New Business Development Lead

VF!; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic shopper marketing agency in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced Business Development Lead to drive growth and lead the sales team. The ideal candidate will possess over 8 years in business development and account management, with extensive experience in the FMCG or Retail sectors. Responsibilities include leading teams, developing sales strategies, managing client relationships, and analyzing market trends. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits such as medical aid and pension fund.

Benefits

OTE

Medical Aid

Pension Fund

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in New Business Development and Account Management.
• 3-5 years in a senior leadership role managing a sales team.
• Essential experience within the Marketing, Retail, or FMCG industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Business Development and Account Management teams.
• Develop and execute a national business development and sales strategy.
• Drive and monitor the full sales pipeline from lead generation to project delivery.
• Oversee high-stakes client pitches and complex negotiations.
• Act as an Executive Sponsor for key client accounts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments for alignment.
• Serve as the final escalation point for client issues.
• Research and analyze market trends for strategic opportunities.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Commercial Acumen

Negotiation & Influencing

Client Relationship Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or similar

Master’s degree (MBA)

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Who we are

VF! Is a dynamic shopper marketing agency that shapes what consumers and shoppers do; helping our clients’ brands win at the moment of choice. We are blessed to work with some of the world's best brands, we have a kick-ass team of humans and we have a bright future. We are fascinated with driving a deeper understanding of what makes people tick and what makes them decide to choose one brand over the other. We have an amazing opportunity based at our Johannesburg office for a highly seasoned Business Development Lead to join our executive team.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an executive leader who is a strategic architect of growth; a target-driven, commercially astute professional to whom the words “market expansion” and “team mentorship” really get their heart racing. A dynamic professional interested in taking full ownership of our sales lifecycle, ensuring best-in-class delivery and unparalleled client satisfaction. Someone who has a passion for building high-performance teams, securing long-term partnerships, and aggressively growing our market share and revenue. The kind of person who walks into the room not just with buzz and energy, but with a proven, executable strategy.

We are looking for someone with extensive Brand, Trade, Shopper, and B2B Marketing experience, specifically in the FMCG/Retail sectors. This individual must possess the strategic thinking and commercial acumen to develop, execute, and monitor a national sales strategy, acting as an Executive Sponsor for our key accounts and a final escalation point for critical commercial decisions. They must be adept at mentoring senior teams and driving results through rigorous commercial oversight and seamless cross-functional collaboration.

Job Description / Requirements

• Executive Leadership: Lead, Mentor, and Manage the Business Development and Account Management teams (including Account Managers, Account Development Managers, and Business Unit Managers) to foster a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Strategy & Execution: Develop and Execute a comprehensive national business development and sales strategy aligned with company objectives and quarterly revenue targets.
• Pipeline Oversight: Drive and Monitor the full sales pipeline, from lead generation through proposal conversion and project delivery.
• Commercial Negotiation: Oversee high-stakes client pitches and complex commercial negotiations, ensuring maximum profitability (margin validation via QPA) and adherence to brief terms.
• C-Level Relationships: Act as an Executive Sponsor for key client accounts, maintaining C-level relationships to secure long-term partnerships and recurring revenue.
• Operational Alignment: Collaborate Closely with Creative, Design, Engineering, and Operations Heads of Departments to align commercial commitments with operational capabilities.
• Escalation Point: Serve as the Final Escalation Point for critical project problems, client disputes, and complex financial issues, driving effective resolution.
• Market Analysis: Research, identify, analyze, and report on market trends and strategic opportunities for expansion into new products or services.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Education: A Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commercial Law, or similar relevant field is required. A Master’s degree (MBA) is highly desirable.
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in New Business Development and Account Management, with a minimum of 3-5 years in a senior leadership role managing a sales team.
• Industry Focus: Essential experience within the Marketing, Retail, or FMCG industry.
• Core Competencies: Demonstrated expertise in Strategic Thinking, Commercial Acumen, Negotiation & Influencing, and Client Relationship Management.
• Technical Skills: Strong administration and reporting capability, including proficiency with CRM software and financial reporting (QPA/sales forecasting).
• Certifications: Project management or marketing-related certifications are advantageous.

Benefits

• OTE
• Medical Aid
• Pension Fund

If you are a passionate New Business Development Lead who understands that the customer is truly king and loves helping great brands amplify themselves in the market, then we want to hear from you.

If you’re ready to step into a fast-paced, high-reward growth business as part of your next career move, please apply.