Client Development Manager

Job Description:
Situated in the heart of Singapore's Central Business District, Rakuten Asia Pte. Ltd. is Rakuten's Asia Regional headquarters. Established in August 2012 as part of Rakuten's global expansion strategy, Rakuten Asia comprises various businesses that provide essential value-added services to Rakuten's global ecosystem. Through advertisement product development, product strategy, and data management, among others, Rakuten Asia is strengthening Rakuten Group's core competencies to take the lead in an increasingly digitalized world.

Rakuten Group, Inc. is a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses, and society. Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications to approximately 1.7 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has nearly 32,000 employees and operations in 30 countries and regions. For more information visit

Rakuten Advertising’s award-winning Affiliate business seeks a motivated Client Development Manager (CDM) with affiliate marketing/sales experience to join its growing APAC sales team. The CDM will focus on acquiring top-tier new customers and maintaining relationships with key decision-makers in major e-commerce companies and digital advertisers across Asia. Responsibilities include developing relationships with senior marketing and digital team contacts, presenting solutions to enhance online sales, acquire new customers, and optimize performance to exceed assigned quotas.

Roles and Responsibilities
- Sales_
- Focus on acquiring new top-tier customers for Rakuten Advertising’s affiliate solutions.
- Build and nurture relationships with regional and local contacts within the marketing and digital teams of leading e-commerce companies and digital advertisers throughout APAC, particularly in Southeast Asia and India.
- Generate new revenue opportunities, build client relationships, and execute sales plans to exceed monthly and annual goals.
- Identify, qualify, pitch, and close new business with direct advertisers.
- Conduct high-volume sales activities including cold calls, presentations, and proposals.
- Represent Rakuten Advertising at trade shows, seminars, and industry events.
- Formulate and deliver strategic presentations.
- Sell major new accounts within timely sales cycles while maintaining an active pipeline.
- Exceed all sales and revenue targets.
- Travel as required to support business objectives (prospect/client meetings, conferences, and internal meetings).
- Strategy_
- Lead sales strategies and execution for Rakuten Advertising’s affiliate business in the market.
- Develop deep strategic partnerships with advertisers and agencies to promote Rakuten Advertising’s affiliate solutions.
- Collaborate with Commercial Director and VP, SVP stakeholders to ensure product development aligns with market needs.
- Monitor competitor activities and market trends to inform strategic decisions.
- Develop strategies aligned with client goals and KPIs.
- Regularly participate in sales and account management activities as well as industry events.

Key requirements

Technical/Functional Expertise:

- 5+ years of direct strategic sales experience in a consultative sales environment targeting at large companies, direct brands and/or agencies
- 3+ years of experience in affiliate and/or ad digital sales.
- Bachelor's degree or higher qualification desirable.
- Deep expertise and strong network in South East Asia and India.
- Proven success in consultative selling, consistently exceeding revenue goals.
- Experience selling ad-tech, mar-tech, or software solutions to C-level executives.
- Experience in Multi-branded Retail, Luxury, and Travel verticals is advantageous.
- Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
- Proficiency in market analysis and data interpretation.
- Proficient in using CRM systems, preferably Salesforce.
- Strong skills in Excel and PowerPoint for client-ready reports and presentations.

Personal and Professional Skills:

- Excellent digital sales knowledge and established network.
- Adaptable to fast-moving environments with a proactive and industrious approach.
- Self-motivated, high-performing, and solutions-driven.
- Outstanding negotiation, sales, and presentation skills.
- Ability to sell across multiple products and services.
- Established relationships with senior/CMO level contacts.
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation, oral, and written communication skills.
- Confident in communicating with senior executives.
- Strong planning, strategic negotiation, and closing skills.
- Tenacious with a diligent work ethic, able to remove ambiguity for positive outcomes.
- Strong commercial awareness and acumen.
- Deep curiosity and knowledge of eCommerce, media, and ad technology.