Business Development Manager

Location: Workshop17 Western Cape

Benefits: Medical Aid & Provident Fund

Job brief

The Business Development Manager is responsible for regional execution and oversight of all business development initiatives for Workshop17 Western Cape. The BDM works closely with the National Business Development Manager, Location Managers, the Marketing team, and the Executives to grow and maintain occupancy in our locations and to build strong relationships with internal and external parties.

The individual thrives in an ever-changing, fast-growing property environment with a focus on hospitality and service. They are business savvy with a good understanding of contracts, finance, and pricing principles. They are also people-centric and passionate about fostering sustainable and impactful networks.

Working at Workshop17

Ready to join Africa’s #1 co-working space? Where individuals, teams, and companies choose to work, meet, and event. Our 14 unique locations across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Paarl, Ballito, and Mauritius offer our members a fully serviced, flexible, high-tech co-working space, providing a platform for innovation, community, learning, and culture.

Why work for us?

Besides being the best co-working place in Africa, we’re a dynamic and passionate team that works smart in an energetic, fast-paced culture of service, responsibility, and creative problem-solving. Goal-oriented? Ambitious? We’re all about upskilling, learning, and self-improvement. Suppose you are a straight-talking, multi-tasking individual who’s all about customer service and can effortlessly handle heavy workloads and everyday glitches. In that case, we want you to be part of our growing team at Workshop17.

Other Perks

  • Company on-boarding and support.

  • Fantastic team dynamic.

  • Access to the latest, greatest tech.

  • Network with some of the biggest and brightest brains in SA.

General scope of work

Regional Execution and Oversight

  • Coordinate all business development initiatives.

  • Manage sales activities with relevant stakeholders within the region.

  • Create and update quarterly business development and sales plans for each location within the region.

  • Deal with prospects, understand their needs, and propose compelling solutions for them.

  • Close deals.

  • Create monthly pipeline reports for each location within the region.

  • Negotiate contracts with prospects and members.

Client Relationship Management and Client Experience, and Advocacy

  • Maintain good relationships with existing members in all locations.

  • Support and work with Location Managers to optimise client experience and ensure retention and referrals.

Systems and process improvement

  • Ownership and ongoing optimisation and alignment of the CRM platform, data, and processes.

  • Support the optimisation and consistent implementation of our processes and systems, based on your experience (membership service agreements, pricing strategy, etc).

Growing Member base

  • Look after enterprise leads/larger office/ team leads in the region.

  • Support Location Managers in finalising office/team quotes/proposals.

  • Support location managers in bringing new members into the Workshop17 community and check in with members after they join.

  • Manage relationships with brokers and other relevant third parties (landlords) and manage contractual agreements with brokers.

  • Identify and attend strategic events to connect with potential prospects.

  • Work closely with the Marketing and Design team to give input and feedback based on sales and member feedback.

  • Set pricing, combining business cases with market developments, and support the marketing messages going out.

  • Co-develop special offers and campaigns.


    Value Creation for Members

  • Develop mechanisms that stimulate our members to bring in other members.

  • Conceptualise and drive the implementation of Community building.

  • Identify, test, and roll out value-added services for members that lead to customer satisfaction and retention (member benefits, campaigns, and content).

  • Closely liaise with Marketing to communicate value creation to the community.


    Develop new business opportunities for Workshop17

  • Conceptualise, test, and drive new opportunities relevant to W17.

  • Assist with the vetting and analysis of new location opportunities.

Ideal Qualifications/Experience

  • 3-year relevant Bachelor’s degree.

  • 3-5 years of Sales Management experience.

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in Hospitality/Co-Working/Leasing.

  • A self-starter who can comfortably operate freely while aligning and collaborating with key Workshop17 stakeholders.

  • Strategic thinker who can identify Business Development opportunities (and risks) not just in their region but across the platform.

  • You will need to be commercially astute in the engagements with prospective organisations and members.

  • Property or leasing management would be an advantage.

Email your CV and cover letter to cv@workshop17.co.za (subject: BDM - WC)

Suitable candidates will be required to submit a Google Form, which includes a short introductory video.

First interview with the direct manager and HR Support.

Shortlisted candidates from the first round of interviews will meet with our HR Manager and CEO.