Business Development Consultant

Business Development Consultant Are you seeking to progress your career? Skilled in recognizing, sourcing, and securing direct new business opportunities? Keep reading! Aon South Africa is hiring a Business Development Consultant. This hybrid role allows working virtually and from our Sandton head office. The Sales Consultant – New Business identifies, sources, and closes direct new business opportunities in South Africa. The focus is on unions and organised labour markets. This role drives profitable growth aligned with Aon’s new business strategy and overall growth goals by applying solid sales skills, negotiation ability, and relationship-building expertise. New business refers to direct opportunities sourced and secured through local sales activity and initiatives in the South African market. It excludes global or multinational accounts unless the business states otherwise. Aon is in the business of better decisions At Aon, we build decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. As an organization, we are united through trust as one engaged team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed. What the day will look like Actively seek out new business opportunities beyond the larger current Aon client base, following the local new business strategy. Contribute to the development and rollout of the new business growth strategy for the South African market. Identify, develop and manage relationships within unions, organised labour and associated collaborators to generate balanced new business opportunities. Network and promote the Aon and Group brand, developing positive connections within the employee benefits and unionized labor sectors. Prepare for client engagements by carrying out detailed research to understand the client’s business, workforce profile, union / labour structures and benefit requirements. Apply strong sales and negotiation skills to present, position and close Aon’s solutions with decision-makers and collaborators. Assist prospective clients in developing efficient, competitive employee benefit and risk solutions aligned with their organisational strategies and employee expectations. Build positive relationships with prospective clients through questioning, influencing and consultative selling skills. Maintain an advanced level of technical expertise in Employee Benefits (Retirement Funding, Risk Benefits and/or Healthcare Consulting) to clearly communicate Aon’s solutions and value proposition. Manage the sales pipeline effectively – from lead generation, qualification and proposal development through to closing and onboarding, ensuring accurate and timely pipeline reporting. Work in cross‑functional (matrix) teams with internal collaborators (consulting, servicing, operations, legal, marketing) to develop and deliver winning client solutions. Ensure the smooth onboarding and transition of new clients into the business, following established business procedures and client experience criteria. Provide mentorship in provider and solution selection, ensuring alignment to client needs, Aon strategy and regulatory requirements. Represent Aon professionally in all external forums, including union and industry meetings, tenders, presentations and negotiations. Skills and experience that will lead to success Qualifications Completion of Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification is required. A relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is preferable. Must be registered as a representative with the FSCA in terms of the FAIS Act. Minimum NQF5 Wealth Management or equivalent. Knowledge Extensive understanding of the Employee Benefits sector (Retirement Funding, Risk Benefits and/or Healthcare Consulting). Understanding of the South African union and organised labour environment and related collaborator dynamics (advantageous). Solid understanding of sales processes, pipeline management and business development fields. Understanding of industry and business strategies and how Aon’s solutions correspond to client objectives. Digital literacy with sophisticated know‑how in MS Word and Excel; familiarity with CRM / pipeline management tools is advantageous. Skills and Attributes Strong sales skill with a bold, proactive new business approach and a proven “hunter” mentality. Strong negotiating and influencing abilities, including experience managing complex negotiations involving multiple parties (e.g. unions, organised labour, employer representatives). Ability to clearly express Aon’s value proposition and how it sets Aon apart while benefiting prospective clients. Strong ability to build relationships and connect effectively, especially within unionised and organised labour markets. Strong analytical, technical and problem‑solving skills to translate client needs into compelling solutions. Outstanding presentation and communication skills at senior and executive levels, as well as with union and employee representatives. Able to collaborate efficiently in cross-functional (matrix) teams and persuade without direct authority. Excellent planning and time‑management skills – able to prioritise and manage multiple prospects, tasks and deadlines. High levels of drive, resilience and self‑motivation, with a strong emphasis on reaching and surpassing new business goals. High levels of professionalism, ethics, and integrity, consistent with Aon’s values and regulatory requirements. Experience At least 4 years of experience in a similar or related position within Employee Benefits or financial services. This experience should emphasize new business development and sales. Proven track record of securing and closing direct new business, ideally within unionised / organised labour or similar complex stakeholder environments. Demonstrated experience in building and managing a robust new business pipeline from prospecting through to close. #LI-AO1 2573859 Business Development Consultant Are you seeking to progress your career? Skilled in recognizing, sourcing, and securing direct new business opportunities? Keep reading! Aon South Africa is hiring a Business Development Consultant. This hybrid role allows working virtually and from our Sandton head office. The Sales Consultant – New Business identifies, sources, and closes direct new business opportunities in South Africa. The focus is on unions and organised labour markets. This role drives profitable growth aligned with Aon’s new business strategy and overall growth goals by applying solid sales skills, negotiation ability, and relationship-building expertise. New business refers to direct opportunities sourced and secured through local sales activity and initiatives in the South African market. It excludes global or multinational accounts unless the business states otherwise. Aon is in the business of better decisions At Aon, we build decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. As an organization, we are united through trust as one engaged team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed. What the day will look like Actively seek out new business opportunities beyond the larger current Aon client base, following the local new business strategy. Contribute to the development and rollout of the new business growth strategy for the South African market. Identify, develop and manage relationships within unions, organised labour and associated collaborators to generate balanced new business opportunities. Network and promote the Aon and Group brand, developing positive connections within the employee benefits and unionized labor sectors. Prepare for client engagements by carrying out detailed research to understand the client’s business, workforce profile, union / labour structures and benefit requirements. Apply strong sales and negotiation skills to present, position and close Aon’s solutions with decision-makers and collaborators. Assist prospective clients in developing efficient, competitive employee benefit and risk solutions aligned with their organisational strategies and employee expectations. Build positive relationships with prospective clients through questioning, influencing and consultative selling skills. Maintain an advanced level of technical expertise in Employee Benefits (Retirement Funding, Risk Benefits and/or Healthcare Consulting) to clearly communicate Aon’s solutions and value proposition. Manage the sales pipeline effectively – from lead generation, qualification and proposal development through to closing and onboarding, ensuring accurate and timely pipeline reporting. Work in cross‑functional (matrix) teams with internal collaborators (consulting, servicing, operations, legal, marketing) to develop and deliver winning client solutions. Ensure the smooth onboarding and transition of new clients into the business, following established business procedures and client experience criteria. Provide mentorship in provider and solution selection, ensuring alignment to client needs, Aon strategy and regulatory requirements. Represent Aon professionally in all external forums, including union and industry meetings, tenders, presentations and negotiations. Skills and experience that will lead to success Qualifications Completion of Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification is required. A relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is preferable. Must be registered as a representative with the FSCA in terms of the FAIS Act. Minimum NQF5 Wealth Management or equivalent. Knowledge Extensive understanding of the Employee Benefits sector (Retirement Funding, Risk Benefits and/or Healthcare Consulting). Understanding of the South African union and organised labour environment and related collaborator dynamics (advantageous). Solid understanding of sales processes, pipeline management and business development fields. Understanding of industry and business strategies and how Aon’s solutions correspond to client objectives. Digital literacy with sophisticated know‑how in MS Word and Excel; familiarity with CRM / pipeline management tools is advantageous. Skills and Attributes Strong sales skill with a bold, proactive new business approach and a proven “hunter” mentality. Strong negotiating and influencing abilities, including experience managing complex negotiations involving multiple parties (e.g. unions, organised labour, employer representatives). Ability to clearly express Aon’s value proposition and how it sets Aon apart while benefiting prospective clients. Strong ability to build relationships and connect effectively, especially within unionised and organised labour markets. Strong analytical, technical and problem‑solving skills to translate client needs into compelling solutions. Outstanding presentation and communication skills at senior and executive levels, as well as with union and employee representatives. Able to collaborate efficiently in cross-functional (matrix) teams and persuade without direct authority. Excellent planning and time‑management skills – able to prioritise and manage multiple prospects, tasks and deadlines. High levels of drive, resilience and self‑motivation, with a strong emphasis on reaching and surpassing new business goals. High levels of professionalism, ethics, and integrity, consistent with Aon’s values and regulatory requirements. Experience At least 4 years of experience in a similar or related position within Employee Benefits or financial services. This experience should emphasize new business development and sales. Proven track record of securing and closing direct new business, ideally within unionised / organised labour or similar complex stakeholder environments. Demonstrated experience in building and managing a robust new business pipeline from prospecting through to close. #LI-AO1