Business Development Consultant | Durban | Permanent

Turn relationships, prospecting and commercial opportunities into sustainable new business. This is an opportunity for a driven B2B sales professional to build a strong client portfolio while delivering outsourced service solutions to organisations across KwaZulu-Natal.

The Business Development Consultant will be responsible for identifying, developing and securing new commercial opportunities for a leading outsourced services provider. The role covers the full business development cycle, from market research, prospecting and stakeholder engagement through to needs analysis, proposals, negotiations, contract award and handover.

You will engage with decision-makers across a range of industries, understand their operational, hygiene, quality and cost requirements, and translate these needs into commercially viable service solutions. Success will depend on consistent pipeline generation, strong relationship management, disciplined sales execution and the ability to convert opportunities into long-term contracts.

The successful candidate will join an established outsourced services business with a broad client base across commercial, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, education, retail and other sectors. The environment is commercially focused and performance-driven, requiring someone who is resilient, proactive and comfortable owning a sales target from prospecting through to close.

What You'll Do

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across Durban and the broader KwaZulu-Natal market.

• Build and maintain a healthy sales pipeline through cold calling, networking, referrals, client visits and targeted prospecting.

• Identify key decision-makers and develop relationships with prospective clients.

• Secure new contracts and consistently achieve agreed sales targets.

• Research market trends, sectors and prospective organisations to identify new commercial opportunities.

• Conduct client meetings, site visits and needs assessments.

• Understand prospective clients' operational, hygiene, service and cost requirements.

• Develop and present tailored outsourced service solutions.

• Identify opportunities to upsell and cross-sell additional services.

• Identify relevant tenders and RFQ opportunities.

• Coordinate with internal operational and commercial teams to develop accurate proposals and quotations.

• Prepare presentations, proposals and tender submissions.

• Participate in client presentations, tender briefings and commercial negotiations.

• Manage opportunities through the complete sales cycle from prospecting to contract award and handover.

• Maintain accurate CRM and pipeline information.

• Track sales activity, forecasts, conversion rates and opportunity progress.

• Monitor competitor activity, pricing and market developments.

• Work with Operations, Finance and Commercial teams to support effective contract mobilisation.

• Ensure client expectations and requirements are clearly communicated to operational stakeholders.

What You Bring

• Matric / Grade 12 is essential.

• A Diploma or Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business Management or a related field is advantageous.

• 3–5 years' proven experience in business development or new business sales.

• A demonstrable track record of achieving or exceeding sales targets.

• Proven experience selling B2B services, contracts or outsourced solutions.

• Experience managing the full sales cycle from prospecting through to closing and handover.

• Strong experience engaging corporate clients and senior decision-makers.

• Experience in contract cleaning, facilities management, hospitality, healthcare, industrial, retail, FMCG, property or another outsourced services environment is highly advantageous.

• Tender, RFQ and commercial proposal experience is advantageous.

• Strong prospecting, networking, negotiation and closing skills.

• Excellent communication and presentation ability.

• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.

• Excellent relationship-building and client engagement skills.

• Strong planning, organisation and time management.

• Resilience and persistence in a target-driven environment.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams.

• A valid driver's license.

• Own reliable vehicle.

What Success Looks Like

• New business revenue consistently meets or exceeds agreed targets.

• A healthy and well-qualified sales pipeline is maintained.

• New client acquisition targets are achieved.

• Prospects are effectively converted into profitable contracts.

• Tender and RFQ opportunities are identified and pursued strategically.

• Proposals are commercially sound, accurate and aligned with client requirements.

• Strong relationships are established with decision-makers and key influencers.

• CRM records, forecasts and sales reporting remain accurate and up to date.

• New contracts are handed over effectively to operational teams.

• Existing relationships generate opportunities for retention, upselling and cross-selling.

• Market intelligence is actively used to identify new sectors and commercial opportunities.