Senior Business Development Manager

Job Title: Senior Business Development Manager

Location: Zürich, Switzerland

At abrdn, enabling our clients to be better investors drives everything we do.

Through the expertise, insight, and innovation of our team, we aim to help clients create more ways for money to make an impact. We set our sights on giving them more confidence to achieve their goals, and more clarity about what they need next. And we focus on delivering outcomes that are more than just financial – by investing responsibly to build a better world.

The Business Development team covers the business of distribution in Switzerland and its function is to generate new client relationships and to maintain and expand the existing relationships. The team consists of a number of sales professionals each with an allocated sector/geographic responsibility.

You will support the development and growth of abrdn Investments Switzerland (aIS) . They will assist in the development of aIS’s brand and hence grow the external client base by developing key relationships across Switzerland.

The role holder will work closely with the Swiss Business Development team and will also interact with divisions across the abrdn Group including investment specialists, Marketing and Client Relationship services.

This person will need to be based in Zürich and would report to the Head of Switzerland.

Key Outcomes

Build relationships with the Business Development Managers (BDMs) and provide on-going dedicated contact to ensure they receive timely updates on investment products, funds, market trends and competitor performance

Sourcing new prospects and client relationships within the tier 2/ tier 3 client business remit

Assist with the collation of business plans, key account plans, joint consultant plans and joint client plans of the BDMs

Support the BDMs and independently covers pitch preparation for key opportunities through sitting in or pitch rehearsals, identifying strengths or issues of importance to the target

Support the organisation of internal BD forums and conferences (e.g. logistics, preparing invites, agendas, presentation materials etc.)

To work closely with the BD team in order to achieve a market leading profile through various media routes

Provides an exceptional client experience through both flexibility and a focus on client needs at all times in line with the Company's TCF policy

Co-ordinate the research activities of Marketing, RFPs & Presentations and other teams and proactively share information with BD colleagues and the BDMs

Candidate Experience

Good understanding of the Swiss Institutional and wholesale marketplace

Good understanding of the Swiss Regulatory Environment

Awareness of key players and competitors in Swiss investment market

Understanding how global financial institutions work and trade

Fluent in English as well as Swiss-German (written and spoken)

Previous experience in Relationship management role – telephone based although face to face hosting of client meetings may become part of the role

Process and systems knowledge, especially Salesforce and Outlook

Proactively contribute to the sales effort, and delivery of sales targets

Strong work ethic – enjoys working at pace and is accountable for actions

Moreover, we recognise that supplementary skills beyond the minimum criteria can greatly enhance your success in this position. It would be beneficial if:

Ideally the successful candidate should hold / have started a Swiss or equivalent European Investment qualification

Registered in the Swiss Client Advisory Register (FIDLEG/FINIG)

Talents

Networking- builds a range of contacts both internally and externally and uses their knowledge to gain business advantage

Teamwork – is supportive of colleagues and is willing to share ideas and listen to others

Information gathering – knows where to get relevant information from and will make use of all available sources

Planning & organising – schedules daily work and does not rely on others to prioritise activities

Client focus – maintains focus on client needs at all times and is flexible when trying to meet and exceed client expectations

Communicating & influencing – explains things clearly whether verbally or in writing and can present to a wide audience using an appropriate style and tone

Preference for Action – takes ownership for work and will see things through

Responsibility – demonstrates strong work ethic and takes initiative to meet client needs. Looks for opportunities to create value for the client

Tenacity – copes well with high volumes of work and thrives in a fast paced work environment

An inclusive way of working

Whatever way you like to work, if you have the talent and commitment to join our team, we’d like to hear from you.

At abrdn we’ve adopted a ‘blended working’ approach. This approach combines the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, coaching and connecting in our offices with the flexibility of working from home. It enables colleagues to find a balance that works for their roles, their teams, our clients and our business.

An inclusive culture, where diverse perspectives drive our actions, is at the core of who we are and what we do. If you need assistance with your application, or a reasonable adjustment to your interview arrangements – for example, because you are neurodivergent, or have a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental, visible or invisible disability – please let us know and we’ll be happy to help.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone.

If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.

R0071622