Cecilia Braxton
Managing Director – South Africa
Johannesburg
Summary
A driven, strategic and innovative commercial and operations leader with over 16 years of experience in sales and business development, and over 5 years in senior management. Currently serving as Managing Director – South Africa at Sosimple Energy, I oversee the full value chain from business development to operational execution across Solar and BESS projects implementation. I have successfully deployed over R200 million in renewable energy projects and serve on several industry advisory boards, advocating for gender equity and sustainable development in the energy sector.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director – South Africa
Sosimple Energy
08.2024 - Current
- Leading strategic direction, project execution, and national operations, including oversight of both the commercial sales team and the engineering/project delivery team.
- Key Responsibilities:
- Team Management & Operations
- Oversight of sales and operations teams, ensuring seamless execution from project sale to commissioning.
- Maintain sold-to-built project ratio within 20%.
- Ensure bi-annual performance reviews and annual training for all staff.
- Company Strategy
- Achieve annual strategic targets and successfully launch innovation initiatives aligned with company objectives.
- Sales Team Management
- Ensure 90% of the sales team meets or exceeds targets.
- Drive sales team growth while ensuring cultural fit and performance.
- Roll out quarterly sales training and ensure compliance with SSA and credit approval standards.
- Sales Strategy & Execution
- Expand market share and drive entry into new SADC territories.
- Improve funnel conversion and reduce sales cycle duration.
- Oversee implementation and delivery of Solar and BESS projects nationwide.
- Human Resource Management
- Reduce time-to-hire by 20% while ensuring 100% compliance with labour regulations.
- Marketing Oversight
- Drive lead generation and brand visibility within budget.
- Ensure alignment between brand messaging, events, and social content.
- Corporate Negotiations
- Personally lead all major corporate customer negotiations to ensure value delivery and long-term satisfaction.
- Strengthened client relationships with regular communication, timely project delivery, and high-quality services.
- Delivered consistent revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities and expanding service offerings.
- Optimized resource allocation for improved efficiency and profitability across all departments.
- Directed large-scale projects from inception to completion on time/budget with strict adherence to quality standards.
Head Of Sales
Sosimple Energy
01.2023 - 07.2024
- Streamlined sales processes, resulting in enhanced efficiency and increased productivity.
- Developed strong client relationships for improved customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Implemented effective CRM tools to track leads, maintain accurate customer data, and optimize the sales process.
- Managed key accounts effectively, ensuring ongoing satisfaction while identifying upsell opportunities to drive additional revenue growth.
- Mentored junior sales staff, fostering professional growth and contributing to overall team success.
- Negotiated contracts with major clients, securing long-term partnerships that generated significant revenue streams.
- Delivered engaging presentations at industry events, showcasing company offerings and attracting prospective clients.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new opportunities for business expansion and growth.
- Launched new products successfully by collaborating with cross-functional teams and executing comprehensive go-to-market plans.
- Led a high-performing sales team to consistently exceed quotas and achieve top rankings within the company.
- Maintained relationships with customers and found new ones by identifying needs and offering appropriate services.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and improve customer service.
Solar Sales Manager
Sosimple Energy
09.2020 - 12.2022
- Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution, and client satisfaction.
- Built long-lasting client relationships through excellent customer service and consistent followups.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
- Managed key accounts with strategic planning and relationship building, resulting in increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new business opportunities, leading to expansion into profitable territories.
- Overcame objections from potential clients by addressing concerns effectively and offering customized solutions based on their unique needs.
- Developed comprehensive product knowledge, enabling tailored solutions for clients'' specific needs.
- Assisted in recruiting top talent for the sales team, contributing to a high-performing work environment.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to create targeted promotional campaigns, driving customer engagement and sales growth.
- Negotiated partnerships with complementary businesses, creating synergies and expanding customer base.
- Expanded market share by identifying and penetrating untapped markets.
- Implemented comprehensive customer relationship management strategy, improving client satisfaction and loyalty.
Project Director
Generatione
07.2019 - 08.2020
- Overseeing daily sales activities, improving overall business functions, training sales staff, managing/assisting budgets, developing strategic plans, conceptualizing, and implementing on new projects, and communicating business goals.
- Helping the team develop and be more productive, while ensuring profits and business growth are on the rise. Sales across the business and products.
- Negotiating/Identifying potential charging stations across South Africa
- Successfully launched Smarter Mobility Africa, Smarter Mobility World and EVRT Africa which included the successful launch of 14 EV charging stations across South Africa. (https://generationehq.com/)
Business Development Manager
Siyenza Management
06.2018 - 07.2019
- Company Overview: https://www.siyenza.za.com/
- Successfully generated new business across Africa Energy Indaba, Manufacturing Indaba Portfolio (4 regional events). Working with brands to establish objectives within the region incorporate concepts and present opportunities which align with the show and brand.
- Continuously monitor and research the Energy, Manufacturing and event market, keeping up to date with trends and changes within in the industry. Communicating regularly with key stakeholders and ensuring clear action plans are formulated and implemented.
- Identify and attend competitor events within the region to network, prospect and drive new business. Providing logistical support to customer and ensuring information is communicated clearly.
Business development Manager
Terrapinn
01.2016 - 05.2018
- Company Overview: https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/powerelectricity-world-africa/index.stm
- Manage a portfolio of events in the Power and Electricity Industry.esponsible for market research, planning and positioning. Running a 12- month sales campaign, customer service.
- Doing project research, business strategy, winning and retaining clients for my portfolio. B2B elling complex packages to senior prospective customers. Growing my portfolio with R 3 000000 in a 12-month cycle.
- Responsible for the success of Power and Electricity World Africa. Enrolled into leadership program with Terrapinn (PLOT)
Exhibition Manager
Mallspace Management
04.2015 - 12.2015
- Company Overview: https://mallspacemanagement.co.za/
- Sell and promote the exhibition space of non-leased areas within a number of shopping centres.
- Supervising staff by maximizing performance and maintain staff discipline in the correct manner, while maintaining a sound supervisor- subordinate relationship.
- Developing of new business through cold calling and maintain existing relationships. Managing specific events set out by centre management.
Senior Sales Executive
Universal Database Management
04.2009 - 03.2015
- Company Overview: https://www.udm.co.za/
- Telephonic calls to referral-based clients, General administrative duties when signing on the client.
- Reinstating of lapsed policies due nonpayment, reviewing of existing policies and then upgrading the policies.
- Exceeding monthly targets. Up to 320 policies a month. Adhere to excellent call quality when dealing with clients.
- Showing great negotiation skills and dealing with objections from clients.
Education
RE 5: Representatives - Finance
Moonstone
Johannesburg 08.2011
Sales Management Course - Sales And Marketing
Digital School of Marketing
Johannesburg 12.2022
Some College (No Degree) - Solar PV Excel – Design and Install
PQRS
Johannesburg FAIS 30 Credits Long Term Insurance - undefined
Moonstone
11.2010
Matric - undefined
Hoerskool Birchleigh
01.2008
Skills
Sales leadership
Mentoring and training
Recruitment strategies
Business development
Client relationships
Business planning
Strategic planning
Operations management
Financial management
Revenue growth
Budget management
Organizational development
Contract management
Organizational structuring
Decision-making
Accomplishments
- Successfully deployed over R200 million in Solar and BESS projects across South Africa.
- Advisory Board Member for the Commercial & Industrial Energy Summit – South Africa and Zambia.
- Co-Deputy Chair of the Gender & Economic Transformation Working Group under SAPVIA.
- Promoted to Managing Director – South Africa (Sosimple Energy) in August 2024, driving business growth, cross-border expansion, and operational excellence.
Timeline
Managing Director – South Africa
Sosimple Energy
08.2024 - Current
Head Of Sales
Sosimple Energy
01.2023 - 07.2024
Solar Sales Manager
Sosimple Energy
09.2020 - 12.2022
Project Director
Generatione
07.2019 - 08.2020
Business Development Manager
Siyenza Management
06.2018 - 07.2019
Business development Manager
Terrapinn
01.2016 - 05.2018
Exhibition Manager
Mallspace Management
04.2015 - 12.2015
Senior Sales Executive
Universal Database Management
04.2009 - 03.2015
FAIS 30 Credits Long Term Insurance - undefined
Moonstone
Matric - undefined
Hoerskool Birchleigh
RE 5: Representatives - Finance
Moonstone
Sales Management Course - Sales And Marketing
Digital School of Marketing
Some College (No Degree) - Solar PV Excel – Design and Install
PQRS
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