
Business Development Manager
Liyema Consulting
Nairobi, Kenya
Liyema Consulting Group, a leading South Africa–based HR and workforce solutions firm, is expanding into Kenya and seeking a dynamic Business Development Manager to lead market entry and growth. This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial sales professional to build a market from the ground up, act as the face of the company, and drive revenue across payroll outsourcing, contractor management, and HR consulting services. The ideal candidate brings strong business development experience, thrives in a startup-style environment, and is motivated by performance-based rewards and long-term growth. If you are a relationship-driven professional excited about building something new and making a meaningful impact, we would love to hear from you.
Job Description
The Client
Liyema Consulting Group is a South Africa–based HR and workforce solutions firm specializing in payroll outsourcing, contractor management, staffing, and HR consulting services. As part of our strategic expansion into Kenya, we are seeking a highly entrepreneurial and commercially driven Business Development Manager to establish and grow our presence in the Kenyan market.
This is an exciting opportunity to build a market from the ground up, develop strategic client relationships, and drive revenue growth across a range of workforce and HR solutions.
The Role
The Business Development Manager will be responsible for launching and growing Liyema Consulting’s Kenya business. This role requires a hands-on sales professional who can identify opportunities, develop relationships, close deals, and support client onboarding to generate sustainable revenue growth. The successful candidate will also act as the face of Liyema Consulting in Kenya, building brand awareness, representing the company in the market, and establishing credibility with key stakeholders.
This is not a traditional call-center or lead-generation role; we are looking for a strategic partner who can navigate the complexities of HR services, manage the full sales lifecycle—from initial "song and dance" to onboarding—and thrive in a revenue-based incentive environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Business Development & Sales
Develop and execute a go-to-market strategy for Liyema Consulting in Kenya.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities across key sectors.
Build and manage a strong pipeline of qualified prospects.
Conduct client meetings, presentations, and solution proposals.
Sell a range of services including payroll outsourcing, contractor management, and HR consulting.
Close deals and drive revenue growth in the Kenyan market.
2. Brand & Market Representation
Act as the face of Liyema Consulting in Kenya.
Build brand awareness and credibility in the Kenyan market.
Represent the company at industry events, networking forums, and client meetings.
Develop strategic partnerships and referral networks.
Position Liyema Consulting as a trusted workforce solutions provider.
Provide market insights to support brand positioning and service offerings.
3. Client Relationship Engineering
Build and maintain long-term client relationships.
Understand client workforce challenges and propose tailored solutions.
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients during the sales cycle.
Work closely with leadership to structure pricing and commercial proposals.
4. Market Development
Develop market awareness and positioning for Liyema Consulting in Kenya.
Build partnerships and referral networks.
Provide market intelligence and competitive insights.
Identify new service opportunities aligned with client needs.
5. Sales Process & Execution
Manage the full sales lifecycle from lead generation to onboarding.
Negotiate commercial terms and close contracts.
Track sales performance and pipeline activity.
Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure successful service delivery.
Skills & Experience
Education: A Bachelor's degree in Business, HR, Marketing, or related field.
Senior Sales Background: 5+ years of high-level in successful business development, specifically within professional services or HR/Workforce solutions.
Market Entry Specialist: Proven track record of launching new business units or expanding into the Kenyan corporate market.
Industry Expertise: Direct experience in payroll outsourcing, contractor management, or complex HR consulting.
Revenue Generation: A documented history of taking a service line from zero or low revenue to sustainable growth.
Lifecycle Management: Experience managing the complete "song and dance"—from high-level networking and dinners to technical onboarding and invoicing.
Commercial Intelligence: A strong grasp of gross profit, P&L transparency, the business cycle of HR outsourcing and the ability to navigate complex payment terms.
Sophisticated Navigator: Ability to sell varied service offerings (SaaS vs. Retainers vs. Managed Services) rather than a "one-size-fits-all" product.
Entrepreneurial Grit: A self-starter attitude comfortable with a revenue-based compensation model and working independently to build a pipeline.
Strategic Communication: Excellent presentation and negotiation skills required to be the "face of the brand" in Nairobi.
Local Market Intel: Deep familiarity with the Kenyan business landscape and its specific regulatory or cultural nuances.
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