Business Development Lead

Title: BD Lead
Market: UK and US (Primary), Netherlands, Germany, Nordics, and Portugal (Secondary)
Location: Remote from South Africa
Salary: R28,000 – R40,000 per month + Commission
The Opportunity
Our client has spent over 20 years building one of the most respected specialist recruitment brands in Data & Analytics, placing talent across AI, Machine Learning, Data Engineering, Data Science, and Full-Stack Software Engineering with clients across the UK, Europe, and a growing US market. The business is founder-led, lean by design, and actively rebuilding, with a dedicated delivery function already in place and a clear mandate to accelerate new client revenue.
They are now rebuilding and growing. This is a front-office BD Consultant role with genuine commercial autonomy. You will own a defined market patch, develop long-term client relationships, and directly shape the next chapter of the business. Delivery support is already in place. Your job is to win the work.
We will also consider candidates who operate as a 360 recruiter (combining BD and delivery) where they bring a credible existing network across one of our core markets. In that case, the role can flex to accommodate a broader remit.
If you are coming from a business where commission is gated, your desk is crowded, or your best relationships are already owned by someone else, this is the opposite of that.
What You'll Do
Map and build a cold client base within a defined data vertical (AI/ML, Data Engineering, Data Science, or Full-Stack SE)
Identify and prospect hiring managers, department heads, and TA leaders across UK and US markets
Win new business through outbound calling, LinkedIn, and referrals, using a phone-first approach
Brief the delivery team thoroughly so placements are executed without your involvement
Maintain pipeline visibility and report commercially on what is in progress, what is close, and what is stalled
Essential
What We're Looking For
Proven BD billing history in data, analytics, or tech recruitment. You can name your deals and separate your numbers from the team's.
UK or US recruitment market experience. You understand how clients buy, what fees look like, and how to build trust at senior level remotely.
Comfortable on the phone. Cold outreach is a core part of how you work, not a last resort.
Self-managing. You set your own targets, structure your own week, and don't wait to be told what to do next.
Advantageous
An existing client or candidate network in any of the clients core verticals
Experience placing permanent talent at mid-to-senior level
Familiarity with LinkedIn Recruiter, Sourcewhale, or similar outreach tooling
The Ideal Candidate
The Person
Proven BD biller in data, analytics, or tech recruitment, with demonstrable personal fee history
UK or US market experience (Essential)
Commission-driven, with clear income goals and external financial motivation
Finer Details
Salary: R28,000 to R40,000 per month via Untapped EOR
Commission: 5% on placements up to GBP 12k | 7% on GBP 12k to 20k | 10% above GBP 20k
Working hours: 9:30am to 6:30pm SAST (remote, South Africa-based)

Skills
Business Development

Experience
20+ yrs

Work arrangement
Yes