Business Development Manager at Octagon Africa

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Planning

• Formulate and execute strategies for business growth in products, services, and solutions aligned with company objectives.
• Diversify the product portfolio through continuous innovation and product development.
• Increase market share through targeted selling and market segmentation.
• Implement and achieve agreed-upon budgets, sales volumes, product mixes, and timelines.
• Develop ideas and create offers for direct mail and marketing to SMEs and large corporations.

Market and Business Development

• Identify and capture new markets through direct marketing efforts such as physical visits, emails, and telemarketing.
• Respond to and follow up on sales inquiries via email, telephone, and personal visits.
• Conduct market research, including competitor analysis and customer surveys, and provide insights to the team and management for decision-making.
• Support the line manager in launching new products and expanding branches/regional offices.

Client Relationship Management

• Plan and participate in activities that strengthen ties with existing clients, such as attending Board of Trustees (BOT) meetings with Customer Relationship Managers (CRMs), organizing open forums, and promoting additional products to clients.
• Maintain and develop relationships with existing and new customers through planned individual account support and collaboration with internal department heads and account managers.
• Coordinate marketing activities such as Pension & Insurance clinics, breakfasts, and other client engagement activities.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor and report on business activities, providing guidance to the team and escalating issues to management when necessary.
• Compile bi-weekly and monthly production reports for the department and submit them to the line manager within a week.
• Maintain and report on the suitability of equipment and software for direct reports and operations.

Training and Development

• Attend relevant training sessions to enhance knowledge and skills, ensuring staff are professionally trained and equipped.
• Identify training needs within the team and arrange for appropriate training programs.
• Develop and implement training plans for team members.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to staff to support their career growth.
• Organize workshops and seminars to enhance team skills and knowledge.

Strategy Development and Review:

• Develop and ensure the implementation of departmental strategies for growth in products, services, and solutions, aligned with the overall organizational strategy.
• Conduct and review SWOT analysis of the cluster/regions/department to identify growth opportunities.
• Support the annual budget and review process.
• Develop strategies to remain competitive in the market.
• Perform tasks that support business and organizational development.

Customer Issue Resolution:

• Follow up and resolve all customer issues, queries, and complaints.
• Inform customers about emerging trends and changes in RBA/IRA/KRA regulations.
• Update clients on new products and prepare reports for review.
• Maintain and update a computerized customer and prospect database weekly.

Staff Performance and Development:

• Appraise and enforce excellent staff performance periodically.
• Develop, issue, and review KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and job descriptions for all staff on time.
• Ensure the implementation of HR policies and procedures at the business unit levels.
• Communicate any potential disciplinary matters with HR and the line manager.
• Identify staff training and development needs, recommending actions such as upskilling to the line manager.
• Manage leave effectively.
• Participate in staff recruitment and training as needed.
• Mentor and coach staff.
• Ensure a workable succession plan is in place for direct reports.

Risk Management:

• Identify, manage, mitigate, control, and report risks to the line manager.
• Adhere to policies and procedures that aid in risk mitigation and control.
• Develop and implement risk management plans.
• Monitor compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Provide training on risk management practices to team members.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement long-term strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Market Analysis: Expertise in conducting market research, competitor analysis, and identifying growth opportunities.
• Customer Relationship Management: Proven ability to maintain and develop strong relationships with clients.
• Sales and Marketing: Strong skills in direct marketing, sales inquiry follow-up, and creating marketing offers.
• Leadership and Team Development: Effective in appraising staff performance, identifying training needs, and mentoring team members.
• Risk Management: Competent in identifying, mitigating, and controlling business risks.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage clients and internal stakeholders.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Degree in business-related field or professional qualification in Marketing, Sales, Public Relations, or related areas.
• Diploma in Insurance or Pensions is an added advantage.
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience in business development, marketing, or sales.
• Proven success in strategic business development and profitability.
• Deep understanding of pension and insurance industry.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and MS Word.
• Familiarity with retirement benefits solutions or investment accounting.
• Strong in market research, customer relationship management, and product development.
• Expertise in strategic planning and SWOT analysis.
• Experience in risk management and compliance.
• Leadership in staff appraisal, training, and development.
• Excellent presentation, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-driven, results-oriented, and quality-focused.
• Mature and credible with senior executive engagement capability.
• Reliable, determined, and empathetic communicator.
• Track record of high performance and team leadership.
• Numerical acumen and strategic thinking prowess.