Sales Director

Elite Search and Selection; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruiting firm is seeking an experienced Sales Director to lead the growth strategy across multiple business lines in Johannesburg. The role involves driving business development initiatives, building a high-performing sales team, and identifying new revenue opportunities in financial services. Candidates should possess strong leadership experience, an understanding of trade finance, and a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in sales, with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of trade finance and credit products.
• Proven ability to deliver client-specific financial solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy.
• Build and lead a new sales team focused on growth.
• Identify new market opportunities and expand existing relationships.
• Structure and negotiate complex deals and solutions.
• Collaborate with leadership to ensure commercial success.

Skills

Business acumen

Sales leadership

Client engagement

Deal structuring

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics

MBA

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Sales Director to lead the growth strategy across multiple business lines.

This is a hands‑on and strategic role — the successful candidate will drive business development initiatives, engage with existing clients, identify and secure new business (“new logos”), and build a high‑performing sales team focused on diversifying and expanding the company’s client base.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s go‑to‑market strategy, identifying new avenues for revenue, and ensuring alignment between commercial objectives and operational delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy across multiple financial services lines.
• Build, lead, and mentor a new sales team focused on growth beyond the company’s current core segment.
• Identify new market opportunities, onboard new clients, and expand existing client relationships.
• Engage directly with clients across SMEs and large enterprises, understanding their credit and financial needs.
• Design and implement distribution strategies and innovative business channels for expansion.
• Structure and negotiate complex deals and solutions in areas such as trade finance, guarantees, bonding, and factoring.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with leadership, underwriting, and product teams to ensure commercial success.
• Prepare and present regular performance forecasts and strategic growth reports to executive leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related discipline (MBA advantageous).
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in sales, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership in financial services.
• Strong understanding of trade finance, credit insurance, guarantees, bonding, and factoring.
• Proven ability to structure deals and deliver client‑specific financial solutions.
• Experience engaging with both SMEs and large corporates.
• Track record of building and managing high‑performance sales teams.
• Strong network and working knowledge of the South African financial and credit landscape.

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercial thinker with exceptional business acumen.
• Entrepreneurial mindset — thrives in an agile, fast‑paced, and evolving business.
• Solutions‑driven and client‑focused, able to identify and address client needs with creativity and precision.
• Hands‑on leadership style, willing to engage directly in business development activities.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and resilience.