Business Development Manager

Ignition Group; Durban; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African company in Durban is seeking a skilled business development professional to drive market research and lead generation efforts. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of B2B sales experience, proficient in CRM tools like Salesforce. This permanent position offers a base salary aligned with market standards, and you'll contribute to building client relationships and closing deals in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in a business development or B2B sales role.
• Solid knowledge of business development strategies and B2B sales methodologies.
• Skilled at identifying new market opportunities and positioning solutions effectively.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging trends.
• Design and implement outreach campaigns via various channels.
• Initiate consultative conversations to understand client needs.
• Lead the preparation of tailored proposals including service solutions.
• Generate weekly and monthly sales performance reports.

Skills

Business Development

B2B Sales

CRM Software

Negotiation

Lead Generation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sales, Marketing, Business, or a relevant field

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

Job description

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 clients' 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.

Requirements

• 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 relationships.
• 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 Experience

• Matric
• Bachelor's degree in Sales, Marketing, Business, or a relevant field preferred
• At least 3 years of 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.

Work Level: Skilled

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: Market Related

EE Position: No

Location: Durban

Required Experience : Manager

Key Skills

Business Development,Sales Experience,B2B Sales,Marketing,Cold Calling,Account Management,Territory Management,Salesforce,Affiliate Marketing,CRM Software,Negotiation,Lead Generation

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1