Business Development Lead

Ignition Group; Umhlanga Rocks; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth by identifying and securing new business opportunities. This role involves conducting market research, managing a robust sales pipeline, and engaging with clients to forge sustainable relationships. The ideal candidate will have a strong B2B sales background with exceptional communication and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years’ experience in business development or B2B sales.
• Solid knowledge of business development strategies and methodologies.
• Analytical thinker with strong commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities.
• Conduct market research to identify trends and customer segments.
• Lead proposal development and facilitate negotiations.

Skills

B2B Sales

Communication

Negotiation

Market Research

CRM Tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Marketing, Business or relevant field

Matric

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

Job description

Responsible for identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities that align with the company’s growth strategy. This includes researching target markets, forging strategic relationships, managing high-potential pipelines, and supporting deal closure. The role works across multiple channels to expand the customer base and drive sustainable financial growth through boosting sales and forging strong client relationships.

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.

Knowledge, skills and attributes:

• Solid knowledge of business development strategies and B2B sales methodologies.
• Skilled at identifying new market opportunities and positioning solutions effectively.
• Proficient in sales automation and CRM tools (e.g. Salesforce, HubSpot).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation and closing capabilities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to take initiative and work independently.
• High level of integrity and ability to build trust-based relationship.
• Analytical thinker with strong commercial acumen.
• Persistent and resilient in achieving targets and dealing with rejection.
• Collaborative, with an ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Education and training:

• Matric
• Bachelor’s degree Sales, Marketing, Business or in a relevant field preferred

Experience:

• At least 3 years’ experience in a business development or B2B sales role.
• Experience working with CRM systems and using data to drive decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to generate leads, manage long sales cycles, and close complex deals.
• Experience engaging with internal stakeholders and external partners at various levels.