SALES DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE

Empire Recruitment Ltd; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Empire Recruitment Ltd is seeking a proactive Business Development professional to identify and research new opportunities across targeted sectors and markets. You will build prospect lists, engage prospects via cold calls, email and LinkedIn, and generate qualified leads for the sales team.

You will map stakeholders across HR, Finance, Procurement and other functions, maintain outbound activity, and capture results in CRM.

Qualifications

• Matric is essential.
• Diploma or degree in Sales, Marketing, Business or Commerce will be advantageous.
• 2–4 years' experience in business development, sales development, lead generation, outbound sales or B2B prospecting.
• Experience in financial services, insurance, employee benefits, healthcare, consulting or professional services will be advantageous.
• Proven ability to conduct proactive outbound prospecting and generate new opportunities.
• Strong telephone, email and LinkedIn communication skills.
• Experience using CRM systems and prospecting tools such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator will be advantageous.
• Strong research and stakeholder-mapping abilities.
• Good understanding of the B2B sales process and how to identify genuine buying signals.
• Comfortable working to targets, activity KPIs and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Identify and research new business opportunities across sectors.
• Build prospect lists using LinkedIn, market research, referrals, industry databases and internal networks.
• Proactively engage prospects through cold calling, email, LinkedIn and other approved channels.
• Identify key decision-makers and influencers across HR, Finance, Procurement, Risk, Operations, Executive and Employee Benefits functions.
• Generate qualified leads and secure meetings for the sales and technical specialist teams.
• Research target companies and prepare relevant background information ahead of meetings.
• Identify potential opportunities across Healthcare, Wellness, Risk, Retirement, International Benefits, Government and Tenders.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across different business divisions.
• Maintain consistent outbound activity and follow up on prospects throughout the sales cycle.
• Accurately capture leads, activities, follow-ups and meeting outcomes on CRM.
• Work closely with senior salespeople to ensure a smooth handover of qualified opportunities.
• Monitor competitor activity, market movements and potential opportunities within target markets.
• Contribute directly to building a healthy and diversified sales pipeline.

Skills

Lead generation

Outbound sales

LinkedIn

CRM experience

Prospecting

Stakeholder mapping

Education

Matric

Diploma/degree in Sales/Marketing/Business/Commerce

Tools

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Job description

What you'll be doing

• Identify and research new business opportunities across targeted sectors and markets.
• Build and maintain prospect lists using LinkedIn, market research, referrals, industry databases and internal networks.
• Proactively engage prospects through cold calling, email, LinkedIn and other approved channels.
• Identify key decision-makers and influencers across HR, Finance, Procurement, Risk, Operations, Executive and Employee Benefits functions.
• Generate qualified leads and secure meetings for the sales and technical specialist teams.
• Research target companies and prepare relevant background information ahead of meetings.
• Identify potential opportunities across Healthcare, Wellness, Risk, Retirement, International Benefits, Government and Tenders.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across different business divisions.
• Maintain consistent outbound activity and follow up on prospects throughout the sales cycle.
• Accurately capture leads, activities, follow-ups and meeting outcomes on CRM.
• Work closely with senior salespeople to ensure a smooth handover of qualified opportunities.
• Monitor competitor activity, market movements and potential opportunities within target markets.
• Contribute directly to building a healthy and diversified sales pipeline.

What we're looking for

• Matric is essential.
• A diploma or degree in Sales, Marketing, Business, Commerce or a related field will be advantageous.
• 2–4 years' experience in business development, sales development, lead generation, outbound sales or B2B prospecting.
• Experience in financial services, insurance, employee benefits, healthcare, consulting or professional services will be advantageous.
• Proven ability to conduct proactive outbound prospecting and generate new opportunities.
• Strong telephone, email and LinkedIn communication skills.
• Experience using CRM systems and prospecting tools such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator will be advantageous.
• Strong research and stakeholder-mapping abilities.
• Good understanding of the B2B sales process and how to identify genuine buying signals.
• Comfortable working to targets, activity KPIs and deadlines.

The person we're looking for

You're a true hunter. You enjoy picking up the phone, starting conversations and finding opportunities where others may not see them.

You’re resilient, persistent and commercially curious, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders and the discipline to follow up until you get an answer.

You don't take rejection personally. Instead, you use it as motivation to make the next call.

You’re organised, accountable and comfortable working independently, while still being a strong team player. Most importantly, you have the drive to create your own pipeline rather than wait for someone else to create it for you.

If you're an ambitious B2B sales professional who loves the thrill of opening new doors and creating opportunities, this could be the next step in your career.