Sales Associate: Government

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning & development

Competitive package

Pension & medical

Job summary

The CSIR invites applications for a Sales Associate: Government at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. The role focuses on securing local, national and international government conferences to meet CSIR ICC targets.

Reporting to the Business Development Manager, you will drive annual government sales plans, manage client engagements, host site visits, prepare bids, and represent CSIR ICC at events and trade shows to grow market share.

Qualifications

• Grade XII with at least five years’ experience in local and international conferencing.
• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in marketing or similar advantageous.
• Experience in research, selling and promotional activities to the government market.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and implement an annual sales plan for the government market.
• Research government markets and generate viable leads for sales calls.
• Coordinate site inspections for potential clients and prepare bids, proposals and quotations.
• Achieve sales targets through active sales activities and monthly reporting.
• Represent CSIR ICC as primary contact with industry associations and at trade shows.

Skills

Sales experience

Customer service

Networking

Presentation skills

Attention to detail

Professionalism

Brand building

Communication

Travel flexibility

Education

Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Marketing

SAQA evaluation for international qualifications

Job description

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Sales Associate: Government in the

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation¿s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Sales Associate: Government

Skilled and Junior Management

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Sales Associate: Government for the CSIR International Convention Centre in the CSIR Conferencing and Accommodation portfolio (C&A). The incumbent will be responsible for securing local, national and international government conferences in order to meet the CSIR ICC sales and market targets. This position is based at Pretoria.

This position reports to Business Development Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Research and planning

• Prepare and implement an annual sales plan for the government market
• Research the government markets and generate viable leads for sales calls
• Undertake research to understand and report on the competition and customer preferences and behaviour in the market and contribute to the annual strategic planning process

Sales Activities

• Proactively visit and meet with potential customers (sales calls)
• Coordinate and host site inspections for potential clients
• Prepare bids, proposals and quotations for potential customers and follow up ensuring that sales leads are turned into actual sales
• Achieve sales targets through active sales activities
• Monthly reporting
• Represent the CSIR Internation Convention Centre (ICC) as the primary contact with industry associations
• Co-ordinate the CSIR ICC stand and represent the CSIR ICC at trade shows as identified in the marketing strategy together with other Sales Executives
• Ensure proper interdepartmental communication during and after event handover and provide onsite event support to Event Coordinator as and when required
• Deliver CSIR ICC presentations at tradeshows, workshops, industry events, off site at client offices or on site at CSIR ICC as required

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A grade twelve certificate with at least five years¿ experience in local and international conferencing environment
• A diploma or bachelor¿s degree in marketing or similar environment will be advantageous
• Experience in research, selling and promotional activities to the government market
• Driver¿s license and own vehicle
• Flexibility, willing to travel and work extraordinary hours
• High level of professionalism and confidence
• Attention to detail
• Building and living the brand
• Customer service orientation
• Networking and liaison
• Presentation skills.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

What’s in it for you?

The CSIR Offers

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

Closing date: 25 September 2026

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant¿s educational qualification and employment history.

The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.