Head of Sales Africa

S&P Global Ratings
Head of Sales Africa

**The Team**: You will lead the Commercial team of S&P Global Ratings based in Johannesburg reporting to the Head of Sales EMEA (London).

**The Impact**: We are looking for a self-driven individual who works effectively as part of a team and is able to interact with clients both internally and externally.

What’s in it for you?

Lead the development of sales and operational strategies, drive commercial revenue growth and shape operational improvements within the business.

Manage a high-performing commercial team.

Senior leadership of relationships with regulators, government, regulatory and customer stakeholders.

Being part of an innovative culture to identify and deliver new product solutions in all areas, including credit ratings, sustainability and cyber risk analysis.

To be part of a global company, focused on supporting personal and professional development.

**Responsibilities**:
Establish and execute regional sales and marketing strategies, taking full responsibility for achieving sales targets, growing the business and deepening client relationships.

Establish medium-term strategic plans for the region and obtain leadership endorsement and comprehensive support and engagement from all internal stakeholders.

Management of the local Sales and marketing teams and office manager (3 FTEs).

Build extensive personal and institutional relationships with corporates, banks, governments, central banks, regulators and other key institutions and individuals that will shape the future direction of financial and capital markets in the region.

Assess the competitive environment on an ongoing basis and explore partnership arrangements with other relevant businesses.

Collaborate with other S&P Global divisions to advance our market positioning in the region.

Be a Senior Spokesperson for the company representing S&P in media and industry events.

Partner with Compliance to maintain regulatory compliance in the local office and manage the regulatory relationship in South Africa and other key markets in region.

Support the local office steering committee (including Real Estate, Finance, Comptroller, office manager) ensuring office function excellence in Joburg.

Ensure strong coordination between analytical and Sales/Market Franchise Development and other functional teams in support of strategic goals for the region. This also includes taking a lead in local investor outreach and responsibility for S&P Ratings events and seminars in key markets in the region.

Contribute to the organization’s successful management, actively providing the feedback on local developments and needs to corporate management.

**What we’re looking for**:
8+ years of relevant senior sales experience, ideally in financial services with a successful track record of sales leadership and people management.

Deep knowledge and understanding of the domestic and cross border (debt) capital markets and corporate finance, including Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-Linked Bonds.

Knowledge of S&P Global and S&P Global Ratings, in particular our products and services and how they relate to customers.

An outgoing person with the ability to connect with colleagues and customers to develop strong, progressive relationships. Strong emotional intelligence and a team player with a ‘can-do’ attitude.

Ability to identify key ratings targets across all practices, market drivers/dynamics, conceptualize future product and service requirements and advocate service development to S&P.

Ability to play a lead role in the development and enhancement of a team environment where team members are highly motivated and deliver successfully.

Superior presentation, oral and written communication skills.

French-language skills would be beneficial, but not essential.

Experience with Salesforce preferred, but not essential.

Bachelor’s degree (in Business Administration with majors in accountancy, finance, economics, or banking ) would be beneficial.

Return to Work
Have you taken time out for caring responsibilities and are now looking to return to work? As part of our Return-to-Work initiative, we are encouraging enthusiastic and talented returners to apply, and will actively support your return to the workplace.

**Grade Level**: Grade 13 (for internal purposes)

**Location**: Johannesburg, South Africa

**About Company Statement**:
S&P Global delivers essential intelligence that powers decision making. We provide the world’s leading organizations with the right data, connected technologies and expertise they need to move ahead. As part of our team, you’ll help solve complex challenges that equip businesses, governments and individuals with the knowledge to adapt to a changing economic landscape.
At our Johannesburg office we have teams that are part of our Ratings, Market Intelligence, Commodity Insights and Indices divisions.
S&P Global Ratings offers critical insights for credit, risk