Group Head, Sales & Business Development

Vethan Concepts Group Limited (VCGL) is a dynamic Nigerian conglomerate with a portfolio spanning scientific instrumentation, energy solutions, industrial automation, and event management. Our subsidiaries operate with a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Group Head, Sales & Business Development

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: Sales & Business Development

Level: Senior Management

Reports To: Group Managing Director / CEO

Job Summary

• The Group Head, Sales & Business Development is responsible for providing strategic leadership for sales, business development, revenue generation, market expansion, key account management, and strategic partnerships across VCGL and its subsidiaries.
• The role requires a commercially driven professional with strong business development acumen and an understanding of technical, engineering, scientific, technology, event management, and financial-sector business environments.
• The successful candidate must be able to understand technical and commercial solutions, engage effectively with technical and commercial teams, identify business opportunities, develop strategic relationships, and convert opportunities into profitable business outcomes.
• The position will play a key role in developing and executing the Group's growth and expansion strategy, strengthening the Group's stakeholder and client base, managing strategic accounts, developing new markets, and achieving the Group's revenue and growth targets.

Overall Objective

• To position VCGL and its subsidiaries for sustainable commercial growth by building a high-performing sales organisation, expanding strategic markets, developing valuable partnerships, strengthening key accounts, and converting the Group's technical, scientific, engineering, technology, and business capabilities into measurable revenue and long-term customer value.

Authority & Accountability:

• The Group Head, Sales & Business Development will have responsibility for the performance and strategic direction of the Group's sales and business development activities, subject to the overall direction and approval of Executive Management.
• The role is accountable for delivering sustainable revenue growth, expanding the Group's market presence, developing strategic commercial relationships, strengthening key accounts, and ensuring that the Group's technical and business capabilities are effectively converted into viable and profitable business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Revenue Leadership:

• Develop and implement the Group's sales strategy in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Set sales targets, revenue objectives, KPIs, and performance standards.
• Lead and coordinate sales teams across VCGL and its subsidiaries.
• Monitor sales pipelines, conversion rates, revenue performance, and customer acquisition.
• Develop strategies to increase revenue from existing and new markets.
• Ensure effective sales forecasting and pipeline management.
• Drive accountability and performance across the sales function.

Business Development:

• Identify new business opportunities, markets, industries, products, services, and revenue streams.
• Develop and execute business development plans for the Group and its subsidiaries.
• Build strategic partnerships and commercial relationships.
• Research market trends, customer needs, industry developments, and competitor activities.
• Develop proposals, business cases, tenders, presentations, and commercial offers.
• Lead negotiations and support the successful closure of major business opportunities.
• Develop long-term strategies for market penetration, diversification, and business expansion.

Technical Solutions & Business Development:

• Develop a strong understanding of the Group's technical products, engineering solutions, scientific services, technology solutions, and other specialised business capabilities.
• Work closely with relevant Group units to understand client requirements and develop appropriate solutions.
• Translate technical capabilities and solutions into commercially viable business opportunities.
• Participate in technical and commercial discussions with clients and strategic partners.
• Understand, coordinate, and escalate technical issues that may affect customer satisfaction, project delivery, or commercial relationships.
• Coordinate with technical and operational teams to ensure proposed solutions meet customer requirements and commercial expectations.
• Identify opportunities for technical innovation, new products, specialised services, and engineering-related business development.

Key Account & Client Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain relationships with major clients and strategic accounts.
• Lead engagements with high-value corporate, institutional, government, and strategic customers.
• Understand customer needs and identify opportunities for additional business.
• Develop account-growth strategies for key customers.
• Ensure effective resolution of commercial and customer-related issues.
• Maintain strong relationships with decision-makers and strategic stakeholders.
• Develop long-term relationships that support customer retention and recurring business.

Commercial Strategy:

• Develop pricing, market-entry, customer acquisition, and revenue-growth strategies in collaboration with management.
• Analyse commercial opportunities and assess their potential value to the Group.
• Review sales performance and identify areas requiring improvement.
• Work with Finance and Executive Management to ensure commercially sustainable deals.
• Support contract negotiations and major commercial agreements.
• Evaluate potential partnerships, investments, and strategic business opportunities.

Team Leadership & Performance Management:

• Lead, mentor, and develop sales and business development teams.
• Establish clear responsibilities, targets, and performance expectations.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and sales meetings.
• Identify skills gaps and implement appropriate training and development initiatives.
• Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, innovation, customer focus, and results.
• Develop high-performing teams capable of operating across multiple business sectors.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with:
• Engineering & Technical Services
• Scientific/Laboratory Services
• Operations
• Finance & Accounts
• Marketing
• Procurement & Logistics
• Customer Service
• IT & Technology
• HR & Administration
• Events & Exhibition
• Executive Management to ensure that business opportunities are properly evaluated, developed, won, delivered, and converted into sustainable customer relationships.

Reporting & Business Intelligence:

• Prepare regular sales and business development reports for Executive Management.

• Provide accurate sales forecasts and revenue projections.

• Track sales pipelines, opportunities, and conversion rates.

• Analyse market, customer, and commercial data to support strategic decision-making.

• Monitor industry and competitor developments.

• Provide management with recommendations for improving revenue, market penetration, and business performance.

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be measured based on:

• Achievement of Group sales and revenue targets.

• New business acquisition and customer growth.

• Sales pipeline development and conversion rate.

• Growth and retention of key accounts.

• New market and strategic partnership development.

• Gross revenue and commercial performance.

• Successful closure of major business opportunities.

• Customer retention and relationship growth.

• Performance of sales and business development teams.

• Effectiveness of sales forecasting and reporting.

• Contribution to overall Group business growth.

• Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Engineering, Science, Technology, Finance, or a related discipline.

• A Master's degree or relevant professional qualification is an advantage.

• Minimum of 8 years' progressive experience in Sales, Business Development, Technical Sales, Commercial Management, or related fields.

• Significant experience in a leadership or senior management position.

• Proven track record of achieving sales and business development targets.

• Experience in engineering, technical sales, scientific/technical products, technology solutions, event management, financial services, or other technical/commercial business environments is strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of B2B sales and corporate business development.

• Demonstrable experience in strategic partnerships and key account management.

• Strong commercial negotiation and deal-closing experience.