Potchefstroom, South Africa | Posted on 12/29/2024This role requires a balance of technical expertise, business development skills, client relationship management, and the ability to thrive in a flexible, fast-paced environment.
The BDM will not only foster new business but also manage key aspects of the project lifecycle, ensuring a successful and smooth transition from proposal to project initiation.BDM Key Responsibilities and Expectations:Client Relationship Management and Field EngagementClient Meetings: Act as the primary point of contact for clients, meeting with them directly in the field to gain a deep understanding of their needs and challenges.Tailored Solutions: Develop and deliver customized solutions based on the client's requirements, ensuring that the company's and NWU's services are aligned with their business objectives.Client-Centric Approach: Build strong, lasting relationships with both existing and potential clients, fostering trust and ensuring satisfaction.Dynamic Work Environment AdaptabilityFlexibility: Adapt to changing schedules and work in a variety of environments, from irregular hours to varying client needs.Travel: Willingness to travel extensively to client locations, sometimes at short notice, to provide on-site support and strengthen business ties.Commitment: Show reliability in meeting client needs regardless of time and location, reinforcing a commitment to customer satisfaction.Business Development and Proposal ManagementNetworking: Build and maintain a network of potential, current, and past customers, identifying new opportunities for research and consulting services.Proposal and Tender Preparation: Lead the preparation of proposals and tenders, collaborating with researchers and experts for technical input, and ensuring comprehensive budgeting and due diligence.Pricing and Negotiation: Propose and negotiate project pricing, ensuring alignment with client expectations and the company's financial objectives.Project Team Formation: Collaborate with the Platform Manager and Project Manager to assemble the appropriate project team, ensuring the right mix of skills for each client's needs.Deal Closure: Drive the project from initiation to successful handover, ensuring the signed contract, approved proposal, budget, and project team are all aligned before the project moves forward.Technical and Business AcumenExpertise: Leverage your technical background to provide innovative solutions that meet client needs while aligning with broader business goals.Strategic Alignment: Ensure that all technical decisions are commercially viable and contribute to the company's strategic objectives.Communication and Stakeholder EngagementInterpersonal Skills: Demonstrate strong communication skills to interact effectively with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams, ensuring clear understanding of both technical and business aspects of the projects.Translation of Technical Concepts: Translate complex technical concepts into actionable business strategies that resonate with clients.RequirementsMore than 5 years experience in finding customers and developing proposalsDrivers licensePassportOwn vehicleDesirable Experience and QualificationsNQF 7-10 university qualificationExperience in university directed research projectsExperience in proposal development in commercial, government and industry contextsExperience in building networks among decision makers in government, commerce and industryExperience with funding sources such as government agencies, local and international, NGOs etc.Self-motivated, team player, customer focusSkillsNetworkingCommunication skills - customers, management and stakeholdersComputer literacy - MS Office and ZOHOMarket related, total cost to company package based on experience and grade.
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