Business Development Manager (YS - 10222026 - FTBDM)

Position: Business Development Manager

Number of hours: 40 hours per week
Schedule: TBA

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development and Growth

• Develop and execute business development strategies to support company growth and international expansion.

• Identify new markets, business opportunities, target audiences, and potential revenue streams.

• Conduct market research, competitor analysis, and lead generation to support strategic decision-making.

• Develop initiatives that strengthen the company’s market position and global presence.

2. Strategic Partnerships and Relationship Management

• Identify, approach, and establish partnerships with investors, venture capital firms, foundations, universities, NGOs, media organizations, and technology companies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with potential partners, clients, investors, and key stakeholders.

• Lead B2B outreach, partnership discussions, and strategic negotiations.

• Develop customized partnership proposals and presentations aligned with business objectives.

3. Fundraising and Investment Opportunities

• Research and pursue suitable funding, grants, sponsorships, and investment opportunities.

• Identify relevant investors, accelerators, startup programs, and international funding organizations.

• Prepare investment pitches, funding proposals, and supporting business documents.

• Maintain an organized pipeline of funding opportunities and report on engagement and progress.

4. Revenue Generation and Monetization

• Identify and evaluate sustainable revenue-generating opportunities.

• Explore advertising partnerships, commercial collaborations, sponsorship packages, and other monetization strategies.

• Develop business proposals and commercial presentations to attract prospective clients and partners.

• Support the development of scalable business models and long-term commercial relationships.

5. Outreach, Pipeline Management, and Reporting

• Conduct personalized outreach through LinkedIn, email, professional networks, and other relevant channels.

• Maintain accurate records of leads, contacts, communications, meetings, and partnership opportunities using CRM tools.

• Arrange meetings with relevant decision-makers and consistently follow up on potential opportunities.

• Submit weekly business development reports covering outreach activities, meetings, pipeline progress, proposals, challenges, and measurable outcomes.

• Monitor performance against agreed targets and recommend improvements to business development strategies.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Communications, or a related field; equivalent relevant professional experience may also be considered.

• At least 3–5 years of relevant business development experience, preferably in technology, SaaS, digital platforms, media, consumer-facing businesses, or startups.

• Demonstrated experience in partnership development, B2B sales, strategic negotiations, and revenue generation.

• Experience identifying and engaging investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, foundations, or international organizations.

• Strong skills in business proposal writing, pitch development, presentations, market research, and lead generation.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly when engaging international stakeholders.

• Familiarity with CRM systems, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, email outreach tools, and project management platforms.

• Ability to work independently, proactively, and strategically, with strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to prioritize opportunities, maintain a structured pipeline, follow up consistently, and work toward measurable objectives.

• High standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability, initiative, and relationship management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with startups, international markets, digital communities, social platforms, or cultural and educational technology.

• Familiarity with the African startup ecosystem and international fundraising and partnership opportunities.

• Existing professional networks involving investors, business leaders, technology companies, NGOs, foundations, universities, or media organizations.

• Experience developing international partnerships, commercial collaborations, sponsorship proposals, or investment presentations.

• Understanding of digital platform growth, monetization strategies, and cross-cultural engagement.

Performance Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to work toward clearly defined and measurable objectives, including:

• Building and maintaining a qualified pipeline of potential investors and strategic partners.

• Securing meetings with relevant decision-makers and prospective business partners.

• Preparing and submitting tailored partnership, sponsorship, and funding proposals.

• Identifying and validating realistic revenue-generating and monetization opportunities.

• Maintaining consistent outreach and follow-up activities.

• Providing weekly business development reports detailing activities, meetings, pipeline development, opportunities, challenges, and progress toward agreed targets.

Performance will be assessed based on consistent execution, quality of opportunities, meaningful business development progress, and measurable outcomes. Fundraising and partnership success will be evaluated in the context of their timelines and the candidate’s contribution, rather than guaranteed funding alone.

Working Arrangements and Selection Process

• The candidate must be able to dedicate sufficient time and consistent effort to advancing business development objectives.

• Candidates may be asked to participate in an initial trial or evaluation period, with specific deliverables, performance indicators, and expectations agreed upon in advance.

• Applicants should submit the following for consideration:

  • Updated CV or résumé

  • Summary of relevant business development experience and achievements

  • Examples of previous partnership, fundraising, sales, or revenue-generation results, where available

  • Portfolio or relevant work samples.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a strategic, resourceful, and results-oriented Business Development Manager who understands how to grow a digital platform with international ambitions. The ideal candidate combines strong research and communication skills with practical experience in relationship building, partnership development, commercial opportunities, and business growth.

Above all, the candidate must demonstrate initiative, integrity, professionalism, persistence, and a commitment to delivering measurable value while supporting a mission of connecting people and communities across cultures.