Chief Commercial Officer (Research Industry Experience)

Be Different; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Be Different in South Africa seeks a strategic Commercial Growth & GTM leader to own the Apex product's market strategy and drive significant revenue growth. You will lead cross-functional teams across sales, marketing, and operations, overseeing premium client negotiations and building a high-performing commercial organization for Africa markets.

This role requires extensive CRM, new business development, and industry insight, with a focus on delivering sustained, premium client outcomes.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years executive level experience in CRM and New Business Development.
• At least 7 years leading a professional team.
• At least 5 years is a consulting, research or data analytics industry
• Knowledge of the competitive market and industry trends.
• Broad knowledge of various industries and business intelligence.
• Knowledge of Digital Marketing principles.
• Knowledge of SA labour law and performance management principles.
• Experience within the market research, insights, data analytics or related consulting industry would be highly advantageous

Responsibilities

• Own the commercial & go-to-market strategy for the Apex Product, to deliver 45% revenue growth - prioritise segments, channels and partnerships that accelerate adoption and maximise ROI
• Deliver quarterly new-business revenue, margin and conversion targets across the full product portfolio and markets - set targets (for FY28), monitor performance and reallocate resources to the highest-impact opportunities
• Lead sales performance and contract negotiations to convert high-value opportunities and protect commercial terms - coach the sales team, enforce conversion targets and approve key commercial agreements
• Commercialise portfolio revenue opportunities (cross-sell, upsell and lifecycle value) to increase client lifetime value and reduce churn
• Own strategic premium client contract negotiations and commercial terms to protect margins and convert high-value opportunities into sustainable, retained revenue
• Ensure profitable commercial agreements, rigorous documentation governance and CRM-driven account management to protect margins, improve operational efficiency and drive retention and recurring revenue
• Drive deeply strategic relationships (new clients, partners, and industry influencers) and account stewardship to secure high-value renewals, upsell opportunities and client advocacy - to increase retention, referrals and the businesses premium reputation in target markets across Africa
• To have complete oversight of the Marketing & Brand Experience: ensure the Marketing Manager delivers brand, communications and demand programs that drive product adoption, retention and revenue to support the 45% growth target and enhance the premium market positioning
• Lead and manage operational excellence for the commercial team to ensure consistent delivery of departmental objectives - securing predictable revenue growth, improved retention resulting in a premium client experience
• Together with finance, compile an accurate budget to enable the department to achieve its strategic objectives
• Manage the allocated budget by monitoring and evaluating expenditure to mitigate risk, minimize overspend and maximize the ROI for the business

Education

Degree in Marketing & Sales or Business Management

MBA

Job description

In order to be considered the following is required:

• Degree in Marketing & Sales or Business Management
• MBA
• 10-15 years executive level experience in CRM and New Business Development
• At least 7 years leading a professional team
• At least 5 years is a consulting, research or data analytics industry
• Knowledge of the competitive market and industry trends
• Broad knowledge of various industries and business intelligence
• Knowledge of Digital Marketing principles
• Knowledge of SA labour law and performance management principles
• Experience within the market research, insights, data analytics or related consulting industry would be highly advantageous

Responsibilities:

Commercial Growth & GTM Ownership:

• Own the commercial & go-to-market strategy for the Apex Product, to deliver 45% revenue growth - prioritise segments, channels and partnerships that accelerate adoption and maximise ROI
• Deliver quarterly new-business revenue, margin and conversion targets across the full product portfolio and markets - set targets (for FY28), monitor performance and reallocate resources to the highest-impact opportunities
• Lead sales performance and contract negotiations to convert high-value opportunities and protect commercial terms - coach the sales team, enforce conversion targets and approve key commercial agreements
• Commercialise portfolio revenue opportunities (cross-sell, upsell and lifecycle value) to increase client lifetime value and reduce churn
• Own strategic premium client contract negotiations and commercial terms to protect margins and convert high-value opportunities into sustainable, retained revenue

Sales Operation Excellence:

• Ensure profitable commercial agreements, rigorous documentation governance and CRM-driven account management to protect margins, improve operational efficiency and drive retention and recurring revenue

Strategic Relationships:

• Drive deeply strategic relationships (new clients, partners, and industry influencers) and account stewardship to secure high-value renewals, upsell opportunities and client advocacy - to increase retention, referrals and the businesses premium reputation in target markets across Africa

Marketing & Premium Brand Experience:

• To have complete oversight of the Marketing & Brand Experience: ensure the Marketing Manager delivers brand, communications and demand programs that drive product adoption, retention and revenue to support the 45% growth target and enhance the premium market positioning

People Management:

• Lead and manage operational excellence for the commercial team to ensure consistent delivery of departmental objectives - securing predictable revenue growth, improved retention resulting in a premium client experience
• Source, develop and retain high-performing commercial talent by providing clear direction, coaching, training and recognition to build the scalable capability needed to deliver premium client outcomes and ambitious revenue targets

Budget Management:

• Together with finance, compile an accurate budget to enable the department to achieve its strategic objectives
• Manage the allocated budget by monitoring and evaluating expenditure to mitigate risk, minimize overspend and maximize the ROI for the business

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Please consider your application as unsuccessful if you have not received a response within 14 days of submitting your application.