SUMMARY:
Business Manager
POSITION INFO:
Role Description and Duties:
· Responsible for leading the organization’s business development, sales, and operational strategies to achieve sustainable growth and exceptional client service delivery.
· The Business Manager (BM) identifies new business opportunities, nurtures client relationships.
· The Business Manager drives the company’s market position as a trusted specialist in B-BBEE advisory services.
· He/she ensures that the business is financially sustainable through effective commercial strategies.
· He/she is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, and ensuring the back-office function is lean and effective; and is responsible for identifying and on-boarding new Associated /Advisors (Independent Contractor).
Strategic Leadership
· Develop and execute a clear commercial strategy aligned with the company’s mission and goals.
· Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes related to B-BBEE and ensure the company remains a market leader.
· Analyze market data and client feedback to recommend service enhancements.
· Foster collaboration across advisory teams to deliver comprehensive B-BBEE solutions.
· Position the company as a thought leader by ensuring ongoing training and professional development for the advisory team.
Business development and client relationship management
· Identify and pursue new business opportunities and potential clients.
· Research and analyze market trends to identify growth opportunities.
· Lead marketing and business development initiatives.
· Build and maintain strong relationships with clients to ensure satisfaction, retention, and business growth.
· Develop and implement engagement strategies, including workshops, webinars, and strategic forums.
B-BBEE advisory leadership
· Stay updated with developments in B-BBEE legislation and best practices.
· Support and lead the advisory team to deliver accurate and relevant client solutions.
· Maintain relationships with industry experts and regulators to ensure alignment and influence.
· Ensure continuous professional development of the advisory team.
Associated advisor (independent contractor) on-boarding
· Identify and recruit new Associated Advisors to expand the company's advisory capacity.
· Develop and implement on-boarding processes for new Associated Advisors to ensure alignment with company values, standards, and operational practices.
· Establish and maintain contracts, performance monitoring systems, and engagement guidelines for Associated Advisors.
· Foster strong relationships with Associated Advisors to ensure their long-term engagement and effectiveness.
Project co-ordination and strategic resource allocation:
· Work closely with the Business Manager to identify project opportunities within BBBEE progress reporting and transformation impact reporting for companies.
· Ensure that transformation reporting effectively reflects the impact of BBBEE contributions, expenditure, and initiatives.
· Pool together a combination of internal skills from Associates and Advisors or source required expertise from the market to ensure project success.
· Allocate the right resource or combination of individuals to client projects/accounts based on expertise, client needs, and project objectives.
· Ensure seamless coordination between internal and external stakeholders to optimize project execution and impact.
Identify and sales and revenue generation
· Set and achieve sales targets and revenue goals.
· Develop strategic sales and marketing plans to expand the client base.
· Create and maintain a client pricing framework for advisors and projects
· Create compelling proposals tailored to client needs.
· Negotiate contracts and pricing to maximize profitability.
· Prepare and manage sales forecasts, budgets, and performance reports.
Operational management and back-office sustainability
· Ensure efficient and effective back-office operations.
· Develop and manage commercial strategies that make the back-office function financially self-sustaining.
· Establish a viable revenue share model and cost-incentive structures that benefit both back-office resources and the business.
· Standardize processes for quality and productivity.
· Manage client projects, ensuring adherence to SLAs and regulatory requirements.
· Facilitate collaboration between internal and external stakeholders.
· Maintain centralization and proper filing of client-related documentation.
Governance and financial management
· Strategically structure project teams to ensure costs are well planned and aligned with the company’s revenue share model.
· Ensure that fee/commission structures enable commercial viability, balancing competitive payouts with sustainable business margins.
· Monitor project cost allocations to maintain financial efficiency while covering internal overheads and cost of services (CoS).
· Provide insights and recommendations on resource allocation to optimize profitability and maintain high value service delivery.
· Develop and manage budgets and financial strategies.
· Monitor financial performance and cost control.
· Implement risk management strategies.
· Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and company policies.
· Maintain accurate records of client interactions, contracts, and billing.
Team leadership and development
· Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Associates/advisors and support staff.
· Foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and innovation.
· Plan and schedule training programs for team development.
· Monitor and manage team performance, ensuring alignment with business goals.
Authority
· Form and recommend client and associate relationships.
· Develop and facilitate business marketing exposure.
· Approve project budgets, pricing models, and strategic initiatives aligned with business growth and commercial model
· Recommend process improvements and innovative solutions.
· Act within prescribed policies and approval mandates.
· Recommend and motivate amendment of company policies, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and governance standards and executes as agreed with board.
Decision making
· Has the authority to represent the business in negotiations, partnerships, and stakeholder engagements.
· Can hire, develop, and manage team performance to ensure a high-functioning business unit.
· Recommends the overall strategic direction and proposes financial targets for the business.
· Decides on business development initiatives, new service offerings, and market expansion strategies.
· Approves financial plans, cost management strategies, and investment in technology and operational tools.
· Evaluates risk and compliance measures, ensuring adherence to B-BBEE Codes and regulatory frameworks.
· Assesses and implements performance improvement strategies across advisory and operational functions.
Aligning performance for success:
· Collaboratively work with direct reports to set meaningful performance goals, establish an approach to achieve set objectives and create a learning environment.
Coaching:
· Providing timely guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task or solve a problem.
Decision making:
· Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions, using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solution, taking action that is consistent.
Initiating action:
· Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives, taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required and being proactive.
Leading through vision and values:
· Communicates the importance of the vision and values, translate the vision and values into day-to-day activities and behaviours, guides and motivates others to take actions that support the vision and values, recognizes and rewards associates whose actions support the organization's vision and values.
Minimum Requirements:
Qualifications & Experience:
· Bachelor’s degree in Business, Commerce, or a related field (required).
· Qualification (at least at Certification or training) in B-BBEE advisory services (required)
· Postgraduate qualification in Business or Management (preferred).
· Position is senior and starts with bedding down a new operational and commercial model, ensuring team is secure and equipped to deliver the back office and support function as per strategic vision.
· The role then maintains service excellence by continuous leaning into operations as a leader while focusing externally on sales and marketing efforts to attract new business and phase in new associates at a commercially viable pace.
· Business development and client retention
· Sales and revenue growth
· Business commercial viability
· Identification and appropriate allocation of the right combinations of skills for the business services
· Build a pool of experienced BBBEE specialist /new associates.
· Associate/ic-advisor on-boarding and engagement
· Operational efficiency and back office effectiveness
· Advisory quality, governance and compliance
· Team leadership and development
· Brand building, effective marketing and thought leadership
Knowledge, competencies and skills
· Expert understanding of B-BBEE legislation particularly the DTi/generic codes
· Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
· Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
· Ability to build and maintain client relationships.
· Financial acumen and budget management.
· Leadership and team development skills.
· Proficiency in CRM/customer information management and business management software.
· Strong project management and organizational skills.
Personal attributes
· Attention to detail on technical aspects of the BBBEE legislation and various codes into sound strategic and compliant practical advise
· Results-driven and entrepreneurial mindset.
· Ethical and professional conduct.
· Collaborative and innovative thinker.
· High attention to detail and analytical capability.
· Resilient and adaptable to change.
· Ability to handle difficult customers internal and external and achieve results through others
· Ability to lead a highly effective and engaged teams effectively
· Great problem solving and negotiation
Experience
· 10 years of experience in a commercial, business development, or advisory role.
· Strong understanding of B-BBEE legislation and sound track record in transformation strategies.
· Proven track record of client relationship management and revenue growth.
· Experience in operational management and team leadership.
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
· Must comply with all OHS, security and disease control requirements on company and in client environment as required.
