Senior Business Development Manager

Senior Business Development Manager – Nairobi

Our client is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Business Development Manager to join their Nairobi-based team.

This position is offered on an initial two-year contract with full benefits, with the possibility of conversion to permanent employment based on sustained performance

The successful candidate will play a key role in identifying and developing business opportunities across East Africa, supporting international companies seeking to enter, grow, and establish strategic partnerships within the region.

This role requires a strong understanding of the East African business landscape, excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to translate market intelligence into actionable business opportunities

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop business opportunities across East Africa, supporting international companies seeking to enter, expand, and grow within the region.

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with government institutions, private-sector organisations, and civil society stakeholders to enhance market access.

• Generate business leads, market intelligence, and sector insights to identify emerging commercial and investment opportunities.

• Conduct market research and develop sector strategies that support informed business development and market-entry decisions.

• Organise and coordinate business missions, market visits, networking engagements, and other business development events across the region.

• Support initiatives that strengthen bilateral trade and commercial relationships, while collaborating effectively with regional and international stakeholders.

• Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university.

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in international trade, investment promotion, business development, market analysis, marketing, banking, or a related field.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong presentation skills and the ability to produce clear, concise, high-quality reports.

• Strong research and analytical capabilities, with the ability to translate market intelligence into commercially relevant insights and opportunities.

• Highly organised and adaptable, with the ability to work independently, manage strict timelines, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Fluent in spoken and written English, willing to travel for work, and able to collaborate effectively with multicultural and multi-location teams while demonstrating integrity and professionalism.

• Summit Recruitment and Search Africa is a leading Recruitment and Executive Search agency headquartered in Kenya providing outstanding talent to a wide range of companies and NGOs in various business sectors across Africa.

• We endeavour to make contact with all of our applicants, but unfortunately, high volumes of applications make this unrealistic. If you do not hear from us within two weeks your application has not been successful on this occasion. This does not mean you will not be considered for future roles so please keep an eye on our job board and apply for positions that match your skills and experience.

• Summit Recruitment and search Africa upholds a steadfast commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and equality as integral pillars of our operations. Dedicated to driving positive change through the adoption of sustainable practices that minimize our ecological footprint. We firmly believe in fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce that embraces individuals from all races, genders, and backgrounds, ensuring equal opportunities for every candidate. Summit recruitment actively advocate for equality by cultivating an environment of respect, fairness, and non-discrimination. By prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and equality, we aim to set a high industry standard and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

• Summit Recruitment & Search, as a policy, does not charge any fee as a pre-employment or post-employment requirement