Business Development Manager

About the role

As Business Development Manager, you will identify and develop relationships that support the growth of AfroShorts. You will turn promising opportunities into well-scoped proposals, guide discussions with prospective partners, and coordinate a smooth handover when an agreement moves into delivery. The role combines market research, thoughtful outreach, commercial judgement, and long-term relationship building across the media and entertainment ecosystem.

What you will do

• Research and prioritise prospective partners across content, distribution, brands, and audience communities, assessing their fit with AfroShorts goals.
• Build a qualified opportunity pipeline through targeted outreach, introductions, industry conversations, and consistent follow-up.
• Lead discovery conversations to understand a prospective partner's objectives and identify a clear, mutually valuable opportunity.
• Develop tailored proposals and presentations that explain the partnership concept, expected value, scope, and practical delivery requirements.
• Work with the wider team to evaluate commercial terms, resource requirements, and risks before making commitments.
• Support negotiations and coordinate agreement reviews and approvals with the appropriate decision-makers.
• Maintain accurate pipeline records, next steps, and forecasts, reporting progress and highlighting obstacles early.
• Coordinate partner onboarding and handover, then maintain relationships to understand performance and identify opportunities to develop the partnership.
• Monitor relevant market developments and competitor activity, using research and partner feedback to recommend new growth opportunities.

What you will bring

• Demonstrated experience in business development, partnerships, or commercial relationship management, with examples of opportunities you helped move from introduction to agreement.
• Strong research and prospecting skills, including the ability to distinguish a promising lead from an opportunity that does not fit the business.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with confidence preparing proposals, presenting ideas, and leading stakeholder conversations.
• Commercial judgement and negotiation skills, including an understanding of how scope, costs, obligations, and expected value affect a partnership.
• Experience maintaining a structured pipeline using a CRM or comparable tools, with reliable documentation and follow-through.
• The ability to coordinate across teams and balance new business activity with care for existing partner relationships.
• An interest in media, entertainment, and African, Caribbean, and Black American audiences; relevant industry relationships are welcome.