Head of Business Development

Cape Town, South Africa Posted on 24/11/2025

MasterStart is not EdTech, nor a Business School, we are a Movement. We exist to empower learners and organisations to think, apply, and grow - building skills and capabilities that have a lasting impact. Our portfolio of programmes connects people, knowledge, and opportunities to enable thriving careers and resilient businesses in a fast-changing world.

MasterStart SA, the South African partner of MasterStart, is more than an edtech business, it's a movement redefining how people learn, lead, and succeed. Rooted in human connection, we empower learners to think deeply, apply boldly, and grow continuously through flexible, fully supported online learning experiences that transform careers and shape the future of work.

We are looking for an experienced, strategic, ambitious and highly skilled Head of Business Development to work in a dynamic, fast-paced and fast-growing company. The Head of Business Development will be responsible for leading and driving the company's business development strategies. This includes identifying new business opportunities, building and nurturing client relationships, and achieving revenue growth. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a proven track record in business development, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments.

Culture and values are essential to us, so the successful candidate will need to be passionate about people, experienced, versatile and data driven with a thorough understanding of best practices.

• Strategic Planning and Execution
  • Develop and implement business development strategies aligned with the company's overall goals and operational standards;
  • Identify and evaluate new market opportunities and partnerships; and
  • Create and manage business development plans aligned to company budgets.
• Ensure that sales processes are aligned to business processes
• Analyse sales and business processes;
• Process improvement, standardisation and documentation;
• Technology and tool optimisation;
• Performance monitoring and reporting;
• Change management; and
• Compliance and risk management.
• Client Acquisition and Relationship Management
  • Build and maintain relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders within our corporate sales division;
  • Lead negotiations and close deals with prospective clients; and
  • Ensure client satisfaction and retention.
• Market Research and Analysis
  • Conduct market research to identify trends, competitive landscape, and potential opportunities; and
  • Analyse data to inform strategic decisions and measure the effectiveness of business development activities.
• Team Leadership and Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop the business development team;
  • Set performance targets and conduct regular performance reviews; and
  • Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the team.
• Collaboration and Cross-Functional Work
  • Work closely with the marketing, delivery, and product development teams to ensure alignment and support for business development initiatives; and
  • Collaborate with the finance team to develop pricing strategies and financial models.

• Strong leadership and team management abilities;
• Proven experience in channel sales, business development, and strategic partnerships;
• Excellent negotiation, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills;
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams, including sales operations and client services;
• Proficiency in CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, ZOHO, HubSpot) and data-driven decision-making;
• Work from the office inJohannesburg 2-3 days a week (or as required); and
• Be available to travel outside of Johannesburg.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, or a related field;
• 8+ years of experience in business development and leadership roles, with at least 3 years managing channel sales;
• Experience managing Client Success Managers to enhance operational efficiency and client success.