Business Manager - Asia

About BII

British International Investment (BII) is the UK’s leading development finance institution, wholly owned by the UK Government. Our primary mission is to address global development challenges through strategic investments that promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

BII focuses on catalysing economic development, creating jobs, and building resilient economies in some of the world's most complex and underserved markets. We invest in businesses and projects that prioritise inclusive development, environmental sustainability, and innovation.

Our approach is characterised by rigorous investment standards, high governance principles, and a commitment to delivering measurable development impact. Our team consists of highly skilled and passionate professionals dedicated to making a tangible difference globally.

We foster a collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment that values curiosity, innovation, and professional growth. Our culture balances high performance with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, ensuring our employees can achieve their full potential while contributing to our mission.

BII at a glance:

Over 75 years supporting sustainable business growth in developing and emerging markets

More than £9.9 billion in net assets

1,600+ businesses invested in

950,000+ workers in the businesses we support

650+ people in our diverse global team

3 key development objectives: Productive | Sustainable | Inclusive

Purpose

The role of Business Manager will be to work closely with the Head of India as well as provide support to the broader the Asia management team, as needed. The role will be varied and includes:

Working with the Head of India, and providing support to the broader Asia management team as needed, the Business Manager will:

Support the build out and development of BII’s operating model and in market presence and capabilities as the organisation embarks on its next stage of growth and will support the development of wider Asia coverage strategy.

Play an essential hands-on role in managing the day-to-day operational activities for the Asia offices, including strategic, financial and resource planning, in support of BII’s strategy and execution of the wider business plan.

Provide support to the Head of India and the Asia Management Team collating and synthesising information for various senior management fora and key external stakeholders (FCDO, MLBs, NGOs, local partners)

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities of the Business Manager (but are not limited to):

• Support MDs in the management of teams as well as in role as ExCo and investment committee members
• Support policy/materials preparation for MCo, ExCo, and Board meetings
• Support periodical management meetings: agenda setting, ensuring timely and quality input of the meeting; arranging external participants; keeping track of delivery on action items etc.  
• Help management in organizing and preparing briefing notes, presentations, events and conferences internally and externally
• Support coordination within BII across initiatives and Portfolio Review Meetings

Support Asia Coverage 

• Support work streams and high-profile projects that sit within the respective teams, incl. strategic projects and change management such as developing the Operating Model in partnership with the Corporate Strategy team
• Ensuring coordination with Communications CRO and CFO offices for firmwide initiatives (e.g. investment operations, PMAR).

Enhance investment pipeline and portfolio management coordination

• Support pipeline and portfolio engagement across sector groups and Asia coverage
• Monitor operational risks that may surface across the pipeline and portfolio
• Gather and coordinate market intelligence and share with teams and investees (as appropriate)

Work with BII impact and investment leads to drive strategy and pipeline development in the areas of food security, gender finance, climate finance, BOLD, SME finance and microfinance

• Support the establishment and running of strategic working groups across verticals
• Support the MDs in their roles as ExCo sponsors for gender and diversity finance
• Provide support to deliver on climate and gender finance commitment

These responsibilities will vary to some extent depending on activities and evolving priorities across Asia and will, of necessity, remain flexible as workplans evolve.

The candidate

Background, skills, aptitude

• Strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and team coordination skills
• Relevant experience within a DFI in investments, business strategy, impact or investment support function
• Strong pipeline and portfolio management skills and understanding of BII investment products (equity, debt, trade finance, intermediated credit, funds)
• Previous similar experience as Business Manager, Operations Lead, Chief of Staff, Advisor or equivalent within a DFI/ international organization/ investment function
• Industry exposure to financial services (bank or non-bank), gained for example in MDB/DFIs, international organizations, FinTech, or investment banking
• Strong understanding of the DFI landscape, impact goals (including gender and climate), BII’s business model and impact investment products for financial services
• Relevant degree in economics or related field/MBA or equivalent

Essential Skills and Attributes

• High emotional intelligence: Allows for excellent relationship management with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactive and resilient: The ability to anticipate potential issues, remain calm under pressure, and quickly adapt to a fast-paced environment is critical.
• Strategic and business acumen: Successful candidates must have a business mindset and understand how their work contributes to the bigger picture.
• Exceptional communication skills: This includes strong written and verbal abilities to interact with stakeholders at all levels, and to represent the MD's "voice". (advanced MS Office skills, in particular PowerPoint and Excel)
• Strong organizational and time-management skills

Our cultural values

We look for team members who aspire, as we do, to work at our best and to be:

• Impact-led, commercially rigorous
• Tenacious in the face of challenges
• Collaborative and caring

British International Investment is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. 

Please provide a cover letter with your application