Client: A global maritime technology company providing digital solutions, data and risk-management services to the international shipping industry
Role: Enterprise Business Development Manager
Recruitment Type: Exclusive Permanent Recruitment
Location: Singapore
Stakeholders Involved: Hiring Manager, CCO and Talent Acquisition team
Faststream Recruitment partnered with a global maritime technology business to appoint an Enterprise Business Development Manager in Singapore. With a narrow talent pool requiring both maritime industry credibility and enterprise SaaS sales experience, Faststream combined targeted market mapping, specialist APAC networks and proactive candidate engagement to secure the right commercial talent.
The Challenge
The client was looking to strengthen its commercial team with an experienced Enterprise Business Development Manager capable of developing strategic relationships across the APAC maritime market.
The successful candidate needed to bring a particularly specialist combination of skills.
They required strong enterprise business development experience alongside genuine maritime industry knowledge and credibility. The individual also needed to be comfortable engaging senior stakeholders across shipowners, ship managers and other major maritime organisations.
Finding candidates with both shipping market expertise and experience selling technology or SaaS solutions significantly narrowed the available talent pool.
The successful hire also needed a strong understanding of the APAC shipping market, regional customer landscape and the longer, consultative sales cycles associated with enterprise technology solutions.
This meant the search needed to extend beyond active applicants and focus on professionals with the right commercial track record, industry relationships and ability to communicate the value of technology solutions to senior maritime decision-makers.
The Solution
Faststream began with a detailed briefing session to understand the client's commercial objectives, expectations for the position and the characteristics of the ideal candidate.
The recruitment strategy was then built around targeted market mapping across maritime technology, shipping technology, SaaS and adjacent maritime businesses throughout the APAC region.
Faststream's established maritime network played an important role in the search.
Rather than relying solely on candidates actively looking for a new position, the recruitment consultant proactively identified and approached professionals with relevant enterprise sales experience and strong connections across the maritime sector.
Potential candidates were assessed across several key areas, including:
Enterprise sales performance
Maritime and shipping industry knowledge
Existing industry relationships and networks
Experience selling technology or SaaS solutions
Commercial strategy and account development
Senior stakeholder engagement
Knowledge of the APAC maritime market
This detailed qualification process allowed Faststream to present a focused shortlist of candidates aligned with both the technical and commercial requirements of the role.
Throughout the interview process, Faststream maintained candidate engagement, coordinated interviews, gathered feedback from both parties and supported negotiations through to successful placement.
The Collaboration
Close communication with the client's hiring manager, commercial leadership and Talent Acquisition team was maintained throughout the assignment.
Faststream provided regular market feedback on candidate availability, remuneration expectations and the broader competitive landscape for enterprise commercial talent within maritime technology.
This insight enabled the recruitment strategy to be refined where necessary and ensured expectations remained aligned throughout the process.
Faststream also acted as the central point of contact between the client and candidates, helping maintain momentum and providing a consistent experience from initial introduction through to offer.
Support throughout the assignment included:
Detailed role briefing and search strategy
APAC maritime market mapping
Passive candidate identification and engagement
Candidate screening and qualification
Shortlist presentation
Interview coordination
Client and candidate feedback
Market and salary intelligence
Candidate engagement throughout the process
Offer and negotiation support
The Results
Faststream successfully delivered specialist commercial talent for the client's APAC maritime technology business.
The wider recruitment partnership resulted in two successful permanent appointments across Singapore and Australia, demonstrating Faststream's ability to identify niche commercial talent across multiple APAC markets.
The successful hires combined maritime industry credibility with the enterprise sales capability required to represent sophisticated technology solutions to senior shipping stakeholders.
By using targeted market mapping and proactive engagement, Faststream was able to access candidates who were not necessarily available through traditional recruitment advertising.
The appointments also strengthened the ongoing relationship between Faststream and the client, supporting its continued growth within the maritime technology market.
Why Faststream?
This assignment demonstrated the benefits of working with a recruitment partner that understands both the maritime industry and the increasingly important technology businesses serving it.
Client Testimonial
“Faststream demonstrated a strong understanding of our commercial requirements and the maritime talent market, providing us with relevant candidates and a professional recruitment process from initial engagement through to placement.”
Talent Acquisition Manager
Find Your Next Maritime Commercial Professional
Recruiting commercial talent within maritime technology requires more than traditional sales recruitment.
Faststream combines specialist maritime market knowledge, international candidate networks and targeted search expertise to identify professionals who understand both the shipping industry and the commercial opportunities created by maritime technology.
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