Head of Partnership Development Asia
Head of Partnerships, Asia at Art Basel
Application deadline: Not specified
Salary: Not specified
Experience required: At least 10 years
Language: Fluency in English; additional Asian languages are an advantage
The Role
Art Basel is seeking an experienced partnerships and business development leader to drive its commercial strategy across Asia.
The successful candidate will lead the regional portfolio of partnership prospects across key Asian markets, developing relationships with brands whose ambitions align with Art Basel’s global cultural platform and year-round activities.
Acting as Art Basel’s senior commercial representative in Asia, they will manage relationships with C-suite and senior decision-makers across luxury, lifestyle, technology and other relevant industries.
The role involves developing and securing high-value, multi-market and multi-year partnerships that extend beyond any single Art Basel show. It also includes overseeing the wider Asia sales team and positioning the region as an important contributor to Art Basel’s global commercial growth.
Client Acquisition and Relationship Management
The successful candidate will:
- Lead Art Basel’s regional portfolio of partnership prospects across key Asian markets
- Identify brands aligned with Art Basel’s global cultural platform and year-round ecosystem
- Develop senior relationships with leading regional and international brands
- Personally manage relationships across the luxury, lifestyle, technology and related sectors
- Oversee relationship ownership across the wider Asia sales team
- Lead complex and high-value partnership negotiations
- Manage senior-level outreach, pitching, relationship development and contract closure
- Secure multi-market and multi-year partnerships
- Build long-term relationships with C-suite and senior regional and global decision-makers
- Represent Art Basel’s commercial interests across Asia
Sales Strategy and Execution
The role will involve:
- Defining and implementing annual sales strategies for Art Basel Hong Kong
- Developing quarterly sales plans aligned with Art Basel’s global partnership strategy
- Prioritising high-impact, high-margin and long-term partnerships
- Contributing to global acquisition targets through partnerships developed and secured in Asia
- Generating opportunities across Art Basel’s shows and international initiatives
- Identifying commercial opportunities emerging from Asian markets
- Developing new sources of revenue with relevance to Art Basel’s wider global business
- Preparing high-impact pitch materials, proposals and executive presentations
- Overseeing the regional team’s sales materials to ensure consistency and quality
- Maintaining accurate records of client activity, proposals and sales pipelines
- Managing forecasting and reporting through Salesforce
Partnership Proposals and Bespoke Solutions
The successful candidate will work with colleagues across Commercial Strategy, Show Management, Marketing, VIP Relations and other departments to develop tailored partnership concepts.
They will:
- Align partner objectives with Art Basel’s programmes, audiences and international ambitions
- Develop partnerships that generate measurable cultural, brand and commercial value
- Apply a strategic and client-focused approach to proposal development
- Refine sales materials, partnership frameworks and strategic presentations
- Incorporate knowledge and insights from Asian markets into global partnership planning
- Monitor developments across Asian and international industries
- Identify emerging trends that could inform new partnership categories and models
Leadership and Collaboration
The role requires active leadership and close collaboration with teams across Art Basel’s international organisation.
Responsibilities will include:
- Leading and developing sales talent within the Asia region
- Building a high-performing regional sales team
- Collaborating with the global sales team across regions, sectors and Art Basel shows
- Sharing market intelligence and commercial best practices from Asia
- Working with the Partnership Management team to ensure a smooth transition from sales to delivery
- Coordinating with internal departments on partnerships originating in Asia
- Positioning Asia as a strategic commercial market contributing to Art Basel’s global growth
Experience and Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- At least 10 years of experience in brand partnerships, sponsorship sales or business development
- Significant experience managing senior, multi-market partnerships within Asia’s luxury sector
- A demonstrated record of sourcing, negotiating and securing high-value partnership agreements
- Experience developing partnerships with both regional and international scope
- Experience leading sales professionals and building effective regional teams
- The ability to create persuasive proposals for senior audiences
- Experience presenting to C-suite executives and other senior decision-makers
- Strong communication, relationship-building and commercial storytelling skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint
- Experience using Salesforce or an equivalent customer relationship management platform
- Fluency in English
Knowledge of additional Asian languages is considered a strong advantage.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, international and highly matrixed organisation.
They should demonstrate:
- Strong commercial judgement
- A strategic and client-focused approach
- Confidence managing complex senior relationships
- The ability to coordinate across departments and international locations
- An understanding of Asian luxury and consumer markets
- A genuine interest in contemporary culture, creativity and international cultural platforms
About Art Basel
Art Basel organises leading international art fairs for Modern and contemporary art, connecting galleries, collectors, curators, artists and broader cultural audiences.
Its Hong Kong fair brings together galleries from Asia and other regions, presenting the diversity of artistic practices across the Asia-Pacific alongside international perspectives on Modern and contemporary art.
Through its fairs and year-round initiatives, Art Basel operates at the intersection of culture, creativity and commerce, contributing to conversations and experiences shaping the future of the arts.
Note: To read the complete job description and apply, please visit the link below.