Vice President Business Development

WHAT WE DO

We build innovative fintech products to help SMEs make cash flow. From instant access to funding to all-in-one business banking accounts and cutting-edge financial analysis tools were on it! Our purpose is to help SMEs manage their business better faster simpler Lula so they can spend more time doing what they love.

Speaking of love were looking for Lulas who love to make a difference to join our team and change the game.

OVERALL PURPOSE

The purpose of this role is to help Lula find its next wave of growth whether through new partners products or markets. We have spent the last 11 years helping SMEs in South Africa solve their cash flow problems. This role is about finding that next frontier of growth to continue scaling Lula at the 100% year-on-year growth rates its used to.

Responsibilities will include:

Opportunity Identification & Prioritisation

• Continuously scan for new markets segments and partnership opportunities
• Build and maintain a clear pipeline of opportunities (not just deals but ideas)
• Develop hypotheses on where growth will come from and pressure-test them
• Size opportunities (market revenue potential complexity) and prioritise ruthlessly

Partner Sourcing & Deal Execution

• Identify approach and engage high-potential partners
• Lead end-to-end deal process: outreach pitching negotiation close
• Structure commercial terms that drive meaningful revenue (not just logos)
• Work through legal risk and product constraints to get deals over the line

New Initiatives (Markets / Products / Channels)

• Lead discovery and early-stage validation of new growth bets
• Run pilots and MVP launches with partners or internally
• Translate ambiguous ideas into concrete execution plans
• Kill weak ideas quickly; double down on what shows traction

Partner & Channel Performance Management

• Own performance of key partnerships and channels
• Track metrics (volume revenue CAC conversion etc.) and identify gaps
• Work with partners to optimise performancenot just maintain relationships
• Intervene quickly when something underperforms

Cross-functional Leadership

• Work closely with product credit risk and operations to launch and scale initiatives
• Act as the bridge between external opportunity and internal execution
• Push internal teams when neededdont accept slow or vague responses
• Ensure deals actually get implemented and dont stall post-signature

Commercial & Strategic Input

• Contribute to overall growth strategy and planning cycles
• Build business cases for new initiatives and present to leadership
• Provide regular insight on market trends competitor moves and partner landscape
• Challenge existing assumptions and surface new angles

Reporting & Accountability

• Own a clear set of growth / revenue targets
• Report on pipeline deal progress and performance of initiatives
• Maintain a tight feedback loop between strategy and results
• Be accountable for outcomes not activity

THE COMPETENCIES WERE AFTER

• Commercial judgment
• Structured problem solving
• Deal-making ability
• Execution bias
• Partner management
• Communication
• Data fluency

THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WERE LOOKING FOR

• 5 years in:
  • Business development / partnerships
  • Strategy / consulting
  • Venture / startup growth roles
  • Product roles with commercial ownership
• Proven track record
  • Launching new initiatives (markets products channels)
  • Closing and scaling partnerships
  • Owning a revenue or growth metric
• Industry exposure
  • SME lending / fintech / financial services
  • Or adjacent ecosystems (payments marketplaces platforms)