Business Development Director Signalling & Infrastructure

MANPOWER Group; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

MANPOWER Group is seeking a senior Business Development leader for Southern Africa in the rail signalling and infrastructure sector. You will shape strategy, collaborate across sales, tendering, finance, legal and global performance functions, and drive major opportunities with government authorities and C-suite stakeholders.

This role requires deep industry relationships, a commercial mindset, and the gravitas to influence governance and partnerships, while maintaining rigorous ethics and

Qualifications

• A degree in Engineering or Business.
• At least 10 years' experience in rail or related industries.
• Ability to identify and lead winning business development strategies.
• Strong relationships with customers, government authorities, and internal stakeholders.
• Fluent English with excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the B2B development strategy for Southern Africa.
• Promote signalling and infrastructure solutions to win new business.
• Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers and authorities.
• Analyze market trends, competitors, and customer needs.
• Develop lobbying plans and form strategic partnerships.
• Support tender leaders through negotiation and contract stages.
• Ensure activity complies with ethics and governance standards.
• Maintain accurate opportunity tracking and market reporting via CRM.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Strategic business development

Negotiation

Education

Degree in Engineering or Business

MBA advantageous

Tools

CRM software

Job description

About the Opportunity

This is a senior, strategic role with real influence. You'll be at the centre of identifying and converting major business opportunities in the rail signalling and infrastructure space — working across sales, tendering, finance, legal, and global performance functions. If you have deep industry relationships, a commercial mindset, and the gravitas to engage government authorities and C-suite stakeholders, this role was built for you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Defining and implementing the Business Development strategy for Southern Africa, aligned to regional and global market plans
• Promoting a world-leading portfolio of signalling and infrastructure solutions to win new business and expand market share
• Building and maintaining relationships with key decision-makers across customers, government authorities, and industry stakeholders
• Compiling and analysing market intelligence on trends, competitor strategies, and customer needs
• Developing and executing lobbying action plans and forming strategic partnerships
• Supporting tender leaders and customer directors through negotiation and contract implementation phases
• Ensuring all business development activity is conducted in full compliance with ethics and governance standards
• Maintaining accurate opportunity tracking and market reporting via CRM tools

What You'll Need

• A degree in Engineering or Business — a Master's in Business Administration or Engineering is a strong advantage
• At least 10 years' experience in the rail or related industries, or project engineering
• Proven ability to identify and lead winning strategies in business development
• Strong relationships with customers, government authorities, and internal stakeholders
• In-depth knowledge of competitor offerings and market dynamics
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking and executive-level interpersonal ability
• Sharp problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making capability
• Global and cultural awareness
• Fluency in English — additional language skills are an advantage

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted