Senior Business Development & Client Engagement Manager

Loubby AI

Sales

Job Role & Person- Specification

AfriLabs is seeking a dynamic, results-driven Senior Manager, Business Development & Client Engagement to lead our efforts in building, maintaining, and expanding strategic partnerships across Africa and beyond. This role is key to ensuring that no opportunity slips through the cracks—from initial pitch through relationship stewardship—by acting as both a business concierge and a deal closer. The ideal candidate will combine strong business acumen with excellent relationship management and follow-up discipline, ensuring AfriLabs remains a top-of-mind partner among donors, corporates, and ecosystem enablers.

Responsibilities:

• Business Development & Partnership Growth
• Identify, cultivate, and close new partnership opportunities aligned with AfriLabs’ mission and growth targets.
• Collaborate with leadership to refine and execute a partnership acquisition strategy, including mapping stakeholders, value propositions, and impact narratives.
• Manage and track incoming leads, opportunities, and follow-ups—ensuring no warm lead goes cold.
• Develop compelling concept notes, proposals, decks, and other materials to support partnership outreach.

Client & Partner Engagement (Concierge Function)

• Act as the central point of contact for AfriLabs' key partners—ensuring seamless communication, follow-through, and delivery of agreed value.
• Proactively manage partner accounts, checking in regularly, tracking deliverables, and anticipating needs.
• Set up and maintain structured partner engagement calendars and feedback loops.
• Internal Coordination & Reporting
• Work with Programme, Communications, Operations and Finance teams to align partnership commitments with execution.
• Maintain a real-time pipeline of prospects and ongoing relationships, supported by dashboards and CRM tools.
• Provide timely updates and reports to leadership on partner status, risks, and next steps.
• Support leadership team in preparing for high-stakes partnership meetings.

Who You Are

• You have an entrepreneurial mindset and approach challenges with a can-do attitude.
• You’re a proactive problem-solver who sees opportunities others might miss.
• You’re culturally fluent, with a deep understanding of Africa’s innovation and development landscape.
• You build and nurture relationships with emotional intelligence, authenticity, and trust.
• You work independently and take initiative but thrive when collaborating across teams.
• You bring a global outlook, with the confidence to engage diverse stakeholders and funders across regions.
• Technologically proficient in the use of AI and productivity tools

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required

• Minimum 7 years' experience in business development, partnership management, fundraising, or client services—preferably in non-profit, development, or innovation ecosystem sectors.
• Demonstrated success in closing and managing high-value partnerships or client relationships.
• Strong writing, storytelling, and pitch development skills; able to distil complex ideas into crisp messaging.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, including working with executives, funders, and ecosystem leaders.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, CRM, and follow-up systems.
• Experience working across African markets and/or with international partners strongly preferred.
Proven ability to navigate diverse cultural and stakeholder contexts—across Africa and globally.

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