Business Development & Lead Generation Intern (Graduate Workplace Learning programme)

Purpose of the role:

The Business Development & Lead Generation Intern forms part of Signa Opportunity's Graduate Workplace Learning Programme and supports the organisation's commercial growth by contributing to business development activities that generate sustainable sales opportunities. The role focuses on identifying, researching, and engaging prospective clients, supporting lead generation initiatives, maintaining an active sales pipeline, and contributing to the growth of both existing and emerging workforce sustainability solutions.

About the Role:

As a Business Development & Lead Generation Intern, you will work under the guidance of the Business Growth & Customer Experience Manager, gaining structured workplace exposure to consultative business development, customer relationship management (CRM), market intelligence, opportunity qualification, and commercial pipeline management. You will support lead generation campaigns, engage with prospective clients, contribute to sales and business development activities, and assist in strengthening Signa Opportunity's workforce sustainability solutions, including graduate employability initiatives. This internship provides an excellent opportunity to build professional capability in solution selling, customer engagement, and business development while contributing to the organisation's long-term growth strategy and diversification.

Key Responsibilities:

Market Intelligence & Opportunity Research

Support the identification of prospective clients and commercial opportunities aligned with Signa Opportunity's strategic growth objectives.

• Conducting market research to identify prospective employers and strategic partners.
• Researching industries, organisations and sectors aligned with workforce sustainability solutions.
• Identifying opportunities arising from B-BBEE, ESG, ESD, graduate development and youth employment initiatives.
• Maintaining prospect databases and market intelligence records.
• Monitoring competitor activity and emerging market trends.

Lead Generation & Prospect Development

Support the creation of a healthy and sustainable sales pipeline.

• Identifying and qualifying prospective clients.
• Conducting initial outreach through approved communication channels.
• Scheduling introductory meetings for Business Growth and Executive Management.
• Maintaining accurate prospect records within the CRM/company customer database.
• Following up on marketing-generated enquiries.
• Assisting in nurturing prospective client relationships.

Sales Pipeline Management

Support disciplined management of business development opportunities from prospecting through to proposal stage.

• Updating pipeline trackers and CRM systems.
• Monitoring opportunity progression through the sales cycle.
• Supporting lead qualification activities.
• Tracking conversion ratios and pipeline health.
• Escalating opportunities requiring management attention.

Business Development Campaign Support

Work closely with the Marketing & Brand Intern to translate campaigns into measurable commercial opportunities.

• Supporting lead generation campaigns.
• Assisting with business development events and networking initiatives.
• Coordinating follow-up activities arising from campaigns.
• Preparing prospecting lists for targeted outreach.
• Supporting account-based marketing initiatives.
• Assisting with employer engagement activities.

Customer Relationship & Stakeholder Engagement

Support professional engagement with prospective and existing clients.

• Preparing meeting packs and client briefing notes.
• Coordinating introductory meetings.
• Maintaining records of customer interactions.
• Supporting customer experience initiatives.
• Assisting with proposal coordination and follow-up activities.
• Demonstrating professional communication at all times.

Sales Reporting & Commercial Intelligence

Provide accurate reporting that supports commercial decision-making.

• Preparing weekly pipeline reports.
• Tracking lead generation performance.
• Monitoring campaign-to-opportunity conversion.
• Assisting with sales dashboards.
• Supporting analysis of business development performance.
• Identifying trends and recommending improvements.

Professional Development & Workplace Readiness

Actively participate in structured workplace learning and commercial capability development.

• Participating in mentoring and coaching sessions.
• Developing consultative selling skills.
• Applying feedback to improve performance.
• Building confidence in customer engagement.
• Demonstrating professionalism, accountability and continuous learning.

Minimum requirements:

• South African unemployed youth aged 18-34.
• National Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Bachelor's Degree (NQF Level 6 or higher) in:
  • Marketing
  • Business Management
  • Sales Management
  • Commerce
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Public Relations
  • Economics or a related qualification.

Required skills:

Working knowledge of, or willingness to develop capability in:

• Microsoft Office Suite.
• CRM systems.
• Market research.
• Prospecting techniques.
• Business communication.
• Sales reporting.
• Presentation preparation.
• Customer relationship management.
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator and digital prospecting tools (advantageous).
• Responsible use of AI-enabled productivity tools to support research, customer profiling and communication preparation.

Behavioural Competencies

The successful incumbent should demonstrate the potential to develop:

• Commercial awareness.
• Customer focus.
• Initiative.
• Resilience.
• Confidence.
• Communication skills.
• Networking ability.
• Planning and organising.
• Collaboration.
• Adaptability.
• Accountability.
• Continuous learning.

Physical Abilities Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods
• Fine dexterity to operate computer, calculator and other office equipment.
• Visual alertness to inspect documents for accuracy.
• Ability to hear and speak to exchange information.
• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop and reach for work tools of trade etc.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry standard office items/tools of trade.
• Ability to attend work at least in normal business hours.
• Ability to stay alert and sustain effectiveness through antisocial hours in times of emergencies or conflicting deadlines/work under pressure
• Ability to endure at least local and regional business travel as required by either road, and or air
• Able to balance office-based work while balancing customer engagement demands.

Please consider your application unsuccessful when you have not heard from the Signa Opportunity team within two weeks of submitting your application.