Business Development Director Full Time NEW

About the company:

Grant Thornton Ethiopia is part of the global Grant Thornton network, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent assurance, tax, and advisory firms. We are committed to helping dynamic organizations unlock their potential for growth by providing tailored, forward-thinking solutions.

Role Purpose

The Business Development Director will lead strategic growth initiatives across key sectors in Ethiopia, including financial services, public sector institutions, and development partner organizations.

The role is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and driving sustainable revenue growth. The successful candidate will play a central role in positioning the firm as a trusted advisor to a broad range of institutional and development-focused clients.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Development

• Develop and implement sector-focused business development strategies across:
  • Financial services (banks, insurance companies, microfinance institutions, and regulators)
  • Public sector institutions
  • Development partners (multilateral and bilateral donors, DFIs, and international NGOs)
• Identify emerging market opportunities and support the firm’s strategic expansion priorities

Client Engagement & Relationship Development

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across target sectors
• Engage decision-makers in both public and private institutions to understand needs and position relevant solutions
• Support long-term partnership development with institutional clients and development partners
• Strengthen the firm’s visibility and credibility within key industry ecosystems

Revenue Growth & Pipeline Management

• Build and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities across priority sectors
• Drive conversion of opportunities into high-quality client engagements
• Support pricing strategy, commercial structuring, and contract negotiations
• Monitor market trends to inform pipeline development and targeting strategies

Proposal & Tender Leadership

• Lead or coordinate the preparation of high-quality proposals for public sector and donor-funded opportunities
• Ensure compliance with procurement requirements of government and development organizations
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop competitive and client-focused solutions

Market Representation & Thought Leadership

• Represent the firm in industry forums, policy dialogues, and professional networks
• Contribute to strengthening the firm’s brand visibility in financial services and development ecosystems
• Support development of insights and thought leadership relevant to target sectors

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Public Policy, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 12–15+ years of experience in business development, client relationship management, consulting, banking, or development advisory roles
• Demonstrated experience working with one or more of the following sectors:
  • Financial services institutions
  • Public sector or government-related organizations
  • Development partners or donor-funded programs
• Strong track record of engaging senior-level stakeholders and building strategic client relationships
• Experience in proposal development, tender processes, or complex bid environments is highly desirable

Key Competencies

• Strong commercial and strategic thinking
• Ability to build and sustain senior-level institutional relationships
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Strong understanding of complex stakeholder environments
• Proven ability to develop and convert business opportunities into revenue
• High level of professionalism and integrity

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Growth in revenue across financial services, public sector, and development portfolios
• Pipeline development and conversion rates
• Number and quality of strategic institutional engagements secured
• Success rate in competitive bids and proposals
• Expansion of long-term client and partner relationships

Why Join Grant Thornton Ethiopia?

• Opportunity to contribute to impactful projects across Ethiopia’s key economic and development sectors
• Work with a diverse range of institutional clients, including financial institutions and development partners
• Be part of a globally connected professional services network
• Strong leadership exposure and career growth opportunities
• Competitive and executive-level compensation package

Additional Note

This role is designed for a senior professional who can contribute to strategic business growth through relationship development, market insight, and client engagement excellence, within a collaborative and performance-driven environment.