Business Development Manager / Partners (Pet) at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• JOIN the George-based team of one of SA’s fastest growing Fintech brands seeking your expertise to fill the role of a Business Development Manager who will be responsible for is responsible for driving sustainable growth through the acquisition, onboarding and development of high-value strategic partners within insurance ecosystem.
• This role owns the full partner lifecycle from opportunity identification and commercial negotiation, through project planning, onboarding and launch, to ongoing performance management and optimisation. The role acts as a key advocate for partner success by ensuring alignment, execution, feedback management and measurable outcomes, while collaborating effectively across internal teams without role duplication.

DUTIES:

Partner Acquisition & Growth

• Identify, qualify and secure strategic pet-related business partners aligned to the group’s growth strategy.
• Develop and execute business development plans to drive partner-led sales growth and market expansion.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing structures and service terms to maximise long-term value and profitability.
• Lead project briefing and oversee partner-related project development and delivery.
• Maintain a structured framework documenting standard offerings, partner-specific agreements and contractual terms.
• Guide partners through onboarding with clear objectives, timelines and success metrics.
• Proactively address risks, resolve issues and maintain project momentum.
• Monitor success metrics and escalate concerns to senior management where required.
• Document best practices, refine partnership strategies and track market trends.

Relationship & Account Management

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with key partner stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary liaison between partners and internal teams to ensure alignment and delivery on agreed objectives.
• Develop a deep understanding of partner needs, challenges and opportunities to deliver value-added solutions.

Partner Onboarding & Execution

• Own the end-to-end onboarding process, ensuring seamless integration into systems, processes and operating model.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (operations, sales, marketing, projects, compliance and finance) to ensure successful launches.
• Ensure partners are fully enabled, trained and supported to perform effectively from day one and beyond.

Performance & Commercial Management

• Monitor, analyse and report on partner performance against agreed KPIs, SLAs and commercial targets.
• Manage financial forecasting, budget projections and revenue tracking for partner portfolios.
• Identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions to optimise outcomes.
• Oversee ongoing partner engagement, queries, training and post-onboarding support.

Market & Industry Engagement

• Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activity and regulatory developments within the pet and insurance sectors.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences and networking opportunities to strengthen brand presence and partnerships.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or a related field (preferred but not essential).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in business development, partnerships or account management within insurance, financial services or a related industry.
• Proven track record as a dealmaker, successfully acquiring, implementing and launching commercial partnerships.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in contract negotiation and financial analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Highly organised with strong project management capability and attention to detail.
• Strong relationship-building, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate needs and manage risks effectively.
• Passion for client service delivery and partnership excellence.
• Computer literate with strong reporting and presentation skills.
• Own reliable vehicle and valid driver’s licence.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively across all provinces.
• Animal lover, a genuine passion for pets is essential.