Business Development & Solutions Executive

SUMMARY:
Are you an experienced technology business development professional with strong technical capabilities and hands-on expertise in AI-assisted development?

POSITION INFO:
We are recruiting for a specialist technology consulting business seeking a commercially driven, technically advanced Business Development & Solutions Executive to lead new-business development, technical pre-sales and competitive bid management. This is not a traditional sales role. You''''ll combine strategic prospecting and relationship building with technical discovery, rapid AI-assisted prototyping and the development of compelling proposals that help prospective clients see the value of technology solutions. The successful candidate will be comfortable engaging with senior decision-makers, understanding complex business challenges, translating requirements into practical solutions and building interactive prototypes that bring ideas to life. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can bridge the gap between technology and commercial strategy while taking ownership of the new-business pipeline from initial outreach through to proposal and pursuit. Key Responsibilities Business Development & Pipeline Generation Identify and research prospective clients, target markets and new-business opportunities. Develop personalised outbound campaigns using email, LinkedIn and other relevant channels. Build relationships with prospective clients and decision-makers. Establish a consistent pipeline of qualified opportunities and manage follow-ups through to the next stage. Discovery & Opportunity Qualification Lead discovery conversations to understand client challenges, business objectives and technical requirements. Assess commercial viability and qualify opportunities independently. Translate complex business needs into clear, compelling technology solutions and value propositions. AI-Assisted Prototyping & Technical Pre-Sales Use advanced AI-assisted development tools, such as Claude, Cursor, v0 or equivalent platforms, to build interactive prototypes rapidly. Turn client requirements and early-stage ideas into tangible demonstrations within days. Demonstrate solutions to prospective clients and communicate their business value effectively. Collaborate with technical delivery teams on more complex proof-of-concepts and technical evaluations. Bid & Proposal Management Own competitive RFP and RFI responses from initial planning through to submission and presentation. Coordinate internal stakeholders and manage bid timelines, working sessions and deliverables. Develop persuasive proposals, commercial models and solution narratives. Prepare and lead demonstrations and presentation rehearsals to support competitive pursuits. Conference-Led Business Development Research target attendees and arrange meetings ahead of relevant industry conferences. Build relationships with prospective clients at events and manage prompt, structured follow-ups. Convert event engagement into qualified opportunities and measurable pipeline. CRM & Performance Management Maintain accurate CRM records covering leads, follow-ups, opportunities and pipeline progression. Monitor pipeline health, report on performance and identify opportunities to improve conversion. Establish disciplined, repeatable processes for outbound prospecting and opportunity management. Minimum Requirements Approximately 6-9 years'''' experience in technology business development, technology sales, technical pre-sales, bid management or consulting with substantial commercial exposure. A proven track record of generating new-business opportunities through outbound prospecting and other proactive channels. Demonstrable experience leading or materially contributing to competitive RFP\/RFI responses and complex proposals. Advanced, hands-on capability with AI-assisted development and prototyping tools , with the ability to build functional prototypes independently. The ability to understand technical concepts, engage credibly with technical stakeholders and translate business problems into viable solution concepts. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in proposal writing, presentations and client engagement. Strong commercial judgement and the ability to qualify opportunities and prioritise high-value pursuits. Excellent organisation, follow-through and CRM discipline. The confidence and independence to manage opportunities, coordinate internal teams and take ownership of deadlines. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their practical prototyping capabilities as part of the interview process. Advantageous Experience Exposure to capital markets, structured finance, commercial real estate or financial services technology. Experience within a technology consultancy or software development business. Experience developing client-facing demonstrations, proof-of-concepts or technical solutions during the sales process. Experience generating business through industry conferences and events. What Success Looks Like You''''ll build a repeatable outbound business development process, generate a consistent flow of qualified opportunities, lead effective discovery conversations and manage competitive bids with confidence. You''''ll also use working prototypes to help prospective clients understand proposed solutions and support stronger commercial outcomes, while maintaining accurate pipeline reporting and disciplined follow-through. Location & Compensation Location: Fully remote within Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa. Salary: Up to R1.2 million base salary + performance-based commission. Employment: Full-time. Travel: International travel is required several times a year, including client visits, with travel weighted towards the US. Interview process: Includes an assessment of practical AI-assisted prototyping capability.