Business Development Specialist

Sabenza IT & Recruitment; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Sabenza IT & Recruitment seeks a Business Development Specialist to drive growth in the funeral services sector. You will identify strategic opportunities, evaluate acquisitions, expand branch footprints, and secure high-value contracts through strategic execution.

You will lead cross-functional collaboration with Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Operations, while engaging with potential acquisition targets, government entities, and corporate clients.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years’ relevant experience in business development, acquisitions, strategic expansion, property development or related field.
• Proven experience in land acquisition/expansion projects and regulated facility rollouts.
• Experience conducting market research/feasibility studies and developing business cases with ROI calculations.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess and support execution of strategic acquisition opportunities including funeral homes, land and cremation facilities.
• Identify land expansion opportunities and support branch openings or crematorium development.
• Develop and implement lead-generation strategies and pursue high-value opportunities across markets.
• Prepare proposals, tenders and business pitches communicating value proposition to senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to manage due diligence, governance/regulatory requirements and project execution.

Skills

Commercial instinct

Analytical thinking

Strategic execution

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Property Studies

Job description

Drive Growth. Unlock Opportunities. Build the Future ofFuneral Services.

Are you a commercially driven Business DevelopmentSpecialist who knows how to spot an opportunity, turn it into a strategy,and make it happen?

We’re looking for a dynamic, strategic and results-focusedprofessional to play a key role in the growth and expansion of our FuneralService department .

This is more than a traditional business development role.You’ll be at the heart of identifying new markets, evaluating acquisitions,expanding our branch footprint, developing crematorium opportunities,generating new leads and securing high-value contracts.

You’ll bring together commercial thinking, strategicexecution, stakeholder management and project leadership to createsustainable business growth in a highly regulated environment.

If you thrive on identifying opportunities, buildingcompelling business cases and turning ambitious growth plans into tangibleresults — this could be your next big opportunity.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As Business Development Specialist, you will help shape andexecute the department’s growth strategy across multiple channels.

You’ll work closely with Finance, Legal, Compliance,Operations and senior stakeholders , while engaging externally withpotential acquisition targets, corporate clients, government institutions,municipalities, unions and community organisations.

From identifying strategic land and acquisitionopportunities to opening a new branch or securing a major contract, yourwork will directly influence the organisation’s growth and market presence.

WHAT YOU’LL BERESPONSIBLE FOR

Acquisitions & Strategic Growth

• Identify,assess and support the execution of strategic acquisition opportunities,including funeral homes, land and cremation facilities .
• Identifyand evaluate land acquisition opportunities that support theorganisation’s long-term expansion strategy.
• Supportand coordinate land expansion projects from initial assessmentthrough to implementation.
• Conductmarket research to identify attractive locations, growth markets andcommercial opportunities.
• Conductdetailed feasibility studies to determine the commercial viabilityof acquisitions, expansion projects and new facilities.
• Developcompelling business cases, financial models and investment proposals .
• Performand interpret key commercial calculations, including ROI,profitability, payback periods and other relevant financial metrics .
• Coordinateacquisition due diligence alongside Finance, Legal, Compliance, Operationsand other stakeholders.
• Identifyemerging market opportunities and provide recommendations to supportlong-term growth.

Branch & Land Expansion

• Identifystrategically attractive locations and land opportunities for newbranches and facilities .
• Assessmarket potential, location suitability, commercial viability and expansionrequirements.
• Manageand support land expansion projects , ensuring that key milestones,stakeholders and deliverables are effectively coordinated.
• Supportbranch-opening projects from concept through to operational readiness.
• Conductresearch and feasibility assessments to validate proposed expansionopportunities.
• Monitorexpansion projects, timelines, risks, budgets and deliverables.
• Leadand support opportunities for crematorium expansion and development .
• Evaluatecommercial feasibility, market demand and potential return on investment.
• Conductmarket and location assessments for potential crematorium opportunities.
• Workwith relevant stakeholders to ensure regulatory, legal and governancerequirements are met.
• Supportprojects from initial concept and feasibility through implementation.

Business Development & Lead Generation

• Developand implement innovative lead-generation strategies to create asustainable business pipeline.
• Identifyand pursue new revenue opportunities across multiple markets.
• Identify,qualify and convert high-value business opportunities.
• Developrelationships with decision-makers and key influencers.
• Trackopportunities, pipeline performance and conversion rates.

Contract Business Development

Identify, develop and secure contract opportunities across:

• Corporateorganisations
• Governmententities
• Industrialorganisations
• Unions
• Institutionalclients
• Communityorganisations

Prepare compelling proposals, presentations, tenders andbusiness pitches that clearly communicate the organisation’s valueproposition, products and services.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Buildand maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Engageconfidently with senior decision-makers and prospective partners.
• Coordinatecross-functional teams to move opportunities from concept to execution.
• Representthe organisation professionally in commercial negotiations and businessengagements.
• Deliver exceptional presentations to senior management, prospectiveclients, investors, partners and other key stakeholders.

Performance, Financial Analysis, Risk & Governance

• Assessthe financial viability of proposed acquisitions, land opportunities andexpansion projects.
• Calculateand analyse ROI, profitability, investment returns, payback periods andother commercial indicators .
• Monitorproject and business development performance against agreed objectives.
• Identifyand manage commercial, operational and regulatory risks.
• Ensureinitiatives comply with governance, regulatory and internal policyrequirements.
• Provideregular progress reports, market intelligence and strategicrecommendations to management.

Requirements

WHAT WE’R LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for someone who combines commercialinstinct, analytical thinking and strategic execution .

• Bachelor’sDegree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Property Studies or a related field.
• 5–8years’ relevant experience in business development, acquisitions,strategic expansion, property development or a related field.
• Provenexperience in land acquisition and/or land expansion projects .
• Proventrack record in delivering expansion projects, branch openings orregulated facility rollouts .
• Experienceconducting market research and feasibility studies .
• Strongcommercial and financial acumen.
• Strongunderstanding of ROI, profitability calculations, financial modellingand commercial business cases .
• Abilityto analyse financial information and use calculations to determine thecommercial viability of opportunities.
• Experiencein contract business development with corporates, governmententities, unions or institutional clients.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills , with the ability toconfidently present business cases, proposals and recommendations tosenior stakeholders.
• Provenexperience developing business cases and investment proposals .
• Strongproject coordination and execution capability.
• Excellentstakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Strongnegotiation and proposal development skills.
• Validdriver's licence.
• Willingnessto travel as required.

THE PERSON WE’R

Commercially Astute

You understand the numbers behind a business opportunity.You can confidently calculate and interpret ROI, profitability andcommercial returns and use this information to support sound investmentdecisions.

Strategic Thinker

You can assess a piece of land, a potential acquisition or anew market and determine whether it represents a genuine strategic opportunity.

Research & Analysis Driven

You know how to conduct market research, feasibilitystudies and commercial assessments and turn your findings into actionablerecommendations.

Exceptional Presenter

You can take complex financial, commercial and strategicinformation and turn it into a clear, compelling and persuasive presentation for senior decision-makers.

Opportunity Hunter

You’re naturally curious and constantly looking for the nextacquisition, land opportunity, market, partnership or growth opportunity.

Execution Focused

You don’t just identify opportunities — you know how tocoordinate stakeholders, manage projects and turn approved strategies intomeasurable results.

Relationship Builder

You’re confident engaging with senior executives, propertystakeholders, government entities, corporate clients and external partners.

Results Driven

You measure success through growth, profitability, returnon investment and tangible commercial outcomes.

Requirements

WHAT WE’R LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for someone who combines commercialinstinct, analytical thinking and strategic execution .

• Bachelor’sDegree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Property Studies or a related field.
• 5–8years’ relevant experience in business development, acquisitions,strategic expansion, property development or a related field.
• Provenexperience in land acquisition and/or land expansion projects .
• Proventrack record in delivering expansion projects, branch openings orregulated facility rollouts .
• Experienceconducting market research and feasibility studies .
• Strongcommercial and financial acumen.
• Strongunderstanding of ROI, profitability calculations, financial modellingand commercial business cases .
• Abilityto analyse financial information and use calculations to determine thecommercial viability of opportunities.
• Experiencein contract business development with corporates, governmententities, unions or institutional clients.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills , with the ability toconfidently present business cases, proposals and recommendations tosenior stakeholders.
• Provenexperience developing business cases and investment proposals .
• Strongproject coordination and execution capability.
• Excellentstakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Strongnegotiation and proposal development skills.
• Validdriver's licence.
• Willingnessto travel as required.

THE PERSON WE’R

Commercially Astute

You understand the numbers behind a business opportunity.You can confidently calculate and interpret ROI, profitability andcommercial returns and use this information to support sound investmentdecisions.

Strategic Thinker

You can assess a piece of land, a potential acquisition or anew market and determine whether it represents a genuine strategic opportunity.

Research & Analysis Driven

You know how to conduct market research, feasibilitystudies and commercial assessments and turn your findings into actionablerecommendations.

Exceptional Presenter

You can take complex financial, commercial and strategicinformation and turn it into a clear, compelling and persuasive presentation for senior decision-makers.

Opportunity Hunter

You’re naturally curious and constantly looking for the nextacquisition, land opportunity, market, partnership or growth opportunity.

Execution Focused

You don’t just identify opportunities — you know how tocoordinate stakeholders, manage projects and turn approved strategies intomeasurable results.

Relationship Builder

You’re confident engaging with senior executives, propertystakeholders, government entities, corporate clients and external partners.

Results Driven

You measure success through growth, profitability, returnon investment and tangible commercial outcomes.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

Every successful acquisition, land opportunity, expansionproject, strategic partnership and contract creates an opportunity to expandour reach, strengthen our market position and deliver greater value to thecommunities we serve.

You won’t simply be maintaining a pipeline.

You’ll be helping identify where the business shouldgrow, why it should grow there, and what it will take to make that growthcommercially successful.

See the opportunity. Analyse the numbers. Build thestrategy. Make growth happen.

YOUR NEXT BIG MOVE STARTS HERE.