Business Development Executive

Key Responsibilities

New Business Development

• Identify and acquire new clients across corporate (B2B), individual (B2C), and institutional markets
• Proactively source opportunities within key industries (corporate, government, NGOs, SMEs, and professional bodies)
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities

Solution Selling & Programme Development

• Engage clients to understand workforce challenges, skills gaps, and training requirements
• Collaborate with academic and product teams to design customised short programmes aligned to client needs
• Present tailored learning solutions, proposals, and commercial models to clients
• Position offerings as strategic enablers of organisational growth and transformation

Client Relationship Management

• Build long-term partnerships with key stakeholders (HR, L&D Heads, Executives)
• Manage the full sales cycle from prospecting through to closing and account growth
• Ensure high levels of client satisfaction, retention, and repeat business

Market & Channel Expansion

• Identify and develop alternative revenue streams (partnerships, channel sales, reseller models, digital platforms)
• Monitor industry trends in education, EdTech, and skills development to inform product and sales strategies
• Represent the organisation at industry events, networking forums, and client engagements

Sales Performance & Reporting

• Achieve and exceed revenue and deal targets
• Maintain accurate pipeline tracking, forecasting, and CRM updates
• Provide market feedback to influence product development and go-to-market strategies

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Education, HR, or related field (MBA advantageous)
• Minimum 5-8 years' experience in business development within education, training, EdTech, or L&D environments
• Proven track record of closing high-value B2B deals and building long-term client relationships
• Experience in selling customised training solutions, short courses, or learning programmes

Key Competencies

• Consultative Selling: Ability to diagnose business needs and design tailored learning solutions
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of pricing, margins, and deal structuring
• L&D Expertise: Solid knowledge of learning frameworks, skills development, and programme design
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to engage and influence senior decision-makers
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify growth opportunities and new revenue channels
• Negotiation & Closing Skills: Proven ability to close complex deals
• Relationship Building: Strong networking and client engagement capability

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• New business revenue generated
• Number and value of new accounts acquired
• Pipeline growth and conversion rates
• Client retention and repeat business
• Number of customised programmes successfully launched
• Contribution to new market/channel development

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with corporate L&D teams or HR leadership
• Exposure to SETA / skills development frameworks (South Africa context advantageous)
• Background in digital learning, blended learning, or EdTech platforms
• Experience across multiple industries (finance, ICT, public sector, retail, etc.)

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Consistently securing high-value, long-term training contracts
• Building a strong portfolio of industry-specific learning solutions
• Expanding footprint across multiple sectors and client segments
• Acting as a trusted advisor to clients on workforce development