Director, Financial Services

Who We Are

BowerGroupAsia,Inc. is the premier strategic affairs and public policy firm supporting the world’s leading multinational companies in the Indo-Pacific region and Africa. With a presence in over 30 countries, BGA staff provide bespoke services to clients across the region. BGA’s Business Development Team has responsibility for engaging the world’s leading companies and organizations and crafting strategic solutions that advance their business priorities. We seek a talented, highly motivated Director for Financial Services, based in Singapore, to work alongside the Sector Lead in overseeing the practice.

The candidate should be motivated to help the world’s premier companies understand Asia and Africa, find alignment with customers, communities, and key stakeholders by considering the ideas and capabilities of top-tier companies that want to invest. This position will report to the current Financial Services and Fintech Sector Lead.

Position Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as a senior relationship manager for assigned regional financial services client relationships by ensuring best-in-class advisory service, products and analysis, and by nurturing relationships, focusing on people and building trust. Manage these relationships with a view to annual renewal.
• Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of each assigned client's business, organization, key relationships, and engagements with BGA, serving as a central point of knowledge and coordination.
• Maintain a strong understanding of developments across the financial services sector, including key stakeholders, market trends, client activity, BGA's current work and the type of financial services business BGA is seeking to build as defined by the sector strategy.
• Ensure all client interactions are appropriately documented, and client records are kept current.

Client Delivery and Internal Coordination

• Lead the delivery of high-quality services and products for assigned clients by:
• Working closely with country team leads and other internal stakeholders to set expectations and goals, establish clear areas of responsibility and accountability, and align execution across client work.
• Leading the substance and structure of deliverables for regional clients, including how they are framed, argued, and assembled from country and practice inputs.

• Prompting, joining, and leading client meetings where necessary, especially for regional clients.
• Preparing teams before client interactions to align on messaging and ensure meetings are well-structured.
• Bringing an original perspective, intelligence, and insight, drawing on a deep understanding of BGA, the region and the sector.

Business Development

• Support business development for the financial services sector, leveraging a Singapore base to build and nurture networks and relationships that serve existing clients and expand the portfolio. This entails:
• Growing client and industry networks.
• Meeting with and maintaining communications with potential clients and sharing targeted marketing material.
• Developing scopes of work and innovative offerings for clients and prospects, in coordination with the Sector Lead.
• Represent the company at meetings and events and contribute to public-facing activities around the region.
• Develop and execute the Sector’s business development initiatives in specific sub-sectors.

Analysis, Thought Leadership and Market Positioning

• Contribute to BGA's political-economic risk analysis, forecasting, and government affairs and public policy strategizing through written products and client briefings. This includes:
• Half-yearly reports.
• Working with specific internal practices, including Global Economics and Trade Practice, to develop joint thought leadership and identify commercial opportunities.
• Helping shape and strengthen BGA's voice and market positioning in the financial services sector alongside the Sector Lead.
• Help build financial services sector expertise among colleagues in key markets by sharing best practices, strengthening collaboration across teams, and contributing to BGA's capacity to serve clients and pursue new opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to position the financial services team and BGA personnel in their expert capacity to reach clients and stakeholders.

Requirements

Thedirector’s position combines client relations with the skills and responsibilities required for internal management and leadership. The ideal candidate can work independently with minimal supervision and collaborate effectively as a team player in high-pressure situations. He or she can effectively manage multiple work streams while meeting deadlines and should be highly self-motivated, well-organized, detail-oriented, and collegial. She/He should feel comfortable interacting with a range of interlocutors and should enjoy the various challenges of supporting large multinational corporations operating in the Indo-Pacific. The ability to interact effectively both internally and externally in a fast-paced environment while remaining flexible, proactive, and efficient is crucial to this role.

Qualifications Include:

• A keen understanding of the geopolitical and regulatory environment in the Indo-Pacific and how to navigate it on behalf of clients is required.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in fluent English; proficiency in an Asian language is a strong plus.
• Education: Minimum bachelor’s degree; graduate degree in business, public policy, public affairs, international affairs, journalism, or related fields is preferred.
• 5-10 years of experience in government, multinational corporations, journalism, and/or consulting in the Financial Services sector is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in and passion for finance and regulatory policy, fintech, or closely related fields.
• Aptitude for public speaking and project presentations and engaging confidently and thoughtfully with corporate representatives of various levels, civil society, and the media.
• Superb and self-confident interpersonal skills, including with international counterparts.
• Proficiency in MS Office and basic internet applications is required, as is enthusiasm and ability to learn and adopt new technologies.