Business Development & Lead Generation Intern (Graduate Workplace Learning programme)

Signa Opportunity; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 89,280 - 133,920; Full time

Job summary

Signa Opportunity in South Africa offers a Business Development & Lead Generation Intern role within its Graduate Workplace Learning Programme. You will support growth by researching prospective clients, engaging leads, and strengthening the workforce sustainability solutions portfolio while gaining exposure to solution selling and customer engagement.

Reporting to the Business Growth & Customer Experience Manager, you will help maintain CRM records, assist with campaigns, and contribute to

Qualifications

• South African unemployed youth aged 18–34.
• A Relevant qualification in Marketing, Business Management, Sales Management, Commerce, Customer Relationship Management, Entrepreneurship, Public Relations, Economics or related field.

Responsibilities

• Support identification of prospective clients and opportunities aligned with Signa Opportunity's growth objectives.
• Conduct market research to identify employers and strategic partners.
• Research industries, organisations and sectors aligned with workforce sustainability solutions.
• Maintain prospect databases and market intelligence records.
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging market trends.
• Identify opportunities arising from B-BEE, ESG, ESD, graduate development and youth employment initiatives.
• Identify and qualify prospective clients; conduct initial outreach; schedule meetings.
• Maintain accurate prospect records within the CRM.
• Track pipeline progression and assist with lead qualification.

Skills

CRM systems

Market research

Prospecting techniques

Sales reporting

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Customer relationship management

Presentation preparation

AI tools in research

Education

National Diploma

Advanced Diploma

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

CRM systems

Market intelligence tools

Job description

Purpose of the role

The Business Development & Lead Generation Intern forms part of Signa Opportunity's Graduate Workplace Learning Programme and supports the organisation's commercial growth by contributing to business development activities that generate sustainable sales opportunities. The role focuses on identifying, researching, and engaging prospective clients, supporting lead generation initiatives, maintaining an active sales pipeline, and contributing to the growth of both existing and emerging workforce sustainability solutions.

About the Role

As a Business Development & Lead Generation Intern, you will work under the guidance of the Business Growth & Customer Experience Manager, gaining structured workplace exposure to consultative business development, customer relationship management (CRM), market intelligence, opportunity qualification, and commercial pipeline management. You will support lead generation campaigns, engage with prospective clients, contribute to sales and business development activities, and assist in strengthening Signa Opportunity's workforce sustainability solutions, including graduate employability initiatives. This internship provides an excellent opportunity to build professional capability in solution selling, customer engagement, and business development while contributing to the organisation's long‑term growth strategy and diversification.

Key Responsibilities

Market Intelligence & Opportunity Research

Support the identification of prospective clients and commercial opportunities aligned with Signa Opportunity's strategic growth objectives.

• Conduct market research to identify prospective employers and strategic partners.
• Research industries, organisations and sectors aligned with workforce sustainability solutions.
• Identify opportunities arising from B‑BEE, ESG, ESD, graduate development and youth employment initiatives.
• Maintain prospect databases and market intelligence records.
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging market trends.

Lead Generation & Prospect Development

Support the creation of a healthy and sustainable sales pipeline.

• Identify and qualify prospective clients.
• Conduct initial outreach through approved communication channels.
• Schedule introductory meetings for Business Growth and Executive Management.
• Maintain accurate prospect records within the CRM/company customer database.
• Follow up on marketing‑generated enquiries.
• Assist in nurturing prospective client relationships.

Sales Pipeline Management

Support disciplined management of business development opportunities from prospecting through to proposal stage.

• Update pipeline trackers and CRM systems.
• Monitor opportunity progression through the sales cycle.
• Support lead qualification activities.
• Track conversion ratios and pipeline health.
• Escalate opportunities requiring management attention.

Business Development Campaign Support

Work closely with the Marketing & Brand Intern to translate campaigns into measurable commercial opportunities.

• Support lead generation campaigns.
• Assist with business development events and networking initiatives.
• Coordinate follow‑up activities arising from campaigns.
• Prepare prospecting lists for targeted outreach.
• Support account‑based marketing initiatives.
• Assist with employer engagement activities.

Customer Relationship & Stakeholder Engagement

Support professional engagement with prospective and existing clients.

• Prepare meeting packs and client briefing notes.
• Coordinate introductory meetings.
• Maintain records of customer interactions.
• Support customer experience initiatives.
• Assist with proposal coordination and follow‑up activities.
• Demonstrate professional communication at all times.

Sales Reporting & Commercial Intelligence

Provide accurate reporting that supports commercial decision‑making.

• Prepare weekly pipeline reports.
• Track lead generation performance.
• Monitor campaign‑to‑opportunity conversion.
• Assist with sales dashboards.
• Support analysis of business development performance.
• Identify trends and recommend improvements.

Professional Development & Workplace Readiness

Actively participate in structured workplace learning and commercial capability development.

• Participate in mentoring and coaching sessions.
• Develop consultative selling skills.
• Apply feedback to improve performance.
• Build confidence in customer engagement.
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability and continuous learning.

Minimum requirements

• South African unemployed youth aged 18–34.
• National Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Bachelor's Degree (NQF Level 6 or higher) in:
  • Marketing
  • Business Management
  • Sales Management
  • Commerce
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Public Relations
  • Economics or a related qualification.

Required skills

Working knowledge of, or willingness to develop capability in:

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• CRM systems.
• Market research.
• Prospecting techniques.
• Business communication.
• Sales reporting.
• Presentation preparation.
• Customer relationship management.
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator and digital prospecting tools (advantageous).
• Responsible use of AI‑enabled productivity tools to support research, customer profiling and communication preparation.

Behavioural Competencies

• Commercial awareness.
• Customer focus.
• Initiative.
• Resilience.
• Confidence.
• Communication skills.
• Networking ability.
• Planning and organising.
• Collaboration.
• Adaptability.
• Accountability.
• Continuous learning.

Physical Abilities Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods
• Fine dexterity to operate computer, calculator and other office equipment.
• Visual alertness to inspect documents for accuracy.
• Ability to hear and speak to exchange information.
• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop and reach for work tools of trade etc.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry standard office items/tools of trade.
• Ability to attend work at least in normal business hours.
• Ability to stay alert and sustain effectiveness through antisocial hours in times of emergencies or conflicting deadlines/work under pressure.
• Ability to endure at least local and regional business travel as required by either road, and or air.
• Able to balance office‑based work while balancing customer engagement demands.

Please consider your application unsuccessful when you have not heard from the Signa Opportunity team within two weeks of submitting your application.