Business Development Consultant

Aon Corporation; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Aon South Africa in Sandton is seeking a Business Development Consultant to identify, source, and close direct new business opportunities across South Africa. This hybrid role combines virtual work with time at the Sandton head office to drive profitable growth aligned with Aon's new business approach.

You will research prospective clients, build relationships, and manage the full sales cycle from lead to onboarding, leveraging your negotiation skills and knowledge of Employee Benefits to

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent required.
• A relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Must be FSCA FAIS registered as a representative.
• Minimum NQF5 Wealth Management or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Actively seek new direct business prospects within South Africa.
• Contribute to developing and executing the South African growth strategy.
• Identify, develop and manage relationships with prospective clients.
• Promote the Aon brand and build links in the employee benefits market.
• Research prospective clients and learn about their business and needs to tailor outreach.
• Present and negotiate Aon solutions with decisionmakers.
• Assist clients in developing tailored employee benefit and risk solutions.
• Maintain a robust sales pipeline from lead to onboarding.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver client solutions.

Skills

Hunter mindset

Negotiation

Relationship building

Value proposition

Analytical skills

Sales planning

Time management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Grade 12

Bachelor’s degree (preferable)

FSCA FAIS registration

NQF5 Wealth Management

Tools

CRM software

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Business Development Consultant

Are you looking to advance your career? Experienced in identifying, sourcing, and closing direct new business opportunities? Keep reading!

Aon South Africa is hiring a Business Development Consultant. This hybrid role allows working virtually and from our Sandton head office.

The Sales Consultant – New Business is tasked with uncovering, sourcing, and securing new direct business opportunities across South Africa. This role drives profitable growth aligned with Aon’s new business approach and overall objectives. It requires solid sales judgment, negotiation expertise, and relationship-building capabilities. Knowledge of unions and organized labor markets might be advantageous, but it is not the central duty.

New business refers to direct opportunities generated and closed through local sales efforts and initiatives in the South African market. It does not include Global or multinational accounts unless the business states otherwise.

Aon is in the business of better decisions

At Aon, we build decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

As an organization, we are united through trust as one engaged team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

What the day will look like

• Actively seek new direct business prospects beyond the larger current Aon client network, aligned with the local new business approach.
• Contribute to the creation and rollout of the new business growth strategy for the South African market.
• Identify, develop and manage relationships with prospective clients and relevant collaborators to generate balanced new business opportunities.
• Network and promote the Aon and Group brand, developing positive ties within the employee benefits and broader business market.
• Before discussions, thoroughly research prospective clients, find key contacts and decisionmakers, and learn about their business, workforce, partners, and benefit needs. Plan your approach accordingly.
• Apply strong sales and negotiation skills to present, position and close Aon’s solutions with decisionmakers and collaborators.
• Assist prospective clients in developing efficient, competitive employee benefit and risk solutions aligned with their organizational strategies and employee expectations.
• Build positive relationships with prospective clients through questioning, influencing, and consultative selling skills.
• Maintain an advanced understanding of Employee Benefits (Retirement Funding, Risk Benefits and/or Healthcare Consulting) to clearly communicate Aon’s solutions and value proposition.
• Manage the sales pipeline effectively – from lead generation, qualification and proposal development through to closing and onboarding, ensuring accurate and timely pipeline reporting.
• Work in cross-functional (matrix) teams with internal collaborators (consulting, servicing, operations, legal, marketing) to craft and deliver winning client solutions.
• Ensure the smooth onboarding and transfer of new clients into the business, following agreed business processes and client experience standards.
• Provide mentorship in provider and solution selection, ensuring alignment to client needs, Aon strategy and regulatory requirements.
• Represent Aon professionally in all external forums, including industry meetings, tenders, presentations and negotiations.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

Qualifications

• At least Grade 12 or an equivalent level of education.
• A relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is preferable.
• Must be registered as a representative with the FSCA in terms of the FAIS Act.
• Minimum NQF5 Wealth Management or equivalent.

Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of the Employee Benefits sector (Retirement Funding, Risk Benefits and/or Healthcare Consulting).
• Exposure to the South African union and organized labor environment and related collaborator dynamics is advantageous, but not a core requirement of the role.
• Solid understanding of sales processes, pipeline management and business development fields.
• Understanding of industry and business strategies and how Aon’s solutions correspond to client objectives.
• Computer literacy with advanced know‑how in MS Word and Excel; familiarity with CRM / pipeline management tools is advantageous.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong sales competence combined with a bold, proactive approach to new business and a proven “hunter” outlook.
• Well‑developed negotiating and persuading skills, including experience navigating complex, multi‑stakeholder negotiations.
• Ability to clearly express Aon’s value proposition and how it sets Aon apart and benefits prospective clients.
• Strong ability to build and maintain connections within the employee benefits and wider business market.
• Strong analytical, technical and problem‑solving skills to translate client needs into compelling solutions.
• Strong research and preparation skills, with the ability to chart prospective clients, recognize key contacts, and customize the sales approach and value proposition prior to client discussions.
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills at senior and executive levels, including with employer and employee representatives.
• Capable of collaborating efficiently within cross-functional (matrix) teams and persuading others without having direct authority.
• Excellent planning and time‑management skills – able to prioritize and manage multiple prospects, tasks and deadlines.
• High levels of drive, resilience and self‑motivation, with a strong emphasis on reaching and surpassing new business targets.
• High levels of professionalism, ethics, and integrity, consistent with Aon’s values and regulatory requirements.

Experience

• At least 4 years of experience in a comparable or related position within Employee Benefits or financial services. This experience must emphasize new business development and sales.
• Proven track record of securing and closing direct new business, ideally within complex collaborator environments.
• Demonstrated experience in building and managing a robust new business pipeline from prospecting through to close.