Draivi is a fast-growing international performance marketing company, recognized three times on the Financial Times FT1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies. With nearly R600 million in revenue in 2025 and operations across the Nordics, Germany, Spain, Mexico and South Africa, we help lenders and financial service providers acquire customers through data-driven marketing and comparison platforms.

We are looking for an entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to build and scale our partner ecosystem in South Africa. In this role, you will manage key partnerships, identify growth opportunities and develop long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with financial service providers.

This is a unique opportunity to build our commercial presence in South Africa from the ground up and to grow with Draivi as we expand internationally. You’ll have the chance to shape a new market, take on real responsibility from day one and develop your career alongside the company’s growth. As our first commercial hire in the region, you will take full ownership of market growth, working closely with a local marketing manager and reporting directly to the management in Helsinki. As we do not yet have a legal entity in South Africa, the role will be structured either as an independent contractor agreement or via an Employer of Record (EOR).

We’re looking for someone who is highly driven, proactive, and comfortable operating independently in a role where initiative and ownership are essential. If you are the kind of person who thrives with autonomy, builds relationships naturally and has a track record of getting deals done in South African financial services, we want to hear from you.

The Opportunity

This role is critical in driving our business forward in South Africa. As Business Development Manager, you will work closely with:

• Key players in South African financial services - brokers, credit providers, banks, insurance companies and more - helping them maximize customer acquisition through our lead generation platforms

• An international team of professionals across Europe and Latin America, giving you exposure to diverse markets and best practices in a fast-paced, results-driven environment

What makes this different from a typical partnership role: you will operate more like a co-founder for the South African market than a manager within an existing structure. While we already service nearly 3 million South African consumers with our products and have robust performance marketing operations in place, you will be responsible for building and scaling the commercial function in South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Prospect and develop new partnerships within the fintech ecosystem ranging across brokers, credit providers, banks, insurance companies, debt counselors, credit bureaus and other financial services players

• Explore partnerships with other lead generation companies, affiliate networks and media partners where there is mutual value

• Deliver commercial presentations and represent Draivi in meetings and at industry events

• Negotiate agreements, commercial terms (CPA/CPL pricing, revenue share), volume commitments and exclusivity arrangements

• Manage existing partners: conduct performance reviews, define account growth plans and optimize partner revenue

• Build, maintain and strengthen partner relationships across the lending and insurance ecosystem

• Monitor KPIs and overall account health across all partnerships

• Coordinate with internal teams in Helsinki including performance marketing, product, IT and finance

• Support contract management, invoicing and basic reconciliations

• Gather market intelligence and contribute to strategic planning for the South African market

• Report pipeline, partner performance and market insights to the co-founders on a regular cadence

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in B2B sales, business development or partnership roles

• Strong understanding of the South African financial services or lending ecosystem

• Strategic partnership development and strong negotiation skills

• Analytical mindset with experience in revenue optimization and unit economics

• Strong knowledge of digital marketing terminology and performance marketing models

• Ability to perform market research and translate findings into actionable strategy

• Experience in affiliate marketing and lead generation is a strong plus

• Strong English skills (written and oral)

• A strong existing network in South African financial services is highly valued

Personal Competencies

• Entrepreneurial and self-directed – you have experience building something from scratch or operating in a high-autonomy role. This role requires independence, as there is currently no local team in South Africa.

• Strong relationship builder with excellent communication skills

• Comfortable with ambiguity: this is not a playbook role, you will figure things out and iterate

• Good listener with understanding of different business cultures

• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and planning abilities

• Trustworthy, professional and confident in stakeholder interactions

• Able to prioritize effectively and focus on high-impact opportunities

• Growth mindset with a desire to find new key partners and build something meaningful

• Willingness to question the status quo and find creative solutions

• Self-managing: you set your own schedule, prioritize without being told and deliver without daily oversight

We Offer You

• Impactful Work: Your work will directly influence the business in South Africa. We value initiative and give you the autonomy and trust to drive meaningful change. This is not a cog-in-the-machine role - your results will be visible and celebrated.

• Career Growth: As Draivi grows, so does this role. We invest in your future with hands-on experience across international markets, mentoring from the founders and real opportunity to shape a country operation from the ground up.

• Vibrant Company Culture: We foster a culture of trust, experimentation and continuous learning where creativity and results go hand in hand. Our supportive work community is one of our biggest strengths.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: This is a remote position based in Gauteng (Johannesburg/Pretoria) or Western Cape (Cape Town/Stellenbosch). You will work flexibly but should be available for in-person partner meetings across South Africa. Our flexible working hours allow you to design a rhythm that supports both productivity and personal well-being.

• Exciting Perks: Experience our annual conference trips to incredible destinations. Past trips include Germany, Croatia and France. You will also have the opportunity to visit our head office in Helsinki and work closely with the team.

• Competitive Compensation: Base compensation depending on experience, plus a performance bonus tied to partner acquisition and revenue growth. We want this role to have a meaningful upside for someone who delivers.

At Draivi we believe diversity drives innovation. We are committed to fair and unbiased recruitment, ensuring every candidate - regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, age, ability or identity - is given equal consideration. We value different perspectives and actively encourage individuals from all walks of life to apply. If you are passionate about this role, apply. Your uniqueness is not just welcome, it’s an asset.

We live and breathe ambition. We’re leaders in performance-based advertising, shaking up the financial sector and beyond. If you’re ready to join an international team that’s curious, experimental and never stops the madness – we want to hear from you.

How to Apply

Send a short note telling us who you are, why this role fits you and what relevant experience or network you bring. Include your CV. We are more interested in what you have actually built and done than formal credentials.

Apply before 3rd of May. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

🎯 Start date: Q2/Q3 2026

🌍 Location: South Africa (Gauteng or Western Cape)

💼 Employment: Contractor or via Employer of Record