Business Manager, Business Assurance

About the role

The Business Manager, Business Assurance for East Africa will lead commercial growth and regional assurance operations, reporting to senior leadership and based in Nairobi. The role is accountable for revenue, profitability and transformation of the Business Assurance portfolio across Kenya and the wider East African region.

Key responsibilities

• Own the East Africa Business Assurance growth agenda, delivering revenue, margin and market development targets.
• Develop and execute a three‑year regional growth plan, identifying priority countries, sectors, services and investment needs.
• Identify and penetrate new geographic markets, selecting appropriate operating models such as direct, partnership or affiliate structures.
• Translate regional and global priorities into actionable country plans with clear commercial, operational and financial targets.
• Lead commercial transformation toward disciplined prospecting, key‑account growth and improved sales conversion.
• Build and manage a rigorous commercial cadence covering pipeline, forecasting, pricing, win/loss analysis and tender management.
• Develop strategic regional and multinational accounts, cross‑selling across SGS businesses and leading major opportunities.
• Assess and reshape the organisation, leadership capability and operating model to support growth and accountability.
• Coach and develop country leadership, sales and operational teams, ensuring technical and auditor capacity meets demand.
• Maintain consistent service delivery, quality, accreditation compliance and customer satisfaction across the region.

Required profile

• University degree in Business Management, Engineering or related discipline; advanced business qualification is a plus.
• 12–15 years of progressive commercial and business leadership experience, with P&L responsibility.
• Proven track record of growing and transforming B2B services businesses across multiple African markets.
• Strong experience in the TIC, certification or professional services sector, with ability to win major customers.
• Demonstrated success in market entry, revenue‑stream development, commercial capability building and organisational change.
• Deep understanding of East African markets, private‑sector, government and development‑organisation ecosystems.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder‑management skills; fluent in English.