APAC Regional Business Development Director (Venue/Partnerships)

Key Responsibilities

Venue Sourcing & Strategy

• Develop and lead the venue sourcing strategy across corporate, government, commercial, and experiential projects.
• Identify, evaluate, and secure suitable venues based on client objectives, audience requirements, technical specifications, and budget considerations.
• Conduct site inspections and feasibility assessments, including venue capabilities, accessibility, logistics, operational requirements, and compliance considerations.
• Stay informed of new venue openings, market developments, and industry trends to expand sourcing opportunities and maintain a competitive edge.
• Develop venue recommendations, proposals, and presentation materials for client pitches, tenders, and business development initiatives.

Commercial & Partnership Management

• Negotiate venue contracts, pricing structures, concessions, and commercial terms to achieve optimal outcomes for clients and the business.
• Establish and maintain relationships with hotels, convention centres, event venues, attractions, landlords, venue operators, and hospitality partners.
• Develop and manage supplier programmes and strategic venue partnerships across key markets.
• Monitor venue-related budgets, cost-saving initiatives, and project profitability to maximize commercial performance.
• Oversee contract management and ensure all venue agreements align with company requirements and risk policies.

Team Leadership & Regional Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small regional venue sourcing team located across multiple markets.
• Drive collaboration and consistency in sourcing processes, vendor management standards, and service delivery across the region.
• Manage team performance, resource allocation, workload planning, and professional development.
• Foster a high-performance culture through coaching, knowledge sharing, and best-practice implementation.
• Support business growth initiatives and market expansion opportunities by strengthening venue networks across Asia.

Cross-Functional & Operational Collaboration

• Partner closely with sales, project management, creative, and production teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide venue expertise during proposal development, budgeting, planning, and event execution stages.
• Ensure venue-related risks, permits, insurance requirements, and safety regulations are appropriately managed.
• Maintain and continuously improve venue databases, supplier records, and sourcing systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in venue sourcing, event management, hospitality sales, MICE, or a related field.
• Proven track record of securing venues for large-scale conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, and experiential activations.
• Good commercial acumen with excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Established network within the event, hospitality, venue, and MICE industries.
• Experience managing and developing small teams, including remote or regionally based employees.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-border collaborations and managing stakeholders across different cultures and markets.
• Solid understanding of venue operations, event logistics, compliance, and risk management.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.