New Business Development Manager (PoC Execution & Portfolio Value Creation) - Japanese speaking

OVERVIEW

Our client is an investment company focused on identifying growth opportunities, supporting portfolio companies, and creating new business ventures across Asia. The organization works closely with management teams and partners to accelerate growth and drive long-term value creation. They are seeking a hands-on business development professional to support both new venture creation and portfolio company growth initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leadership to transform business ideas into validated opportunities through Proof of Concept (PoC) projects while also supporting portfolio companies in business development, partnership building, and market expansion.

The ideal candidate enjoys operating in ambiguous environments, taking ownership from strategy through execution, and working directly with stakeholders across multiple markets.

Location

Singapore or Malaysia (subject to discussion during the interview process)

Visa sponsorship available for Malaysia-based hires.
Candidates considered for a Singapore-based role must have work authorization in Singapore.

Key Responsibilities

1. New Venture & PoC Development

• Conduct market research, regulatory assessments, and feasibility studies

• Identify and evaluate potential PoC locations, partners, and opportunities

• Develop project plans, KPIs, budgets, timelines, and success metrics

• Coordinate external specialists, consultants, and technical partners

• Lead the setup and execution of pilot projects and real-world testing initiatives

• Monitor project progress, quality, cost, and operational risks

• Troubleshoot challenges and drive solutions in fast-changing environments

• Gather and analyze data from pilot projects and present findings to management

• Develop recommendations regarding commercialization, partnerships, investment, scaling, or next-stage development

2. Portfolio Company Support

• Support portfolio companies with business development and client acquisition efforts

• Facilitate introductions to potential customers, partners, and strategic stakeholders

• Assist with market expansion initiatives across Southeast Asia

• Help strengthen commercial networks and partnership ecosystems

• Support growth initiatives, strategic collaborations, and go-to-market activities

Requirements

• Experience in at least one of the following:

  • Business development

  • New business creation

  • Strategy or management consulting

  • Project management

  • Startup environments

• Ability to operate effectively in uncertain and fast-paced settings

• Experience managing multiple stakeholders and driving projects forward

• Strong execution mindset with the ability to move beyond planning into implementation

• Ability to develop basic business cases, KPIs, budgets, and project plans

• Professional-level Japanese and English language skills to liaise with the Japanese speaking stakeholders

• Willingness to travel internationally when required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience launching PoCs, pilot projects, or market validation initiatives

• Experience building new businesses or programs from scratch

• Background in startups, consulting, trading companies, corporate business development, venture capital, or private equity

• Experience working with overseas partners and cross-border projects

• Business-level English proficiency

• Exposure to industries such as manufacturing, food, agriculture, environmental solutions, biotechnology, or other operationally intensive sectors

• Experience in financial modeling, unit economics, or business planning

• Experience leveraging AI tools for research, analysis, and workflow optimization

Ideal Candidate

• Thrives in entrepreneurial and unstructured environments

• Proactively identifies opportunities and drives action independently

• Comfortable rolling up their sleeves and working directly on implementation

• Makes decisions based on facts, data, and measurable outcomes

• Balances speed, quality, and risk management effectively

• Builds trusted relationships with experts, operators, and stakeholders

• Interested in creating commercially sustainable solutions with long-term impact