Business Development Manager - Jhb

Santam Insurance; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider is seeking a Business Development Manager in Gauteng to drive sustainable growth through strategic partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a strong insurance background, excellent influencing skills, and a proven ability to develop commercial structures. Join a team that values diversity and innovation in a competitive insurance landscape. A first degree in Business or Finance is required, with 8+ years of experience necessary.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years experience in a similar role in short-term insurance.
• Sound understanding of relevant insurance regulations and acts.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new strategic partnerships.
• Manage and grow existing partner relationships.
• Develop and implement commercial structures.
• Co-ordinate cross-functional teams to deliver solutions.
• Drive market intelligence to inform strategy.
• Report on partner performance and KPIs.

Skills

Communication & influence

Decision making

Planning & organising

Project management

Strategic awareness

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Conflict resolution

Attention to detail

Education

First degree or higher qualification in Business, Finance, or related field

Postgraduate qualification such as an Honours or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

Learn more. An exciting opportunity is available within Santam Partnership Solutions for a Business Development Manager to join the Strategic Partnerships team.

This is a permanent position based in Alice Lane, Sandton, Gauteng.

What will you do?

The major purpose of this position is to drive sustainable business growth by identifying, developing, and managing new partnership and revenue opportunities that align with Santam Partner Solutions' (SPS) and Sanlam Group's strategic objectives.

The role exists to ensure that we continuously expand our footprint, unlock value in existing relationships, and deliver measurable contributions to Gross Written Premium (GWP) growth. This job operates in a highly competitive and evolving insurance landscape where innovation, cross‑sell, and new distribution channels are critical to achieving our growth ambitions.

The successful incumbent will ensure that there is focused capacity to hunt for new opportunities, convert them into commercial structures, and support the execution required to deliver impact.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and secure new strategic partnerships to drive Santam's growth and market expansion.
• Manage and grow existing partner relationships to maximise value, revenue, and long‑term sustainability.
• Develop and implement commercial structures and business cases to ensure profitability and scalability.
• Co‑ordinate cross‑functional teams (Product, IT, Finance, Legal, Compliance) to deliver partner solutions seamlessly.
• Drive market intelligence and competitor insights to inform partnership strategy and product innovation.
• Report on partner performance, pipeline, and strategic KPIs to SPS leadership and EXCO.

Qualifications and Experience

• A first degree or higher qualification in Business, Finance, or a related field is required.
• A postgraduate qualification such as an Honours or equivalent would be advantageous.
• Minimum 8 years experience in a similar role in short‑term insurance.
• Sound understanding of the Insurance Act, Short‑Term Insurance Act, FAIS Act, FAIS General Code of Conduct, Policyholder Protection Rules (PPR) and Protection of Personal Information Act.

Skills

• Communication & influence
• Decision making
• Planning & organising
• Project management
• Strategic awareness
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent analytical, decision‑making, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Proven stakeholder management, networking, business development and relationship‑building skills.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation capability.
• High attention to detail with a proactive approach identifying opportunities and converting this to successful business outcomes.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise effectively, and manage multiple deliverables.
• Drives results, client focus, flexibility and adaptability, cultivates innovation, business and commercial acumen.
• Reporting and administration.

Reporting and Administration

Team members will be accountable for ensuring accurate partner performance reporting and effective administrative support for partnership initiatives.

About the Company

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia. With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the top companies listed on the JSE.

Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected.

Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting. People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short‑term opportunities. Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an equal‑opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro‑inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive.