Business Development Manager (KOL & Brand Partnerships)

We're The Branding People , a Malaysia-based digital marketing agency serving brands across Southeast Asia. We turn insights into strategy, strategy into creative work, and creative work into measurable impact . We're looking for a commercially minded Business Development Manager (Sponsorships & Brand Partnerships) to grow our network of KOLs and talent, identify sponsorship and collaboration opportunities, and turn promising connections into successful partnerships. You'll manage relationships with existing and prospective talents, explore opportunities with brands and event organisers, negotiate commercial terms, and coordinate partnership activations with internal stakeholders. This role suits someone who enjoys networking, spotting opportunities, negotiating deals and seeing projects through to completion. What You'll Be Crafting Manage KOL and talent relationships: Maintain strong relationships with existing talents while scouting and onboarding new KOLs and creators aligned with business needs. Source sponsorship and collaboration opportunities: Identify relevant events, brands, partnerships and commercial opportunities through proactive outreach, networking and market research. Negotiate and close deals: Lead discussions with talents, brands and potential partners, negotiate terms and follow through to confirmed agreements. Coordinate partnership activations: Work with internal stakeholders to plan and execute sponsorships, collaborations and event-related activiti