Business Development Specialist - Funeral Services

About the role

Sabenza IT & Recruitment is recruiting a commercially driven Business Development Specialist to drive the growth and expansion of its Funeral Services department in Pretoria. The role sits at the heart of identifying new markets, evaluating acquisitions, expanding the branch footprint, developing crematorium opportunities, generating leads and securing high-value contracts, working closely with Finance, Legal, Compliance, Operations and senior stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Acquisitions and strategic growth: assess and support funeral homes, land and cremation facility acquisitions, run feasibility studies, build business cases and financial models, and coordinate due diligence with Finance, Legal, Compliance and Operations.
• Branch and land expansion: identify locations, assess market potential and viability, support branch-opening projects and monitor timelines, budgets and risks.
• Crematorium development: evaluate feasibility, market demand and ROI, and work with stakeholders to meet regulatory and governance requirements.
• Lead generation: build a sustainable pipeline, qualify and convert high-value opportunities, and develop relationships with decision-makers.
• Contract business development: secure contracts with corporates, government entities, municipalities, industrial organisations, unions, institutional and community clients, and prepare proposals, tenders and pitches.
• Stakeholder management: negotiate, present to senior management and investors, and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Performance, risk and governance: analyse ROI, profitability and payback periods, monitor performance against objectives, manage commercial and regulatory risks and report regularly to management.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Property Studies or a related field.
• 5-8 years' experience in business development, acquisitions, strategic expansion, property development or a related field.
• Proven experience in land acquisition and expansion projects, and in contract business development with corporates, government, unions or institutional clients.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel as required.

Required skills

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including ROI, profitability calculations and financial modelling.
• Experience conducting market research and feasibility studies.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills, and proven experience developing business cases and investment proposals.
• Project coordination, negotiation and stakeholder engagement.