Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Software
Certification
Timeline
Current Roles
Programme Management Excellence
Career Foundation
Industry Expertise And Education
Why Choose
Personal Information
Generic

Barney Knoetze

Senior Sales Director & Project Leadership Professional
George,WC

Summary

Accomplished Sales Director and Project Leadership Executive with over two decades of proven success driving revenue growth, managing complex implementations, and leading high-performing teams across Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Demonstrated expertise in scaling operations, managing P&L responsibilities exceeding multiple millions, and delivering transformational solutions in banking, fintech, and enterprise software sectors. Currently serving dual leadership roles as Global Sales Director at 6 Sigma Group and Head of Sales and Delivery at Auton8, where strategic market expansion efforts have resulted in a remarkable 20% increase in market share within the first year. Track record of building and leading cross-functional teams of 50+ professionals whilst maintaining exceptional client satisfaction and retention rates. Core competencies span enterprise sales management, complex project delivery, stakeholder engagement at C-suite level, and business development across diverse geographical markets. Recognised for ability to translate technical solutions into business value, negotiate multi-million pound contracts, and drive organisational transformation through strategic leadership and operational excellence.

Sales professional with solid foundation in global market dynamics and strategic sales initiatives. Known for fostering collaborative team environments and driving results. Relied upon for adaptability and proficiency in client relationship management and market analysis.

Experienced with global sales management and developing comprehensive strategies to capture market share and increase revenue. Utilizes deep understanding of international markets to tailor sales approaches that resonate with diverse client bases. Track record of leading high-performing teams and implementing effective sales processes.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
1
1
Language

Work History

Global Sales Director

6 Sigma Group
09.2024 - Current
  • Leading market expansion initiatives across MEA and Europe whilst managing global partner networks and account management teams.
  • Successfully conducted demonstrations of 6 Sigma Credit Risk Management system featuring best-in-class ESG module to enterprise clients including major financial institutions and multinational corporations.
  • Achieved 20% market share increase within first year through strategic sales initiatives.
  • Expanded partner network across 15 countries in MEA and European markets.
  • Closed multiple seven-figure enterprise deals with tier-1 banking institutions.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive go-to-market strategies for new products.

Head of Sales and Delivery

Auton8
09.2024 - Current
  • Spearheading sales strategy and implementation of automated testing suites across African banking sector, targeting major financial institutions.
  • Managing end-to-end delivery process ensuring seamless implementation whilst driving significant revenue growth through value-based selling approach.
  • Strategic sales planning and execution across three continents.
  • Management of delivery teams ensuring on-time, on-budget project completion.
  • Development of pre-sales technical demonstrations and proof-of-concept initiatives.
  • Client relationship management at C-suite level.

Regional Services Manager Europe and MEA

Aspire Systems
05.2023 - 05.2024
  • Oversaw all project delivery across Europe and MEA regions, managing P&L, delivery teams, and providing critical pre-sales support.
  • Collaborated closely with sales organisation on proposal development and deal closure, contributing to 30% year-on-year revenue growth through strategic client engagement and operational excellence.

Project Director - Core Project Managers Head

Temenos
06.2019 - 03.2023
  • Led talented team of project managers whilst overseeing critical banking software implementations across Africa.
  • Managed P&L responsibilities and drove business growth through strategic project execution, delivering over 40 successful implementations during tenure with exceptional client satisfaction ratings.

Project Director - South Africa

Finastra
08.2018 - 05.2019
  • Spearheaded banking and payment projects across South Africa, leading dynamic team of project managers.
  • Enhanced leadership and strategic planning capabilities whilst managing P&L and driving business growth in highly competitive market environment.

Programme Manager Africa

FINASTRA - Misys International Banking Systems
Johannesburg
02.2011 - 05.2019
  • Comprehensive oversight of Project Program Portfolio across African continent, shaping and executing projects from inception through completion.
  • Coordinated deliverables across multiple work streams whilst leveraging synergies among projects to optimise delivery timelines and resource allocation.
  • Managed portfolio of 20+ concurrent banking software implementations across 12 African countries, maintaining 95%+ client satisfaction scores throughout tenure.
  • Successfully implemented agile transformation across delivery organisation, resulting in improved delivery velocity and enhanced client engagement throughout project lifecycles.

Applications Programme Manager

Glenrand MIB
12.2009 - 12.2010
  • Oversaw portfolio of IT and business projects, managing project delivery, business analysis, and requirements gathering to ensure strategic alignment with organisational objectives.

Programme Manager

iSolve Business Solutions
04.2009 - 12.2009
  • Managed complete redevelopment and migration of core insurance comparison product, orchestrating collaboration between business and development teams throughout entire project lifecycle.

Programme Director

Gallardo IT Enterprises
09.2006 - 02.2009
  • Led cross-functional teams developing tailored digital software and mobile solutions using Agile methodologies, delivering successful projects for Government and Retail sectors.

Operations/Project Manager

Internet Filing (SARS Efiling)
06.2004 - 08.2006
  • Project managed large-scale SARS system development across multiple platforms including legacy mainframe systems, managing entire project lifecycle and operations team with exceptional results.

Group IT Manager

Protector Group
03.2000 - 05.2004
  • Managed delivery of custom-built software solutions across Business Intelligence, Medical Aids, Hospital and Pharmacy systems, leading multi-disciplined project teams.

Project Manager

The IQ Business Group
05.1996 - 02.2000
  • Provided project management services to Financial and Health Service sectors, delivering Medical Aid and workflow systems with full project responsibility.

Education

Programme Manager -

FINASTRA - Misys International Banking Systems
Johannesburg, South Africa
05.2019

Skills

Customer service leadership

Sales team leadership

Sales strategy development

Client account management

Business relationship management

Contract negotiation

Customer relationship management (CRM)

Agile methodologies

Project coordination

Service delivery

Quality control

Agile testing

Business analysis

IT recruitment

Software

Temenos T24, Finastra, Oracle, 6 Sigma CRM, Transwarp, IBM Certified

Certification

CPSP - Certified Professional Sales Person

Timeline

Global Sales Director

6 Sigma Group
09.2024 - Current

Head of Sales and Delivery

Auton8
09.2024 - Current

Regional Services Manager Europe and MEA

Aspire Systems
05.2023 - 05.2024

Project Director - Core Project Managers Head

Temenos
06.2019 - 03.2023

Project Director - South Africa

Finastra
08.2018 - 05.2019

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
03.2000 - 05.2004

Project Manager

The IQ Business Group
05.1996 - 02.2000

Programme Manager -

FINASTRA - Misys International Banking Systems

Current Roles

  • Global Sales Director, 6 Sigma Group, 2024-09-01, Present, Leading market expansion initiatives across MEA and Europe, Managing global partner networks and account management teams, Conducted demonstrations of 6 Sigma Credit Risk Management system, Achieved 20% market share increase within first year, Expanded partner network across 15 countries, Closed multiple seven-figure enterprise deals, Developed go-to-market strategies for new products
  • Head of Sales and Delivery, Auton8, 2024-09-01, Present, Spearheading sales strategy and implementation of automated testing suites, Managing end-to-end delivery process, Driving significant revenue growth through value-based selling, Strategic sales planning and execution across three continents, Management of delivery teams ensuring on-time, on-budget project completion, Development of pre-sales technical demonstrations

Programme Management Excellence

Programme Manager Africa, FINASTRA - Misys International Banking Systems, 2011-02-01, 2019-05-01, Johannesburg, South Africa, Comprehensive oversight of Project Program Portfolio across African continent, Coordinated deliverables across multiple work streams, Managed portfolio of 20+ concurrent banking software implementations, Successfully implemented agile transformation across delivery organisation

Career Foundation

  • Applications Programme Manager, Glenrand MIB, 2009-12-01, 2010-12-01, Oversaw portfolio of IT and business projects, Managed project delivery, business analysis, and requirements gathering
  • Programme Manager, iSolve Business Solutions, 2009-04-01, 2009-12-01, Managed complete redevelopment and migration of core insurance comparison product, Orchestrated collaboration between business and development teams
  • Programme Director, Gallardo IT Enterprises, 2006-09-01, 2009-02-01, Led cross-functional teams developing tailored digital software and mobile solutions, Delivered successful projects for Government and Retail sectors
  • Operations/Project Manager, Internet Filing (SARS Efiling), 2004-06-01, 2006-08-01, Project managed large-scale SARS system development across multiple platforms, Managed entire project lifecycle and operations team
  • Group IT Manager, Protector Group, 2000-03-01, 2004-05-01, Managed delivery of custom-built software solutions, Led multi-disciplined project teams
  • Project Manager, The IQ Business Group, 1996-05-01, 2000-02-01, Provided project management services to Financial and Health Service sectors, Delivered Medical Aid and workflow systems

Industry Expertise And Education

Banking & Financial Services, Risk & Compliance, Enterprise Software, PMBOK Certified, PRINCE2 Certified, Agile methodologies, Sales leadership

Why Choose

Over 20 years of consistent success delivering measurable results in sales growth, project delivery, and team leadership across diverse markets and challenging environments., Ability to see the bigger picture whilst managing operational details, developing and executing strategies that drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage., Natural leader who builds high-performing teams, mentors emerging talent, and creates collaborative environments where people excel and organisations thrive.

Personal Information

Availability: Currently engaged in dual leadership roles, open to discussing new opportunities aligned with career aspirations and available for senior executive positions, Available for remote work across multiple time zones
Barney KnoetzeSenior Sales Director & Project Leadership Professional