Ecosystem Development Director – Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa (APAC & MEA) | S3 | Navigator Global | London

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For ambitious businesses, international trade can unlock powerful growth — making them more profitable and resilient than those operating domestically. But that journey is often high-risk, time-consuming, and prohibitively costly. That’s why there’s Navigator Global — a guiding light that brings clarity to global trade by illuminating opportunity and steering businesses away from costly missteps.

As Navigator Global scales it’s global footprint, we’re hiring an Ecosystem Development Director for APAC & MEA to help us build the one-stop trade ecosystem SMEs need when navigating markets such as China, Southeast Asia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa You’ll be the architect of strategic relationships — connecting our platform with expert advisors, logistics providers, legal partners, chambers, trade institutions, and more.

We’re looking for someone commercially sharp, locally connected, and globally minded — someone who understands how to build ecosystems that unlock real value for small businesses trading across borders. 

The difference you’ll make:

Reporting into the Head of SME Ecosystem Development Director, you will be:

• Managing a clearly defined regional ecosystem strategy that is constantly evolving to meet the demands of global SMEs trading with the region.

• Managing the development, governance, and delivery of an ecosystem of service providers, commercial and public sector connections that support SMEs trade with region.

• Providing guidance to a network of outsourced in-country resource to drive new ecosystem connections and premium intelligence from the region.

• Providing the Head of SME Ecosystem Development and other senior stakeholders with a clear view of regional ecosystem priorities, opportunities and risks.

• Providing thought leadership in relation to the region based upon your own knowledge, feedback from the ecosystem, and platform data.   

• Supporting the overall development of the SME Ecosystem Development team and wider NavCo business through sharing insights, case studies and best practice.

What you’ll bring:

• Extensive experience in the international trade industry across APAC & MEA, with a proven ability to navigate diverse business environments and cultural nuances in the region.

• A well-established network of contacts amongst key stakeholders that support SMEs, including service providers, government agencies, and industry associations, throughout APAC & MEA.

• Deep understanding of international trade dynamics, business environments, and key demand across APAC & MEA markets.

• Fluency in English and full professional proficiency in a language for countries where English is not as widely spoken e.g., Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, with outstanding communication and negotiation skills.

It would also be nice for you to have:

• Additional proficiency in another major regional language, depending on which one is your native or fluent language.

• Demonstrated success supporting SMEs in expanding in international markets.

• Excellent grasp of global trade trends and issues affecting SMEs trading internationally.

• A relevant degree or higher education qualification, ideally in international business, economics, trade, or a related field.

What else you need to know:

• This role is based in London.

• We want our people to thrive at work and home, and also be able to deliver the best outcomes for our customers and to help each other develop. To support this, we offer site-based contracts with a hybrid working pattern and our expected level of attendance in an office is at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).

• If you apply for this role in this location, it’s important you consider your travelling distance, time and cost from your home to the office location.

• We’re happy to discuss specific working patterns and arrangement within this hybrid approach during the recruitment process.

Inclusion

At Santander we’re creating a thriving workplace where all colleagues feel they belong and are supported to succeed.  We all help to make Santander a workplace that celebrates diversity and attracts, retains and develops the most talented and committed people through living our values of Simple, Personal, and Fair.
 

How we’ll reward you.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.

• Eligible for a discretionary performance-related annual bonus.

• We put 8% of salary into your pension, even if you don’t contribute yourself. We’ll pay in up to 12.5% of salary, if you contribute as well, and you can take some of our contribution in cash if you prefer.

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year.

• £6,000 car allowance per year.

• Company funded individual private medical insurance.

• Voluntary healthcare benefits at discounted rates such as private medical insurance for your family, dental insurance, and health assessments.

• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.

• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans.

• As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services

Learn more about our benefits and family friendly policies

What to do next:

If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, then please apply.

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at [email protected].