The role:
A global BPO and CX company is searching for a dynamic and ambitious South African professional to lead our strategic expansion into the United States market. This role represents a unique opportunity to spearhead international growth for our leading Johannesburg based contact centre and establish our presence in one of the world's largest outsourcing markets.
This role offers an exceptional opportunity for a talented professional to make a significant impact on our international growth while developing expertise in cross-border business development. The successful candidate will be instrumental in establishing our US presence and building the foundation for long-term success in this critical market.
Very important to note, this role will require extensive travel to the US and will operate on US time zones. Experience in US markets is unfortunately not negotiable.
What you can expect in the role:
Building and Executing the International Growth Strategy
- Develop and implement a comprehensive market entry and expansion strategy for the USA
- Identify high-potential sectors (e.g., FinTech, Healthcare, Retail, Telecoms) for outsourcing opportunities
- Align the company’s value proposition with US market demands and competitive positioning
- Set measurable targets for revenue growth, client acquisition, and market penetration
Researching and Analysing the International Contact Centre Market
- Conduct in-depth market research to understand trends, competitor offerings, and pricing models.
- Analyse regulatory, economic, and cultural factors impacting outsourcing decisions in the USA.
- Identify and prioritise target clients (e.g., mid-market enterprises, Fortune 500 companies, digital-first brands).
- Provide insights to tailor service offerings (e.g., customer support, sales, back-office services)
Managing Key Stakeholder Relationships
- Build and nurture relationships with industry influencers, consultants, and outsourcing advisors in the USA
- Partner with legal, finance, and operational teams to structure competitive proposals
- Represent the company at international trade events, conferences, and networking forums
- Leverage existing clients and partners for referrals and introductions.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for US clients and stakeholders
- Build trust and credibility within the US business community
Budgeting and Financial Management
- Develop and manage budgets for international business development initiatives
- Ensure cost-effective travel, marketing, and lead-generation strategies
- Monitor ROI on business development activities and adjust strategies as needed
- Collaborate with finance teams to structure profitable pricing models and contracts
Recruiting and Leading a High-Performing Business Development Team
- Attract, onboard and lead a team of specialists (e.g., sales enablement, market analysts, proposal writers, client onboarding)
- Set clear KPIs for the team and monitor performance against targets
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and results-driven execution
- Provide training on international sales best practices and outsourcing industry dynamics
What you'll need:
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree. Experience in Business, International Relations, Marketing, or related fields will be beneficial
- 5+ years in international business development, outsourcing sales, or consulting (BPO/Contact Centre industry highly desirable)
- Proven track record of successful international business relationships
- Experience working with US companies or in US markets preferred
Skills:
- Strong financial and strategic analysis capabilities
- Exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills
- Knowledge of USA business culture and outsourcing drivers
- Proficiency in CRM tools and data-driven decision-making
Personal Attributes:
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities
- Resilient and adaptable to navigate cross-cultural business environments
- Strong leadership and team motivation abilities
- Ambitious: Driven to achieve exceptional results and career growth
- Self-Starter: Highly motivated with ability to work independently and take initiative
- Adaptable: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and changing market conditions
- Professional: Polished presentation and executive presence
- Willingness to travel frequently to the USA