Head of Business Development/JHB/Package R800-R1.5m plus bonus

We are seeking an experienced and highly connected Head of Business Development & Partnerships to lead fundraising, strategic partnerships, and commercial growth for a leading non-profit organisation focused on digital skills development and youth employment.

This executive role is responsible for securing sustainable funding, developing high-value partnerships, and identifying commercial opportunities that enable the organisation to expand its impact across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The successful candidate will have an established network within the corporate, government, donor, and development sectors, with a proven track record of securing significant funding and building long-term strategic partnerships.

Strategic Business Development & Fundraising

• Develop and execute the organisation's business development and fundraising strategy.
• Secure funding from corporates, CSI programmes, government, foundations, international donors, and development agencies.
• Build and manage a diversified funding pipeline, including multi-year grants and commercial partnerships.
• Lead fundraising initiatives to secure operational and programme funding.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with corporate leaders, government departments, SETAs, industry bodies, international donors, and ecosystem partners.
• Negotiate and conclude partnership agreements, grant contracts, and commercial service agreements.
• Represent the organisation at industry events, conferences, and stakeholder forums.

Commercial Growth

• Identify and develop commercial revenue opportunities aligned to the organisation's skills development offering.
• Design innovative workforce development and talent pipeline solutions for corporate clients.
• Grow sustainable B2B partnerships that complement traditional donor funding.

Regional Growth

• Identify opportunities to expand programmes across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Build relationships with regional partners, funders, and ecosystem stakeholders to support expansion into new markets.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to develop funding proposals, programme budgets, impact reports, and partnership strategies.
• Monitor fundraising performance, maintain an active pipeline, and provide regular reporting and market insights to the executive team.

• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in business development, fundraising, strategic partnerships, or commercial growth.
• At least 5 years' leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success securing multi-million Rand funding, grants, or commercial partnerships.
• Strong understanding of the South African skills development landscape, including B-BBEE, CSI, SETAs, youth employment initiatives, and workforce development.
• Established network of corporate executives, CSI leaders, transformation executives, government stakeholders, and international donors.
• Experience managing complex, multi-year partnerships and funding agreements.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Development Studies, or a related field (postgraduate qualification advantageous).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience using CRM systems to manage business development pipelines.

What Success Looks Like

• Growth in corporate, donor, and commercial partnerships.
• Increased and diversified funding across local and international sources.
• Strong partner retention and long-term strategic relationships.
• Successful expansion into new regional markets.
• Sustainable commercial revenue streams that strengthen organisational impact.

R800 - R1.5m pa (depending on experience) plus bonus

To apply, please send your CV to: ***email_hidden***

If you do not hear back from us within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.