Business Development Manager at Ikogwe International Limited

Position Summary

• The Business Development Manager will lead the development and implementation of business growth strategies, identify new commercial opportunities, establish institutional relationships, increase student recruitment, generate qualified leads, and improve client conversion rates.
• The role requires a strategic thinker, confident negotiator, and results-oriented professional capable of translating opportunities into sustainable revenue.
• The successful candidate will work closely with the Operations Manager to ensure that business opportunities are effectively converted into paying clients and successfully delivered services.

Key Responsibilities

Growth and Revenue Generation

• Develop and implement comprehensive business development and marketing strategies.
• Identify new markets, business opportunities and revenue streams.
• Generate qualified student recruitment leads and convert prospects into paying clients.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with overseas universities, colleges, educational institutions and recruitment partners.
• Develop partnerships with secondary schools, corporate organisations, educational consultants and professional associations.
• Plan and execute student recruitment campaigns, educational exhibitions, school visits, seminars and webinars.
• Develop strategies to increase client acquisition, retention and customer satisfaction.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and institutional partnerships within approved authority.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify new opportunities.
• Prepare business development plans, revenue projections and monthly performance reports.

Digital Marketing and Customer Relationship Management

• Lead digital marketing initiatives across relevant online platforms.
• Develop and monitor lead generation campaigns through social media, email marketing and other digital channels.
• Use CRM systems to monitor prospective clients, follow-up activities and conversion rates.
• Analyse marketing performance and recommend improvements.
• Work closely with the Operations Manager to establish effective customer follow-up and conversion procedures.
• Prepare accurate reports on enquiries, qualified leads, conversions, revenue and marketing effectiveness.

Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation — IFES Foundation

• Identify and engage potential donors, corporate sponsors, NGOs, philanthropic institutions and development partners.
• Develop strategic partnerships supporting education, child welfare, women and youth empowerment, and humanitarian assistance.
• Identify relevant grant opportunities and charitable funding programmes.
• Collaborate with the Foundation's Programme and Research Officer to prepare fundable project concepts, partnership proposals and sponsorship presentations.
• Support approved fundraising campaigns and institutional collaborations.
• Maintain professional relationships with Foundation stakeholders and development partners.

All Foundation-related activities must comply with IFES Foundation's separate governance and financial accountability arrangements.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Candidates must possess:

• A Bachelor's degree or HND in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, International Relations, Management or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in business development, sales management, institutional partnerships or commercial growth.
• Demonstrable experience generating revenue and achieving business development targets.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain profitable business relationships.
• Strong negotiation, communication, presentation and proposal-writing skills.
• Practical experience with CRM software, digital marketing and lead generation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and business performance reporting.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver measurable results.

Added Advantages

• Experience in international education consultancy, student recruitment or overseas institutional partnerships.
• An MBA or recognised professional qualification in Business Development, Marketing or Management.
• Established professional networks within Nigeria's education or corporate sectors.
• Experience in NGO partnerships, fundraising, sponsorship development or donor engagement.
• Practical knowledge of international student recruitment markets and educational service delivery.

Personal Attributes

We are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate:

• Strong commercial awareness and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Exceptional leadership and initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence in negotiating with senior institutional representatives.
• A proactive, innovative and solution-oriented mindset.
• High professional integrity and accountability.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• The ability to perform effectively with minimal supervision.
• A genuine commitment to achieving business targets and organisational growth.

Key Performance Expectations

The successful candidate will be assessed against agreed performance indicators, including:

• Monthly and quarterly revenue generation.
• Qualified leads generated and successfully converted into paying clients.
• New university, college and institutional partnerships established.
• Growth in student recruitment and commercial opportunities.
• Effectiveness of digital marketing and customer acquisition strategies.
• Development of credible Foundation sponsorship and donor partnerships.
• Achievement of agreed business development targets.