Business Development Hr Consulting
full-time
Job Summary / Overview
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Business Development professional with strong experience in HR consulting to drive client acquisition, revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and market expansion.
The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying and converting new business opportunities, developing relationships with corporate clients and decision-makers, managing the sales pipeline, preparing proposals, negotiating commercial engagements, and expanding existing client accounts.
The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of HR consulting and human capital services and be able to effectively identify client workforce needs and position appropriate HR solutions.
Experience selling HR consulting, recruitment, outsourcing, training, talent management, payroll, or other human capital solutions will be strongly preferred.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Client Acquisition:
Develop and execute business development strategies focused on acquiring new clients and generating sustainable revenue.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities across corporate organizations, SMEs, institutions, and other target markets.
Generate qualified leads through networking, referrals, market research, cold outreach, industry events, professional networks, digital channels, and strategic partnerships.
Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective corporate clients and decision-makers.
Conduct structured prospecting activities and consistently follow up on qualified opportunities.
Convert qualified leads into paying clients through effective presentations, proposals, negotiations, and closing strategies.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with prospective and existing clients.
Identify opportunities for account expansion, cross-selling, and upselling of HR consulting and related professional services.
HR Consulting Business Development:
Develop a strong understanding of the organization's HR consulting and human capital service offerings.
Identify organizations with workforce, talent, recruitment, HR transformation, employee management, training, outsourcing, or related needs.
Engage HR Directors, CHROs, CEOs, Managing Directors, founders, business owners, and other senior decision-makers.
Understand client HR challenges and position appropriate consulting solutions.
Develop client-specific proposals and commercial solutions based on identified HR and business needs.
Identify opportunities for recruitment, HR outsourcing, payroll, training and development, talent management, organizational development, performance management, and other HR-related services.
Monitor organizations and industries for emerging HR and workforce challenges that may create consulting opportunities.
Develop long-term relationships with corporate HR departments and senior management teams.
Support the organization in building a strong and sustainable HR consulting client portfolio.
Sales Pipeline & Revenue Management:
Manage the complete business development cycle from lead generation and prospecting through proposal, negotiation, conversion, onboarding, and account development.
Maintain an accurate and up-to-date sales pipeline.
Track leads, prospects, meetings, proposals, negotiations, conversions, revenue opportunities, and client activities.
Monitor sales performance against agreed monthly, quarterly, and annual targets.
Develop strategies to improve lead-to-client conversion rates.
Follow up consistently on outstanding proposals, quotations, contracts, and business opportunities.
Identify stalled opportunities and develop appropriate strategies to move them toward conversion.
Prepare weekly and monthly business development reports for management.
Client Relationship Management:
Build trusted relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
Conduct client meetings, discovery sessions, presentations, business reviews, and solution discussions.
Act as a professional point of contact during the business development and client acquisition process.
Understand client requirements and communicate the organization's value proposition effectively.
Maintain regular engagement with existing clients to identify additional business opportunities.
Support client onboarding and ensure smooth handover of newly acquired accounts to the relevant internal teams.
Monitor client satisfaction and identify opportunities for retention and account growth.
Maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism when handling client and business information.
Proposals, Presentations & Commercial Negotiations:
Prepare compelling business proposals, quotations, presentations, capability statements, and other client-facing documents.
Develop customized proposals based on client requirements and identified business challenges.
Deliver professional presentations and business pitches to prospective clients.
Participate in commercial negotiations and support contract discussions.
Ensure proposals clearly communicate the organization's expertise, value proposition, service benefits, and commercial terms.
Work closely with HR, operations, finance, management, and other internal teams to develop appropriate client solutions.
Ensure accurate and timely submission of proposals and commercial documentation.
Market Development & Strategic Partnerships:
Conduct market research to identify new sectors, industries, organizations, and potential client segments.
Monitor competitor activities, market trends, HR industry developments, and emerging client needs.
Identify new markets and business models that can support revenue growth.
Develop strategic partnerships with organizations, professional bodies, institutions, technology providers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Identify referral and channel partnership opportunities that can generate qualified leads.
Represent the organization at business events, conferences, networking sessions, HR forums, industry events, and professional engagements.
Build a strong network of corporate contacts and strategic business relationships.
Internal Collaboration:
Work closely with management to develop and execute commercial growth strategies.
Collaborate with HR consulting teams to understand service capabilities and develop appropriate client solutions.
Work with marketing teams to support lead-generation campaigns and business development initiatives.
Collaborate with finance and operations on proposals, pricing, contracts, invoicing, and client onboarding.
Provide market and client feedback to management to support the development of new or improved services.
Support the organization in identifying opportunities for new HR consulting products and services.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The successful candidate will be assessed against measurable business development objectives, including:
Number of new corporate clients acquired.
Revenue generated from new and existing clients.
Number and quality of qualified leads generated.
Lead-to-client conversion rate.
Sales pipeline value and growth.
Proposal-to-contract conversion rate.
Monthly and quarterly revenue achievement.
Number of client meetings and qualified business opportunities generated.
Growth of corporate and HR consulting client portfolio.
Client retention and account growth.
Cross-selling and upselling performance.
Strategic partnerships developed.
Market expansion and new sectors penetrated.
Overall contribution to business growth and profitability.
Requirements & Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Economics, Management, Finance, or a related discipline.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in business development, sales, relationship management, consulting, or commercial roles.
Strong practical experience in HR consulting, recruitment consulting, human capital services, or related professional services is strongly preferred.
Proven track record of acquiring corporate clients and generating business revenue.
Demonstrated experience selling B2B services, preferably HR consulting or professional services.
Experience managing the full business development cycle from prospecting and lead generation through proposal, negotiation, conversion, and account management.
Strong understanding of corporate HR functions and common workforce challenges.
Ability to engage HR Directors, CHROs, CEOs, Managing Directors, business owners, and other senior decision-makers.
Proven ability to develop and maintain strong corporate relationships and professional networks.
Strong proposal writing, presentation, negotiation, and closing skills.
Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed business development or revenue targets.
Strong commercial awareness and understanding of B2B sales principles.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM or sales management tools.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities.
Candidates should preferably have an established network within the corporate and HR community.
Professional Certification & Membership:
Membership or certification in relevant professional bodies is an added advantage, including:
Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM)
Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)
Relevant sales, business development, consulting, or commercial certifications
Competency Requirements:
Strong business development and client acquisition capabilities.
Excellent B2B sales and relationship management skills.
Strong understanding of HR consulting and human capital services.
Excellent networking and stakeholder management abilities.
Strong commercial awareness and revenue-generation mindset.
Excellent prospecting, persuasion, negotiation, and closing skills.
Ability to identify client needs and position appropriate HR solutions.
Strong presentation and business pitching skills.
Ability to engage confidently with senior executives and corporate decision-makers.
Strong strategic thinking and market development capabilities.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and take ownership of business development activities.
High level of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and confidentiality.
Resilience and ability to operate effectively in a target-driven environment.
Strong customer-focused and results-oriented mindset.
Key Technical & Professional Skills:
Business Development
HR Consulting Sales
B2B Sales
Lead Generation & Prospecting
Corporate Client Acquisition
HR & Human Capital Services
Relationship & Account Management
Strategic Partnerships
Sales Pipeline Management
Proposal & Business Pitch Development
Commercial Negotiation
Client Needs Analysis
Market Research & Business Development
Revenue Growth & Sales Conversion
Cross-Selling & Upselling
CRM & Sales Management Tools
Microsoft Office Suite
Business Reporting & Analytics
Presentation & Stakeholder Management
Preferred Industry Experience:
Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas will be strongly considered:
HR Consulting / Human Capital Services
Recruitment & Executive Search
HR Outsourcing / Managed HR Services
Talent Management
Learning & Development / Corporate Training
Payroll & Workforce Solutions
Management Consulting
Professional Services
Corporate Services
B2B Services
Technology / HR Technology.
What We Offer
Competitive monthly salary commensurate with experience and expertise.
Opportunity to directly contribute to revenue growth and business expansion.
Exposure to senior executives, corporate organizations, and strategic decision-makers.
Opportunity to develop a strong network within the HR and corporate business community.
Opportunity to build and manage strategic partnerships and major client accounts.
Professional exposure to diverse HR consulting and business development projects.
A performance-driven environment with opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.