Business Development Manager - South Africa at Medical Protection Society

• We’re looking for a commercially driven Business Development Manager to lead and deliver the South African commercial plan. This is a senior role with full accountability for income growth, member retention, and new business delivery across defined segments and channels.
• Working closely with the Head of International, you will translate strategic direction into executable market plans, lead a high-performing Business Development Executive team, and ensure commercial activity converts into realised income. You’ll play a critical role in shaping market delivery, strengthening partner relationships, and aligning cross‑functional teams to achieve sustainable growth.

As our new Business Development Manager, you will also:

• Lead delivery of the South African commercial strategy, translating international priorities into clear, executable market plans that drive income, growth and retention.
• Own financial performance for South Africa, delivering income, member growth and retention targets while managing cost of sales and financial risk against plan.
• Lead and manage the Business Development Executive team, setting clear performance expectations, managing pipeline and conversion, and building a high‑performance commercial culture.
• Drive segment and channel performance, ensuring effective activity management, partner engagement and conversion across direct and partner channels.
• Manage key partner, scheme and institutional relationships, ensuring alignment to commercial objectives and delivery of measurable outcomes.
• Work cross‑functionally with Operations, Underwriting, Member Services and Marketing to remove blockers, optimise delivery and ensure commercial activity converts into realised income.
• Provide data‑led market, member and performance insight, monitoring competitor activity, member feedback and performance drivers to inform decision‑making and optimise results.

We are looking for:

• Experience leading sales or business development teams with full performance accountability. 
• Proven commercial experience within financial services, insurance or healthcare. 
• Track record of delivering new business, income growth, retention and commercial targets. 
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across internal and external partners. 
• High level of commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data and translate insight into action. 
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills. 
• Experience working in complex, cross‑functional, multi‑stakeholder environments.