Business Development Officer - HR Consulting

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.

Application Closing Date
15th October, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to:  using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Note

• Candidates with demonstrable experience in HR consulting business development, corporate client acquisition, and B2B professional services sales will be given strong consideration.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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