Job Title
Manager, Business Operations
Job Description Summary
Cushman & Wakefield is a trusted partner for Occupiers and Investors to manage their capital expenditure and project delivery in Asia Pacific. By seeing things differently, we anticipate market changes and are first to capitalize, ensuring clients and the business can be what’s next in their respective sectors. The Project & Development Services team offer a full suite of offerings from Project Management, Cost Management, Building Consultancy, MEP Design, Workplace, Interior Design, Programme Management Office (PMO) and Design & Build to our clients.
This position will focus on contributing to the continued growth of the Project & Development Services (PDS) division which has more than doubled top line revenue since 2016. There is a road map in place to double the size of the division again and fundamental to that growth plan is the success of a dedicated sales division. The Business Operations Manager plays an active role within the team, working closely with PDS leadership and collaborating across various non-PDS divisions within Cushman & Wakefield. This role is key to identifying and developing internal sales opportunities, leveraging both market insights and our extensive existing client base including auditing the platform for business excellence. A critical part of this function involves connecting with SEA market leaders and in-country Client Services teams through our internal platform, enabling seamless coordination and pushing opportunities directly into the teams.
While this is an internally focused role, the Business Operations Manager supports market-facing leaders within the PDS service line by maintaining strong connectivity across local, regional, and global teams. The role consistently represents the Cushman & Wakefield brand through collaboration, alignment, and delivery excellence, helping ensure our client relationships are supported and strengthened across Southeast Asia.
Job Description
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Business Operations Manager maintains a significant, visible, and respected leadership presence across the PDS service line, acting as a connector across service lines and SEA countries to drive the success of our integrated Investor and Occupier services. This includes maximizing cross-sell opportunities and increasing share of wallet across our client base.
The role fosters a culture of trust, opportunity, and positive morale across the broader PDS organization, working closely with PDS Country Heads and Regional Directors to prepare the annual sales plan for PDS SEA. Together, they define clear and measurable financial and individual performance objectives, for which leaders are held accountable.
Strategic sales activity is coordinated in partnership with local Client Services leads, with monthly performance reviews conducted alongside PDS Country Heads and Regional Directors. The Business Operations Manager actively advocates the ONEPDS ethos across the service line and into the wider Cushman & Wakefield ecosystem, reinforcing collaboration and shared success.
Ongoing developmental feedback is provided in partnership with leadership to continually raise expectations and performance standards. The role also maintains awareness of industry developments, competitive dynamics, client trends, and market opportunities to inform strategy and drive growth.
SCOPE OF WORK
Decision-Making Authority:
- Freedom to determine the methods and policies for other positions; authority to approve major decisions affecting the company.
- Freedom to determine the methods to be used to fulfill the position’s responsibilities and how to accomplish desired goals and objectives
- Freedom to select the methods or procedures to be used from among several established alternatives
- Follows established methods and procedures, but may have freedom to determine priorities for completion of tasks
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Business Operations Manager supports the sales performance of the allocated geography sector within the PDS service line across the Southeast Asia business. While not directly accountable for sales outcomes, the role plays a critical part in enabling revenue growth, EBITDA improvement, and margin accretion by supporting lead generation, opportunity development, and internal coordination.
Performance contribution is linked to the effectiveness of lead enablement and collaboration across teams, helping drive new business opportunities while supporting the preservation of operational margins throughout the sales process.
The role also contributes to the commercial strategy of PDS proposals by offering insights into pricing, solution alignment, and risk awareness—ensuring proposals are strategically positioned to meet client needs while aligning with internal business objectives. This includes leveraging auditing processes, standardized playbooks, and the OnePulse platform to support Go/No-Go decisions and Bid/Tender Reviews (BTRs). The role also encompasses tracking and reporting outcomes of these audits to management, promoting transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across all pursuits.
PEOPLE LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES
Leads/Assigns/Delegates tasks to direct reports and manages a team- Leads/Assigns/Delegates tasks to project team
- None
Number of direct reports: None
Titles of individuals: N/A
KEY SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES
- Proven ability to support the development of structured programs and initiatives that align with financial and operational goals.
- Builds strong relationships with key clients, potential clients, and industry stakeholders to help retain, support, and grow the PDS service line.
- Demonstrates commercial awareness and a track record of contributing to sustainable business growth, profitability, and value creation.
- Committed to excellence, continuous improvement, and delivering high standards across all areas of responsibility.
- Takes ownership and initiative to drive internal collaboration and service excellence.
- Builds trust with colleagues and stakeholders through integrity, consistency, and ethical behavior.
- Communicates openly and honestly, listens actively, and presents ideas with clarity and confidence.
- Establishes effective internal networks and builds confidence with teams and clients through proactive engagement.
- Considers the broader impact of actions and communications to ensure effectiveness and alignment.
- Adheres to company procedures and policies to safeguard the business and operate efficiently.
- Collaborates across service lines and demonstrates strong teamwork and alignment with the ONEPDS ethos.
- Dedicated to supporting client relationships by enabling high-quality, proactive service and seeking feedback to improve satisfaction and outcomes.
- Possesses strong presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders with credibility and presence.
- Maintains focus under pressure, conveys professional urgency, and demonstrates accountability in striving to exceed expectations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
A background in the built environment industry.
A broad industry network and ability to maintain relationships.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER – SEA PDS
Develop new business opportunities in allocated country markets.
Work closely with all PDS leadership and extended service offering in the development of new opportunities and positioning of PDS services to win new business.
Develop strong working relationships with PDS leadership, PDS Client Services and Country Heads.
Develop a network of contacts across wider Cushman & Wakefield business that will result in developing increased sales opportunities and working closely with PDS Alternative Assets, Development & Commercial Advisory and Sustainability groups and the like.
Connect the dots with regional Key Accounts representative to map market opportunities.
Maintain consistency in proposals and presentations across the markets with, in Country Heads, in country sales leads and wider SEA business.
Maintain ENGAGE CRM platform, prepare for weekly and formal monthly sales performance reviews.
Auditing processes, standardized playbooks, and the OnePulse platform to support Go/No-Go decisions and Bid/Transaction Reviews (BTRs).
INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”
