Business Development Manager — Content (Visual & Audio Production)

ABOUT SMART STUDIO
Smart Studio is Smart Africa Group's solution-oriented production house, specialising in visual and audio storytelling. We exist to help brands bring their narratives to life through world-class content — from TVCs and branded films to podcasts, photography, and live productions. With a rigorous focus on quality, creativity, and client brand integrity, Smart Studio is the creative heartbeat of the SAG ecosystem.

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Business Development Manager, Content is responsible for driving Smart Studio's commercial growth across its visual and audio production services. This is a strategic, client-facing role focused on identifying market opportunities, building lasting relationships, and packaging Smart Studio's creative capabilities into scalable, profitable offerings. The role ensures that content production becomes a strong revenue-generating vertical, fully aligned with the group's broader business objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Business Growth
   • Develop and implement business growth strategies for the Content Division, aligned with company-wide objectives.
   • Identify emerging opportunities in visual and audio content across industries.
   • Position Smart Studio as a go-to creative and production partner for multimedia storytelling.
   • Lead commercial proposals, pricing strategies, and contract negotiations for content projects.
2. Client Acquisition & Account Management
   • Build and manage a portfolio of clients seeking photography, videography, and podcasting services.
   • Cultivate long-term relationships with marketing heads, brand managers, agencies, and development partners.
   • Drive repeat business and cross-sell across Smart Studio's full service offering.
   • Partner with Relationship Managers to ensure client satisfaction and post-production continuity.
3. Content Operations Alignment
   • Work with the Director of Operations to ensure productions are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest market standards.
   • Translate client briefs into clear, executable creative scopes for the production team.
   • Maintain production efficiency by leveraging partnerships, freelancers, and internal talent.
   • Monitor project performance, profitability, and delivery turnaround.
4. Cross-Subsidiary Collaboration
   • Collaborate with other SAG business units to integrate content into broader client solutions.
   • Upsell content services to existing clients across the group through joint pitches and project bundling.
   • Develop partnership opportunities with studios, content platforms, and media distributors.
5. Financial & Performance Management
   • Meet or exceed revenue targets for the Content Division.
   • Ensure all content projects achieve target profit margins while upholding quality and brand integrity.
   • Provide quarterly performance reports to the Business Director and CFO.
   • Track ROI across major content campaigns and client projects.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Media, Communications, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in media, production, creative agencies, or business development within the content industry.
• Proven success selling and delivering visual and audio production projects.
• Strong understanding of multimedia trends, production workflows, and client needs.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and networking skills.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing project P&Ls.

CORE COMPETENCIES
• Strategic sales and commercial acumen.
• Creative industry awareness and technical understanding of content production.
• Strong relationship management and client service orientation.
• Excellent communication and project coordination skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a drive for innovation.
• Team collaboration and the ability to lead through influence.