Business Development Manager

Job Purpose: The Head of Business Development is responsible for driving sustainable growth and profitability by providing strategic direction for market expansion and revenue generation. This role involves a deep understanding of market realities, identifying trends, and pursuing opportunities that align with the company’s long-term objectives. The Head of Business Development leads initiatives for upselling, business expansion, and strategic partnerships, ensuring the organization is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging market opportunities.

Roles:

• Business Development Strategy: Lead market expansion, upselling, and strategic growth initiatives to drive sustainable revenue and profitability.
• Identifying Opportunities: Proactively identify new business opportunities, markets, and potential clients.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategic business plans to achieve organizational goals and objectives. Align business development initiatives with the overall company strategy.
• Client Relationship Management: Identify opportunities to upsell or cross-sell products and services to existing clients.
• Market Expansion: Explore and evaluate new markets, industries for potential business growth.
• Lead Generation and Conversion: Convert leads into actual business by presenting compelling value propositions.
• Negotiation and Deal Closure: Negotiate terms and conditions with clients, ensuring favorable outcomes for the company.
• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate risks associated with new business ventures and partnerships.
• Collaboration with Internal Teams: Collaborate with marketing, sales, product development, and other internal teams to align strategies and ensure cohesive execution.
• Reporting and Analysis: Provide regular reports on business development activities, progress, and outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough market research to identify potential business opportunities.
• Developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve business goals.
• Identifying target markets and customer segments.
• Generating leads through various channels, such as networking, cold calling, and online research.
• Building and maintaining a network of contacts to facilitate business development.
• Develop and implement strategic business plans aligned with the company’s overall objectives.
• Staying informed about industry trends and adapting strategies accordingly.
• Identifying and implementing innovative approaches to business development
• Identifying and negotiating partnerships or alliances that can benefit the company.
• Building and maintaining relationships with key partners.
• Effectively communicating the value proposition of products or services.
• Creating and delivering presentations to clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborating with sales teams to develop and implement effective sales strategies.
• Meeting or exceeding sales targets and contributing to revenue growth.
• Providing input on product or service development based on market feedback and trends.
• Negotiating contracts and agreements with clients, partners, and suppliers.
• Closing deals that contribute to the overall growth of the business.
• Managing and nurturing relationships with clients and customers.
• Ensuring customer satisfaction and addressing any issues or concerns.
• Providing regular reports to management on business development activities and outcomes.
• Other duties as may be assigned by the COO.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Revenue Generation: The overall revenue generated by the BDM through new business acquisitions.
• Sales Achievement: The percentage of the sales target or quota achieved.
• Sales Growth: Percentage increase in sales over a specific period.
• Market Share Increase: Percentage increase in the company’s market share
• Strategic Partnerships: The quantity and quality of partnerships formed with other companies or organizations.
• Customer Acquisition: The quantity of new clients brought in by the BDM
• Percentage of revenue generated through strategic partnership
• The percentage of clients retained over a given period.
• Lead generation: The percentage of leads converted into actual customers
• Sales Cycle Efficiency: The average time it takes to convert a lead into a customer.

Qualification & Educational Requirements:

• A minimum of 8 years cognate experience
• At least 5 years of Job-related experience in a strategic, supervisory or management capacity leading marketing or public relations and sales team within the ICT industry.
• A minimum of Graduate-level degree; MBA would be an added advantage
• Experience working with enterprise and government organizations
• Demonstrated strong servant leadership.
• Knowledge of the product/solutions and competitive environment is required
• Knowledge of principles and method for shows, promotions and selling of solutions. This includes marketing strategies and tactics, product demonstration and sales techniques.
• Knowledge of financial management is critical
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction
• Knowledge of media production, communication and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral and visual media.

Technical Competence:

• Understanding of IT Products and Services: Familiarity with current trends and advancements in IT, including software, hardware, cloud computing, and emerging technologies.
• Industry Knowledge: Understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by clients in the IT sector.
• Market Research: Capability to conduct market research to identify potential clients, competitors, and market trends.
• Stay updated on industry news, regulations, and technological advancements.
• Solution-Oriented Approach: Capacity to understand client requirements and propose customized IT solutions.
• Competitor Analysis: Analytical skills to assess competitors’ strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning.
• Aligning the company’s solutions with the specific needs of clients in a way that demonstrates clear benefits.
• Networking and Relationship Building: Building and maintaining relationships with key players in the industry, including clients, partners, and influencers.

Other Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Business and market intelligence
• Marketing research
• Project management
• Negotiation
• Presentation skills
• Strategic thinking
• Organisation and planning
• Problem-solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Collaboration
• Team-leadership
• Persuasiveness
• Adaptability
• Decision-making
• Networking
• Good product Innovation skills