Business Development (BD) Manager: Johannesburg

Khulisa Management Services provides monitoring & evaluation, impact investment analysis & reporting, research, learning and data quality assurance services for governments, donors, the private sector and foundations across the globe. Our assignments have resulted in policy change, new program design, and increased capacity to make data driven decisions. We pride ourselves on our team’s diversity, experience and extensive skills. Khulisa has corporate offices in Johannesburg and the US, with project offices in Zambia and Eswatini.

Purpose of position:

Khulisa’s BD Manager is responsible for the ownership of the business development process.  The process ranges from identifying new opportunities in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) bids across multiple sectors and clients to managing bids and submissions and winning work to grow the business.  The focus is on co-leading Khulisa’s bidding strategy design and execution, leading the coordination of proposal teams and BD activities, while ensuring that quality proposals are delivered on time.   Producing winning proposals is an essential component of the position.

Main functions and long-term expectations:

• Lead strategic planning, management and execution of business development (BD) efforts in an international development consulting environment.  The ultimate goal is to produce winning proposals.  
• Identify, track, and strategize around new business opportunities.  Monitor donor, government and client websites and publications on a regular basis, analyze and share Request for Proposals (RFP) and other bid documents.  Develop a thorough knowledge of anticipated initiatives and win themes.
• Lead and manage bid teams to produce quality, client-centric, and appropriately costed bid responses.  Ensuring submission comply with client (i.e. U.S., U.K., African Government, multi-lateral donors, Foundations and private sector) requirements.
• Guide, coordinate, and streamline complex multi-team BD processes by guiding Technical, Finance, and BD teams on respective inputs while performing overall quality assurance.
• Develop and manage partner and client relationships via strategic business-to-business communications.
• Routinely update, analyze, and report on corporate BD metrics/analytics.
• Oversee BD Associate(s) on a day-to-day basis, including performance assessments, staff mentoring and team motivation.
• This position entails cross divisional working and some travel.

Key Qualifications, Competencies and Experience required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, social sciences or related fields (MBA or other Master’s degree highly advantageous).
• 5 -10 years’ professional experience specific to proposal management and/or business development – preferably in B2B professional services industry and/or international development.
• Some experience related to social sciences research or Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) highly advantageous.
• Familiarity with bilateral and/or multi-lateral donor agency applications and policies/procedures highly advantageous (particularly U.S. Government agencies, such as USAID, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Defense, and/or U.N. agencies and Foundations).
• Demonstrated experience related to leading and coordinating complex multi-team efforts in business development, including performing strategic business-to-business communications.
• Ability to write concisely and persuasively.  Strong editing and formatting skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strategic thinking.
• Advanced computer skills – MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, project management and other miscellaneous software)
• Excellent written and spoken proficiency in English required.  Knowledge of a second language an advantage.