Head Business Development

Palesa Mbali Group

  • Sandton, Johannesburg
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
Job SummaryJob PurposeThe Head of Business Development plays a strategic leadership role in driving business
growth through product innovation, opportunity assessment, strategic enablement, and
commercialization across Life and Non-Life insurance segments. The incumbent will
manage a portfolio of development initiatives, lead innovation through research and
insights, and build strategic partnerships that enhance the organisation's market presence
and client value proposition.Key Responsibilities
Strategic Growth & Innovation
  • Lead cross-functional collaboration to manage the end-to-end product
development lifecycle.
  • Identify and assess new business opportunities through market research,
competitor analysis, and innovation frameworks.
  • Drive the commercialization of products and expansion into new channels and
market segments.
  • Lead the ideation and implementation of solutions through the Innovation Hub,
ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
Portfolio & Initiative Management
  • Deliver on the Business Development team's strategic Book of Work aligned to a 3-
year roadmap and stakeholder requirements.
  • Monitor and support pilot projects to evaluate success metrics and scalability.
  • Communicate initiative outcomes in internal forums to enable informed decision-
making and operational execution.
Stakeholder Engagement & Enablement
  • Build and sustain effective relationships with internal departments (e.g. Product,
Distribution, Enablement, Marketing) and key external partners.
  • Collaborate with Product Portfolio Managers and the Marketing Team to conduct
research and benchmark offerings across the portfolio.
  • Actively participate in product and execution forums to manage product and
development pipelines.
Business Case Development & Risk Integration
  • Develop business cases with clear insights, market analysis, financial modeling,
and execution plans.
  • Incorporate risk, governance, and compliance requirements into all business
development initiatives.
  • Recommend and lead process improvements that support scalability and enhance
delivery impact.
Leadership & Talent Development
  • Lead, mentor, and support a team of Business Development Managers to ensure
strategic alignment and performance.
  • Foster a culture of learning, innovation, and execution excellence within the team.
  • Support personal and professional growth through targeted development initiatives
and succession planning.
Qualifications & Experience
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Matric / National Senior Certificate (Essential)
  • Master's Degree in Business Administration, Insurance, Strategy, or related field
(Preferred)
Experience:
  • Minimum of 8 years' experience in business development, opportunity
management, research, and project management within the Financial Services or
Insurance industry.
  • Proven experience in leading multifunctional teams, launching new
products/services, and developing strategic partnerships.Knowledge & Skills
  • Strong understanding of:
o Business principles and financial acumen
o Strategic communication and stakeholder engagement
o Governance, Risk, and Compliance frameworks
o Product development, innovation, and commercialization
o Research and market insight methodologies
o Project and portfolio management practices
o Operational systems and business process optimizationBehavioural Competencies
  • Innovation - Champions and drives creative thinking and new market solutions
  • Strategic Decision Making - Assesses opportunity and risk to guide direction
  • Planning and Organising - Manages complex workstreams with structure and
discipline
  • Building Partnerships - Creates value through strong collaboration and influence
  • Continuous Learning - Promotes professional development and curiosity
  • Technical/Professional Expertise - Applies deep industry knowledge with strategic
intPalesa Mbali GroupRecruiter

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