BARNEY KNOETZE
George,South Africa
Summary
Global sales and project delivery manager with 25 years of experience in driving revenue growth through complex banking and fintech implementations. Expertise in closing enterprise deals, expanding market share, and managing substantial P&L portfolios. Recognized for translating technical solutions into business value and enhancing C-suite relationships. Open to remote opportunities and relocation across various time zones.
Overview
3
3
Certification
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Sales & Delivery
6 Sigma Group
Dubai - Remote
09.2024 - Current
- Assisted in developing market expansion strategies across MEA and Europe.
- Supported partner networks and managed enterprise client portfolios.
- Helped deliver product demonstrations on credit risk management and ESG solutions to senior stakeholders.
- Ensured timely project delivery by facilitating communication and collaboration among team members.
- Contributed to go-to-market strategies for new products and regional launches.
- Helped build and manage strategic partnerships across 15 international markets.
- Maintained long-term client relationships to encourage repeat business and high retention rates.
- Collaborated with product delivery and marketing teams to align commercial and operational objectives.
- Built new business partnerships to drive customer acquisition and generate revenue.
- Oversaw the management of key accounts, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Coordinated with internal teams, including product development and customer service, to meet client needs effectively.
- Negotiated contracts and agreements with clients, optimising terms for both parties while maximising sales profitability.
- Optimised sales methods to best acquire, develop and retain customers.
- Managed a portfolio of accounts, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.
- Utilised CRM systems to track interactions with clients, manage sales pipeline, and optimise sales processes.
- Managed sales forecasts and reports, providing accurate data to inform executive decision-making.
- Fostered relationships with key clients to secure repeat business and generate new leads.
- Developed pricing strategies that balanced competitiveness with profitability, adapting to market conditions.
- Studied competitors to develop innovative selling strategies.
- Compiled comprehensive documents and reports to support decision-making processes.
- Served as the main point of contact for project queries, issues, and process information for clients and employees.
- Managed project budgets, tracking expenditures and implementing cost-saving measures without compromising quality.
- Generated new leads and opportunities to maximise revenue.
- Built focused new client networks, growing business opportunities and increasing revenue possibilities.
Head of Sales & Delivery
Auton8
Sydney - Remote
09.2024 - Current
- Spearhead sales strategy and delivery of automated testing solutions for banking clients across Africa and international markets.
- Manage the full sales lifecycle from lead generation and pre-sales demonstrations to contract closure and delivery execution.
- Oversee multi-country delivery teams ensuring on-time, on-budget project implementation.
- Drive revenue growth through value-based selling and solution-led client engagement.
- Develop proof-of-concepts and technical demonstrations to support complex enterprise sales cycles.
- Manage key accounts at C-suite level, identifying upsell and expansion opportunities.
- Optimise CRM and sales processes to improve pipeline visibility, forecasting accuracy and operational efficiency.
- Strengthened profit opportunities through targeted customer relationship development, continually meeting sales objectives.
- Established and maintained positive, profitable client relationships through superb communication.
Regional Services Manager
Aspire Systems
London - UK
05.2023 - 05.2024
- Oversaw regional service delivery operations across Europe and MEA, managing P&L and multi-country delivery teams.
- Partnered with sales teams to support proposal development and deal closures through technical and operational input.
- Implemented service improvement initiatives that increased customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
- Ensured SLA compliance and governance across all regional projects.
- Provided leadership, performance management and training for regional delivery staff.
- Acted as senior escalation point for client issues and service recovery initiatives.
- Identified service gaps, developing plans to strengthen or expand offerings.
- Managed inventory of resources necessary for service provision.
- Oversaw workforce recruitment and development processes to guarantee service excellence.
Project Director - Head of Core Project Managers
Temenos
Johannesburg
06.2019 - 03.2023
- Led a portfolio of 40+ large-scale banking software implementations across African markets.
- Managed P&L accountability and delivery performance for strategic transformation programmes.
- Directed teams of project managers and consultants delivering mission-critical banking systems.
- Improved client satisfaction by introducing structured delivery governance and feedback mechanisms.
- Identified process improvement opportunities that enhanced delivery efficiency and reduced risk.
- Ensured consistent on-time project completion through strong planning, resource management and stakeholder engagement.
- Led and motivated talented project teams, achieving targets within stipulated deadlines.
- Defined project scope, milestones and task allocation to establish and maintain clear progress plans.
- Delivered products and services in line with agreed arrangements and contracts.
Programme Manager - Africa
Finastra (Misys International Banking Systems)
Johannesburg
02.2011 - 05.2019
- Directed a portfolio of 20+ concurrent banking implementations across 12 African countries.
- Coordinated multiple workstreams to optimise resource utilisation and delivery timelines.
- Led Agile transformation across delivery organisation, improving speed, quality and client engagement.
- Maintained 95%+ client satisfaction through strong stakeholder communication and issue resolution.
- Managed regional delivery teams, mentoring managers and project leaders.
- Ensured governance, risk management and quality assurance across all programmes.
- Applied impact and gravitas in influencing decision-making and programme direction.
- Set team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance for optimum results.
- Monitored project budgets, scrutinising expenditures and recommending cost-effective measures.
- Coordinated program initiatives, aligning project activities with organisational goals for streamlined execution.
- Handled negotiations with outside vendors and service agencies to meet group needs.
Applications Programme Manager
Glenrand MIB
Johannesburg
12.2009 - 12.2010
- Lead global market expansion across MEA and Europe, managing partner networks and key enterprise accounts.
- Achieved 20% market share growth within first year through strategic go-to-market initiatives.
- Closed multiple seven-figure enterprise contracts with Tier-1 financial institutions.
- Expanded partner ecosystem across 15 countries.
- Delivered executive-level demonstrations of Credit Risk Management and ESG solutions.
- Built long-term relationships with multinational clients, driving repeat business and retention.
- Evaluated programme outcomes against predefined objectives, providing insights for future planning.
- Set team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance for optimum results.
Programme Manager
iSolve Business Solutions
Johannesburg
04.2009 - 12.2009
- Managed full redevelopment and migration of core insurance comparison platform.
- Coordinated collaboration between business stakeholders and development teams.
- Delivered projects within agreed timelines and budgets.
- Established strong stakeholder relationships to support programme objectives.
- Oversaw multiple workstreams and prioritised initiatives based on business needs and risk exposure.
- Set team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance for optimum results.
- Drove team performance and improvements in diverse, inclusive working culture.
Programme Director
Gallardo IT Enterprises
Johannesburg
09.2006 - 02.2009
- Led cross-functional teams delivering digital software and mobile solutions using Agile methodologies.
- Delivered tailored solutions for Government and Retail sector clients.
- Managed multiple concurrent projects with full lifecycle accountability.
- Directed resource planning, budgeting and performance management.
- Strengthened client relationships through consistent delivery excellence.
- Analysed KPIs related to programme performance and participation, reporting findings to deliver data-driven insights.
- Supported programme efficacy, leveraging participant feedback to improve programme delivery.
Operations / Project Manager
Internet Filing (SARS eFiling)
Johannesburg
06.2004 - 08.2006
- Project managed large-scale SARS eFiling system development across multiple technology platforms.
- Managed end-to-end project lifecycle from requirements through deployment and support.
- Led operations and technical teams delivering mission-critical national systems.
- Ensured system quality, compliance and performance standards were met.
- Coordinated with government stakeholders and technical vendors.
- Kept appropriate stock levels to match expected demand.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
- Managed on-site evaluations, internal audits and customer surveys.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
Group IT Manager
Protector Group
Johannesburg
05.2000 - 05.2004
- Managed delivery of custom-built software solutions across Business Intelligence, Medical Aid, Hospital and Pharmacy systems.
- Led multi-disciplinary development and support teams.
- Oversaw IT strategy, infrastructure and systems implementation.
- Ensured alignment between technology initiatives and business objectives.
- Improved operational efficiency through system modernisation initiatives.
- Maintained strong awareness of industry advancements and technology trends, capitalising on emerging tools to meet business demands.
- Delivered empowering department leadership to drive project progress.
Project Manager
The IQ Business Group
Johannesburg
05.1996 - 02.2000
- Delivered project management services to Financial and Health Services sectors.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously across medical aid and workflow systems.
- Planned and scheduled project phases, resources and budgets.
- Monitored performance and implemented corrective actions where required.
- Ensured successful delivery through stakeholder engagement and risk management.
- Developed clear brand voices to improve marketing image and reputation.
- Monitored consumer appetites to market products in line with demand.
Education
NVQ Level 4 - Technical
Roodepoort Technical College
Roodepoort, GP01-1992
Skills
- Global Sales Leadership & Strategy
- Market expansion
- Go-to-market strategy
- Revenue growth
- Enterprise solution selling
- Value-based selling
- Multi-region sales execution
- Client & Stakeholder Relationship Management
- C-suite engagement
- Strategic account management
- Client retention
- Expectation management
- Long-term partnership building
- Customer success focus
- Programme & Delivery Management
- End-to-end project delivery
- Agile & waterfall methodologies
- On-time & on-budget execution
- Risk & issue management
- Multi-country implementations
- Commercial & Financial Management
- P&L ownership
- Pricing strategy
- Contract negotiation
- Seven-figure deal closure
- Forecasting & pipeline management
- Team Leadership & Performance Development
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Coaching & mentoring
- Performance management
- Resource planning
- High-performance culture
- Operations & Process Excellence
- Process optimisation
- SLA management
- Quality assurance
- Governance & compliance
- Continuous improvement
- Systems & Technology Exposure
- Temenos T24
- Finastra
- Oracle
- 6 Sigma CRM
- IBM solutions
- Automated testing platforms
- Enterprise banking systems
- Sales Enablement & Business Development
- Pre-sales demonstrations
- Proof-of-concept development
- Partner ecosystem growth
- Proposal development
- Market & competitor analysis
- Performance tracking
- B2B sales expertise
- Pricing strategy development
- Financial reporting
- Territory mapping
- Competitor analysis
- Customer relationship management
- Revenue growth strategies
- Budget planning
- CRM Software proficiency
- Pipeline Management
- Stakeholder management
- Key account management
- Lead generation tactics
Custom Section
- Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP)
- Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
- Prince 2 Foundation & Practitioner, Project Management Certified
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
www.linkedin.com/in/barney-knoetze
Languages
Afrikaans
Proficient
C2
English
Advanced
C1
Certification
- PMP & Prince 2 certified
- CSP - Certified sales professional
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Interests
- Cycling and Hiking
Timeline
Head of Sales & Delivery
6 Sigma Group
09.2024 - Current
Head of Sales & Delivery
Auton8
09.2024 - Current
Regional Services Manager
Aspire Systems
05.2023 - 05.2024
Project Director - Head of Core Project Managers
Temenos
06.2019 - 03.2023
Programme Manager - Africa
Finastra (Misys International Banking Systems)
02.2011 - 05.2019
Applications Programme Manager
Glenrand MIB
12.2009 - 12.2010
Programme Manager
iSolve Business Solutions
04.2009 - 12.2009
Programme Director
Gallardo IT Enterprises
09.2006 - 02.2009
Operations / Project Manager
Internet Filing (SARS eFiling)
06.2004 - 08.2006
Group IT Manager
Protector Group
05.2000 - 05.2004
Project Manager
The IQ Business Group
05.1996 - 02.2000
NVQ Level 4 - Technical
Roodepoort Technical College