Johannesburg: Sales Director posted by Elite Search

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.