Johannesburg: Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager (BDM) plays a pivotal role as the primary liaison between the Company and its esteemed Clients. This role entails identifying and comprehending the unique needs of each Client while adeptly managing their expectations. The overarching goal is to cultivate robust, enduring relationships with Clients and to spearhead the acquisition of new business opportunities. Â Responsibilities: Â Business Development: Generate leads through various channels, including networking, referrals, and cold outreach. Research market trends, competitor offerings, and industry developments to identify opportunities for business expansion. Attend industry events, conferences, and trade shows to showcase company capabilities and network with potential clients. Provide regular updates and reports on sales activities, pipeline status, and forecasts. Client Management: Cultivate enduring relationships with key decision-makers within client organizations. Conduct face-to-face meetings with clients to strengthen rapport. Negotiate competitive billing rates with clients while ensuring profitability. Oversee the management of client contracts, including Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Contracting terms. Conduct regular weekly/monthly check-ins with existing consultants to ensure satisfaction and address any concerns. Permanent Recruitment Contracting: Expertly qualify job specifications received from clients. Effectively load and manage job specifications within the Recruitment System. Provide guidance to recruiters on client culture and candidate requirements. Thoroughly qualify and submit CVs to clients in accordance with their needs. Oversee the completion of reference and background checks for all submitted candidates. Conduct interviews as necessary to assess candidate suitability. IT Consulting: This role requires a dynamic individual with a keen understanding of IT project consulting services, strong sales acumen, and the ability to build and nurture relationships with clients. Identify, pursue, and secure IT project consulting opportunities on behalf of the company. Collaborate with internal teams to tailor solutions to meet client needs effectively. Lead negotiations of contracts and agreements, ensuring favourable terms for the company. Proposal Development and Presentation: Prepare and deliver compelling sales presentations and proposals to prospective clients. Customize proposals to address the specific needs and challenges of each client. Follow up with clients to address questions, concerns, and objections and to secure commitment to move forward. Relationship Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the sales process. Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients to foster repeat business and referrals. Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing insights and recommendations on IT project strategies and solutions. Performance Metrics: Meet or exceed sales targets and revenue goals. Maintain a healthy sales pipeline with sufficient opportunities to achieve targets. Track and report on key performance indicators, including sales conversion rates, deal size, and win/loss ratios. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, or a related field. Proven track record of success in B2B sales, preferably in IT consulting or technology services. Strong understanding of IT project lifecycle and consulting methodologies. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and persuasively. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with clients at all levels of an organization. Strategic thinker with a proactive and results-oriented approach to sales. Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team environment. Proficiency in sales tools for pipeline management and reporting.