Business Relationship Manager
Sales, Full-Time
Lagos, Nigeria [On-Site]
SmartChain Limited is Africa's leading Human Capital Services firm, specializing in workforce pipeline development and senior talent placement across the continent's most dynamic and high-growth markets. We partner with a diverse portfolio of organizations — from globally recognized enterprises and frontier-market firms to international development institutions and professional services organizations — to identify, attract, and place exceptional talent that drives lasting impact.
This mandate is being managed exclusively by SmartChain on behalf of a confidential client. Shortlisted candidates will receive a full client brief at the appropriate stage of the process.
Our client is a globally operating technology solutions provider with a significant and growing footprint across Africa. Trusted by some of the continent's largest enterprises in financial services, energy, telecoms, and government, they deliver end-to-end technology transformation — from cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity through to solution design and managed services — through deep partnerships with the world's leading OEMs.
This is a rare commercial leadership mandate. The organization is scaling aggressively in Nigeria and is looking for a Business Relationship Manager. This role is built for a pure hunter profile — someone who excels at opening doors, initiating high-value conversations, and uncovering real business problems.
If you have spent the last decade building credibility and client relationships across boardrooms in BFSI, oil & gas, telecoms, or government — and your network is a genuine competitive advantage — this role is worth your full attention.
Role Overview
- Department: Sales
- Reports To: Senior Manager, Enterprise Solutions Sales
- Direct Reports: None
- Employment Type: Full-Time Employee (FTE)
- Location: Lagos, Nigeria [On-Site]
- Core Mandate: Drive lead generation, solution positioning, and strategic account development.
What This Role Owns
- The Business Relationship Manager owns the front-end of the sales funnel — from lead generation and lead qualification through discovery (understanding real business problems), deep strategic account development, and C-suite client engagement across Nigeria's most commercially significant sectors.
- The successful candidate will own a structured sales pipeline, generate and qualify leads, manage OEM partner relationships, and serve as the primary commercial lead across target sectors including financial services, oil & gas, telecoms, and government.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Generation (Primary Focus)
- Identify and target new enterprise clients across key sectors.
- Proactively open doors through outbound outreach, networking, and referrals.
- Build a consistent pipeline of new leads and opportunities.
- Develop and execute account penetration strategies.
- Ensure only high-potential, sales-ready leads are progressed.
Discovery & Problem Identification
- Conduct structured discovery calls with clients and stakeholders.
- Ask insightful, probing questions to uncover root business challenges, strategic priorities, and operational gaps and inefficiencies.
- Document clear problem statements and opportunity summaries.
- Map key stakeholders, influencers, and decision-makers.
Pre-Sales & Solution Positioning
- Build early-stage relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Establish credibility and trust during initial interactions.
- Navigate complex client environments to identify key decision-makers.
- Deliver compelling presentations and product demonstrations to senior enterprise audiences.
Pipeline Management
- Maintain accurate tracking of all leads and opportunities in CRM.
- Provide visibility on pipeline health and quality.
- Ensure proper documentation of all discovery insights.
What You Bring
We are looking for a superstar. The word is used deliberately. This role demands someone who thrives in the front end of the sales cycle — opening conversations, asking the right questions, and uncovering the real problems behind what clients say they need. They combine sharp thinking with strong execution and consistently turn early-stage conversations into well-defined, high-quality opportunities.
Experience
- 4–5+ years in business development, lead generation, or front-end enterprise sales.
- Strong track record in hunting and opening new opportunities.
- Experience conducting client discovery conversations.
- Exposure to enterprise environments (BFSI, telecoms, oil & gas, government is a plus).
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional lead generation and prospecting skills.
- Strong discovery and questioning ability.
- Ability to uncover real business problems, not surface needs.
- High curiosity and analytical thinking.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to structure ambiguous conversations into clear insight.
- Familiarity with consultative frameworks (SPIN, Challenger, MEDDIC, etc.).
- Basic understanding of enterprise technology solutions (cloud, SaaS, infrastructure).
- CRM proficiency (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.).
What This Role Offers
- Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with senior leadership calibre.
- Exposure to enterprise clients and high-value opportunities.
- Strong collaboration with senior commercial leadership.
- Performance-driven environment with growth potential.
How to Apply
- This role is being managed exclusively by SmartChain Limited. To apply, visit smartchainlimited.com/careers and complete the online application.
- All applications are treated with strict confidentiality. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by the SmartChain team for a briefing and initial assessment.
- For senior-level enquiries, reach out to your SmartChain relationship contact directly.
- Applications should be made on or before May 18, 2026, via smartchainlimited.com/careers.
- Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. SmartChain is an equal opportunity employer.
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