, and achieve/exceed Gross Profit target set for the year
• Investigate new business opportunities within existing accounts and secure new business in line with country's budget strategies and forecasting.
• Conduct regular business reviews with clients on key account plans - these meetings are to discuss business or operational issues and identify new opportunities to drive portfolio improvement. Leverage these meetings to promote and cross-sell new Aspire products & services.
• Proactively identify upselling, cross-selling and expansion opportunities.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships and ensure timely communication.
• Ensure client issues, escalations and operational concerns are addressed promptly.

Partnership Development

• Achieving business goals, individual sales and revenue/gross profit targets assigned by management to support Malaysia.
• Develop and manage a regional partner network with luxury, travel, dining, retail, and media partners to enhance access and offering.
• Negotiate and establish specific partner agreed deliverables, promotions, discounts & special offer or preferential treatment.
• Planning, evaluating, and optimizing regional partner workflow to be efficient
• Develop custom benefits and experiences to meet the requirements of our concierge services, clients and customers needs.

Internal Collaboration & Governance

• Provide timely and accurate weekly reporting.
• Maintain visibility of pipeline, account activities and partnership status.
• Work closely with Operations, Finance, Marketing and Regional teams.
• Attend all internal meetings and training sessions as required.
• Support special projects and commercial initiatives assigned by management.

C. Job Profile

Required Work Experience

• Min. 5-7 years of Business Development, Sales, Account Management or relevant merchant acquisition, marketing, loyalty, account management experience from Cards, Loyalty & Rewards Program, Ad Agency, Travel, Tourism, Hospitality.
• Merchant acquisition, partnership experience and good network of partner relationships across dining, retail, travel and other affluent lifestyle categories
• Experiential and event management experience serving the affluent segment
• Proven track record in achieving sales or revenue targets.

Required Competencies

Commercial & Sales

• Strong hunter mentality with proven business development capabilities.
• Strong commercial acumen and revenue-growth mindset.
• Ability to identify opportunities and convert them into revenue.
• Strong presentation, negotiation and closing skills.

Stakeholder Management

• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Experience dealing with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ownership & Accountability

• High level of personal ownership and accountability.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong follow-through and execution capabilities.
• Proactive problem-solving mindset.

Planning & Organization

• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• High attention to detail and reporting discipline.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.