Head of Business Development

In partnership with our client, we are seeking a Head of Business Development to define and execute a firm-wide business development strategy for a leading asset management company. You will drive AUM and revenue growth, lead a high-performing BD team, build institutional partnerships, and position the firm for long-term commercial success. This is a senior executive role for a strategic, commercially driven leader with deep roots in asset management or institutional sales who knows how to grow a firm's book of business with discipline, integrity, and ambition. If you are ready to lead from the front and build something exceptional, we want to meet you.

• Who are we looking for?
• You are a senior business development leader with a minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in business development or institutional sales leadership within asset management, private banking, or related financial services industries.
• You are strategically minded and commercially driven, with a proven record of leading teams to deliver firm-level AUM and revenue growth at scale.
• You are an exceptional communicator and influencer, able to represent the firm externally in strategic negotiations and partnership forums with credibility and presence.
• You are a strong people leader who empowers and holds team members accountable through clear metrics, structured feedback, and a culture of discipline, collaboration, and learning.
• You are analytically sharp, comfortable monitoring AUM, conversion, and revenue data and translating those insights into strategic decisions that move the business forward.
• You are proactive and forward-looking, able to anticipate market shifts and position the BD function to respond before others do.
• You bring a postgraduate qualification and a track record of compliance with regulatory and governance standards in a financial services environment.

Your Responsibilities…

Business Development Strategy and Execution

• You will define and execute the firm-wide business development strategy, integrating market intelligence, product innovation, and institutional partnerships to drive sustainable AUM and revenue growth year on year.
• You will lead client segmentation and resource allocation processes to optimise growth across all business lines and client segments.
• You will develop and implement strategic initiatives that enhance brand visibility, market share, and client satisfaction in line with the firm's commercial objectives.
• You will launch at least two new product distribution initiatives annually, ensuring each generates measurable and reportable inflows.

Commercial Performance and Pipeline Management

• You will oversee the commercial performance of all BD personnel and segments, maintaining a pipeline coverage ratio of at least 3x aggregate inflow targets at all times.
• You will monitor AUM, conversion, and revenue data regularly, using those insights to drive strategic decisions and corrective actions where performance gaps emerge.
• You will achieve quarterly net inflows meeting or exceeding defined targets and maintain client retention at defined levels through proactive relationship management and service excellence.

Stakeholder and Partnership Management

• You will represent the firm externally in strategic negotiations, partnership forums, and client engagements, building the relationships and alliances that support long-term commercial growth.
• You will collaborate cross-functionally with investment, compliance, operations, and marketing teams to ensure BD strategy is always aligned with the firm's broader objectives and regulatory requirements.
• You will ensure 100% compliance with internal and SEC governance standards across all business development activities.

Team Leadership and Capability Development

• You will lead, develop, and inspire the BD team, setting clear goals and performance expectations and holding team members accountable through structured metrics and feedback.
• You will champion continuous capability development within the BD team, building a pipeline of talent that strengthens the function over time.
• You will foster a culture of discipline, collaboration, and high performance that reflects the firm's values and drives consistent commercial results.

What Success looks like…

• Firm-wide AUM growth delivered at defined target levels year on year, with client retention maintained above defined percentage levels.
• Quarterly net inflows meeting or exceeding defined targets, with a pipeline coverage ratio of at least 3x aggregate inflow targets maintained consistently.
• At least two new product distribution initiatives launched annually, each generating measurable and reportable inflows within the year.
• 100% compliance with internal and SEC governance standards across all BD activities, with no material regulatory findings or governance breaches.
• A high-performing BD team with a clearly defined average conversion rate, structured development programmes, and a strong succession pipeline.
• Enhanced brand visibility, market share, and client satisfaction driven by strategic initiatives that create sustainable competitive differentiation.

To be considered for this role you should have…

• A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in business development or institutional sales leadership within asset management, private banking, or related financial services industries.
• A proven record of leading teams to deliver firm-level AUM and revenue growth in a regulated financial services environment.
• Exceptional strategic, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the organisation and with external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership presence, stakeholder management ability, and a track record of building and developing high-performing commercial teams.
• Deep understanding of SEC governance standards and regulatory compliance requirements within the Nigerian financial services industry.

Challenges you may face in this role…

• Driving consistent AUM and revenue growth in a competitive asset management landscape where client confidence, market conditions, and product differentiation all shift continuously.
• Building and maintaining a high-conversion pipeline while simultaneously leading a team, managing stakeholder relationships, and contributing to firm-wide strategic decisions.
• Launching new product distribution initiatives successfully in a regulated environment where compliance, market timing, and client readiness all need to align.
• Developing and retaining BD talent in a market where experienced financial services professionals are in high demand and often well-served by competing firms.
• Maintaining 100% regulatory compliance across all BD activities while operating at the pace and ambition required to hit aggressive commercial targets.

The Goodies…

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A senior executive role at the commercial heart of a respected and growing asset management firm.
• The opportunity to shape firm-wide strategy, build institutional partnerships, and lead a high-performing BD function that directly drives the firm's growth trajectory.
• A high-integrity, performance-driven environment where your leadership, strategic thinking, and commercial impact are genuinely valued at the highest level of the organisation.