Business Development Lead

Ignition Group; Durban; On-site; ZAR 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a skilled sales professional in Durban to spearhead market research, lead generation, and client engagement. The role involves designing outreach campaigns, preparing proposals, and collaborating with internal teams to enhance service delivery. Ideal candidates will thrive in a dynamic environment, focusing on strategic client relationships and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging trends.
• Design and implement outreach campaigns via various channels.
• Initiate and lead consultative conversations with clients.
• Lead the preparation of tailored proposals and facilitate negotiations.

Job description

Market Research and Opportunity Identification

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging trends, competitor strategies, and untapped business segments.
• Analyze customer segments to understand key decision-makers, pain points, and growth potential.
• Develop targeted prospecting strategies for high-potential industries, geographies, and customer profiles.
• Monitor regulatory, economic, and technological developments that could influence market opportunities.

Lead Generation and Pipeline Development

• Design and implement outreach campaigns via email, cold calls, LinkedIn, and other channels to generate qualified leads.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create compelling campaigns, content, and events that attract new prospects.
• Qualify leads through needs analysis and ensure accurate handover into the sales pipeline.
• Maintain and continuously build a robust pipeline of opportunities in CRM systems.

Client Engagement and Relationship Building

• Initiate and lead consultative conversations to understand client needs, business goals, and challenges.
• Build credibility and trust with stakeholders at all levels through clear communication and value-driven solutions.
• Conduct solution presentations and demos that align to the client’s operational and strategic priorities.
• Ensure a seamless transition from lead to client onboarding, engaging relevant internal teams as needed.

Proposal Development and Deal Closure

• Lead the preparation of tailored proposals, including commercial models and service solutions aligned to client requirements.
• Facilitate negotiations, addressing objections and aligning on win-win outcomes with clients.
• Engage senior leadership as needed for key opportunities to accelerate closure and relationship development.
• Finalize contracts and support the implementation team to ensure service delivery is aligned with commitments.

Sales Reporting and Performance Tracking

• Maintain up-to-date records of all sales activities, prospects, and opportunity stages in CRM systems.
• Generate weekly and monthly sales performance reports, analyzing conversion metrics, pipeline health, and revenue forecasts.
• Use data insights to adjust strategies and improve targeting, engagement, and deal conversion rates.
• Monitor customer feedback and post-deal performance to identify referral or upselling opportunities.

Strategic Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with the Product and Operations teams to provide market feedback that informs product enhancements.
• Participate in internal planning sessions to align business development activities with broader company goals.
• Identify inefficiencies in the sales process and recommend improvements that drive faster sales cycles and better client outcomes.
• Contribute to team learning by sharing best practices, insights from the field, and competitive intelligence.