Business Development and Sales Executive

Software Sales & Business Development Executive (Kenya, East Africa & Pan-Africa)
Company: Skillmind Software Ltd
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Valley View Office Park, off Limuru Road), with extensive travel
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

1. About Skillmind Software
Skillmind Software Ltd is an AI-first enterprise technology company headquartered in Nairobi, serving organisations across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Our flagship platform, HRGenie AI, brings payroll, attendance, leave, performance management, recruitment, training, travel and asset management together in one compliant, intelligent platform. Our wider portfolio includes WizCRM AI, WizERP AI, WizFlow AI, TeamKazi project management, ERP consulting, Staff Augmentation, Employer of Record (EOR), IT Solutions and CTO-as-a-Service.
We serve healthcare providers, NGOs, retail and e-commerce, manufacturing and industrial firms, SMEs, and education institutions. Our platforms cover more than 5,000 employees and over 20M in monthly payroll. We are now expanding beyond Kenya into East Africa and the rest of the continent, and we need a self-driven sales professional to open and own these markets.

2. The Role
This is a field-based, quota-carrying role for someone who can build a pipeline from nothing, close enterprise and SME deals, and open new countries without day-to-day supervision. You will be the face of Skillmind in your territory: prospecting, presenting, negotiating, closing and handing over to delivery.
Territory Rollout

1. Phase 1 : Kenya: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and beyond. Build pipeline and close deals in core verticals.
2. Phase 2 : East Africa: Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and neighbouring markets. Open new markets, form channel partnerships and win first anchor clients.
3. Phase 3 : Rest of Africa: Expand into new markets based on the business case you build.

3. Key Responsibilities

1. Generate and qualify your own leads through networking, cold outreach, LinkedIn, industry events, chambers of commerce and referrals.
2. Run the full sales cycle: discovery, needs analysis, product demonstrations, proposals, negotiation and closure.
3. Sell the full Skillmind portfolio, with HRGenie AI (HR & Payroll) as the lead product and cross-selling CRM, ERP, workflow, staff augmentation and IT services.
4. Travel regularly across Kenya and the region to meet decision-makers such as CEOs, CFOs, HR Directors and IT Heads face to face.
5. Find and onboard channel partners, resellers and implementation partners in new countries.
6. Research each new market's payroll, tax and labour compliance needs and feed these into product and pricing discussions.
7. Prepare and present tenders, RFP responses and commercial proposals.
8. Keep accurate pipeline, activity and forecast records in the company CRM, and report weekly to the COO.
9. Meet or exceed quarterly revenue and new-logo targets.
10. Represent Skillmind at expos, HR forums and technology summits across Africa.

4. Requirements

1. Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Sales & Marketing, IT or a related field.
2. Experience: At least 4 years in B2B software or SaaS sales, with at least 2 years in a field or territory role.
3. Domain Knowledge: Experience selling HR/Payroll, ERP, CRM or other enterprise software is a strong advantage.
4. Track Record: Documented history of meeting or beating revenue targets.
5. Independence: Proven ability to work alone, set your own schedule and deliver results without daily direction (see Section 5).
6. Travel: Willing to travel extensively, often for extended periods, across Kenya, East Africa and the rest of Africa.
7. Documents: Valid passport (or eligibility to obtain one immediately) and a valid driving licence.
8. Communication: Excellent spoken and written English. Kiswahili is essential; French is a strong plus for Pan-African expansion.
9. Tools: Comfortable with CRM systems, MS Office/Google Workspace, LinkedIn Sales Navigator and virtual demo platforms.
10. Network: An existing network of HR, finance or IT decision-makers in Kenya or the region is a major advantage.

5. Proof of Independent Performance (Mandatory)
This role has no hand-holding, so we will only consider candidates who can show they work independently. Your application must include:

1. Independent Deal Case Studies: Two deals you sourced, pursued and closed largely on your own. For each, give the client sector, deal value in USD, sales cycle length, your specific role, and how you found the lead.
2. Territory or Market Opening Evidence: One example of a new territory, vertical or client segment you opened, with the results you achieved.
3. Target Achievement Record: Your targets and actual results for the last two to three years, as percentages or USD values.
4. Verifiable Referees: At least two former managers or clients who can confirm you worked autonomously and delivered results.
5. Market Entry Mini-Plan (one page): Research Skillmind through our website and outline how you would win the first five HRGenie AI clients in one country of your choice outside Kenya. Cover target sectors, how you would get introductions, channel partners and a 90-day action plan.

Applications without these items will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to defend their case studies and plan at interview, and references will be checked before any offer.

6. What We Offer

1. A competitive base salary plus a good commission structure.
2. Fully funded business travel: transport, accommodation and per diem.
3. Ownership of a high-growth territory with a direct line to company leadership.
4. A strong, AI-powered product portfolio that solves real compliance and efficiency problems.
5. Clear career progression.
6. Product training and sales enablement on the full Skillmind ecosystem.

Candidates who are willing to relocate to Kenya need to apply

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Skillmind Software is an equal opportunity employer.