Business Development Manager at The Emerging Leaders Foundation Africa

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Strategy Development 

• Identify, develop, and evaluate new business opportunities to meet and exceed ELE targets. 
• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, market demands, and competitor activity, providing strategic insights for business growth. 
• Create and execute a comprehensive business development strategy in alignment with the ELE’s goals and objectives. 
• Collaborate with the Programs and Communications teams to create compelling marketing campaigns and sales materials that resonate with target clients. 
• Negotiate and close business deals, contracts, and agreements, ensuring favourable terms for ELE while fostering long-term relationships with clients. 
• Provide regular reports, forecasts, and analysis to the management team, outlining performance metrics, achievements, and areas for improvement. 
• Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, and technological advancements to ensure the company remains competitive and innovative in its approach. 
• Conduct field visits as and when needed to monitor the implementation of training and other initiatives supported by ELE and provide guidance and technical assistance to partners. 
• Ensure quality and timely implementation of the agreed activities by all partners. 

Coordination of ELE: 

• Serve as the resource person for ELE and provide advisory updates to the ELF-Africa Senior Management Team and the Board. 
• Oversee the budget for ELE activities and ensure that budget expenditures are in accordance with the agreed plans. 
• Assist in the preparation of budgets and revisions related to ELE. 
• Lead, mentor, and motivate the business development team to achieve individual and team targets. 
• Oversight quality and timely management and reporting of activities and the ELE focal point. 

Partnerships building 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with potential clients, understanding their needs and offering tailored solutions to meet their objectives. Maintain close contacts with all partners and investors. 
• When authorized, represent ELE on the platforms relating to entrepreneurship and enterprises. 
• As and when requested, give presentations on different forums to stakeholders on ELE interventions. 

Sales and Marketing 

• Promote and advertise ELE's existing brands and introduce new products to the market. 
• Research and develop marketing opportunities and plans, understand consumer requirements, identify market trends, and suggest system improvements to achieve the ELE’s goals. 
• Implementing new sales plans and advertising. 
• Maintaining relationships with important clients by making regular visits, understanding their needs, and anticipating new marketing opportunities. 

Competencies: 

• Ability to multi-task and respond simultaneously and promptly to job requirements. 
• Ability to work under pressure, beat deadlines, and handle numerous tasks simultaneously. Strong and proven integrity, time management and work prioritization skills 
• Understanding ELE procedures, rules, and regulations is an asset. 
• Capacity to take initiative and work both independently and as part of a team. 
• Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact, and courtesy concerning equality and safeguarding with participants and implementing partners. 
• Ability to set up, equip and oversee a team. 
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral. 
• Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of ELE. 
• A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations, and grassroots organizations. 
• Experience in planning, budgeting, work plan development, participating in program development and proposal writing, project implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and program coordination. 
• Previous work experience in a start-up or setting up an organization is an added advantage. 
• Additional competencies for your consideration: 
• Project Management Skills – proven ability to manage projects from inception to closure, with demonstrable experience in monitoring and evaluation. 
• Strategy Execution – demonstrate ability to lead or be part of the development and implementation of organizational strategic plans.
• Negotiation Skills – ability to negotiate with different entities in relation to business development, contractual agreements, funding, contracts and agreements that are favourable to the organization. 

Education: 

• Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Management, Investment Management, Organizational Development, or related field, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience in the areas of business management, project management and coordination. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in the above-mentioned subjects with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in a well reputable organisation.