Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

THELMA OLIPHANT

Johannesburg

Summary

Sales professional with extensive experience in managing lead-to-cash cycles and closing high-value deals in enterprise and government sectors. Demonstrated expertise in solution design and contract negotiation, resulting in multimillion-rand contracts. Proven track record of driving revenue growth and enhancing company reputation through strong client partnerships. Initiated programs to promote team engagement and resilience, fostering a collaborative work culture.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience
4035
4035
years of post-secondary education

Work History

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Dark Fibre Africa (Pty) Ltd
Johannesburg
03.2025 - Current
  • Secured R9 million contract for Department of Home Affairs digitization within 24 months.
  • Achieved R14 million revenue commitment through five-year contract for 5,000 circuits.
  • Optimized sales lifecycle from lead generation to cash collection, enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Managed strategic accounts such as SITA and DHA to drive enterprise growth
  • Implemented proactive hunting and solution-based selling strategies to boost revenue.
  • Structured complex deals using advanced commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
  • Led business development initiatives focused on prospecting and contract negotiations.
  • Collaborated with technical, legal, finance, and operations teams to ensure project alignment.
  • Founded 'Find Your Tribe' Committee to enhance collaboration and morale within lead-to-cash organization.

Key Account Manager

SEACOM SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD
Johannesburg
07.2024 - 02.2025
  • Executed strategic sales initiatives, driving a 309% YTD sales growth within the first six months, exceeding company targets.
  • Optimized the sales funnel from lead generation to post-sales, achieving a 15% increase in conversion rates and reducing the sales cycle by 3 days.
  • Consistently surpassed personal and team sales targets, resulting in enhanced team productivity and overall revenue growth.
  • Conducted in-depth market research and competitive analysis, identifying growth opportunities that boosted market penetration and competitive positioning.
  • Developed actionable sales forecasts based on data analysis, reducing churn and aligning strategies with market trends.
  • Cultivated relationships with key clients, driving repeat business and improving customer satisfaction scores by 10%.
  • Proactively addressed client needs, resulting in higher retention rates and increased lifetime value of accounts.
  • Partnered with marketing, product development, and customer service teams to align sales strategies with business goals, enhancing product-market fit and customer experience.
  • Delivered actionable insights through detailed sales performance reports, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Channel Account Manager | CRM Sales Account Manager | Service Account Manager

BitCo Telecoms
Johannesburg
10.2020 - 01.2024
  • Spearheaded tenure at BitCo Telecoms as a Service Account Manager, embodying exceptional customer-centricity and a proactive approach to exceeding client expectations.
  • Progressed through successive promotions to CRM Sales Account Manager, Channel Account Manager, and finally to Enterprise/Direct Sales Account Manager, recognized for exceeding performance goals and leading strategic initiatives.
  • Achieved consistent sales growth by surpassing targets through strategic prospecting and relationship-building, contributing to sustained revenue increases.
  • Expanded the client base by identifying and fostering relationships with key prospects, driving business growth initiatives.
  • Acted as a liaison between clients and production teams, ensuring alignment with expectations and enhancing the overall customer experience.
  • Adhered to and optimized standard operating procedures, ensuring consistent quality and operational excellence.
  • Conducted detailed competitor analysis and market assessments, driving pricing and strategic decisions that reinforced competitive positioning.
  • Provided insights on company strengths and opportunities, enabling proactive responses to market challenges and enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Maintained and optimized the company's mailing list, ensuring consistent and proactive communication with existing and prospective clients to foster lasting relationships and drive business opportunities.
  • Organized and delivered impactful community-based education seminars, enhancing the company's brand image and fostering positive relationships with clients while expanding market reach.
  • Improved online sales conversion rates by 38% while fostering amazing customer experiences.

Brand Ambassador (Part-time)

Provisio Marketing
Johannesburg
01.2016 - 10.2021
  • Promoted products and services by effectively communicating unique features and benefits, resulting in increased adoption rates and customer satisfaction.
  • Distributed promotional materials, including brochures and samples, to enhance brand visibility and attract new sales opportunities by 65%.
  • Educated consumers using tools such as films, charts, and presentations, fostering a deeper understanding of product offerings and their value.
  • Customized recommendations based on consumer needs and preferences, resulting in higher conversion rates and repeat business.
  • Cultivated a positive brand image, motivating consumer engagement and improving market perception.
  • Expanded market reach by leveraging promotional materials and ensuring consistent availability of products to meet demand.
  • Compiled detailed reports on consumer feedback and product performance, providing actionable insights for optimizing sales strategies and product development.
  • Set up promotional stands and maintained adequate product stock to maximize consumer interaction and sales opportunities.
    Demonstrated in-depth product knowledge, building consumer trust and confidence to support purchasing decisions.

Account Management

Abstract Anamolies
Johannesburg
03.2020 - 09.2020
  • .Cultivated and nurtured long-term relationships with major key clients, driving sustained business growth and client retention by fostering trust and mutual collaboration such as One Mobile and Wirulink
  • Proactively resolved client issues, swiftly addressing concerns to maintain high satisfaction levels, resulting in enhanced loyalty and positive referrals.
  • Developed a deep understanding of client needs, implementing tailored solutions and anticipating requirements to drive repeat business and high client satisfaction.
  • Stayed ahead of evolving client needs, delivering innovative solutions and improvements that solidified the company’s position as a trusted partner and industry leader.
  • Streamlined communication between key clients and internal teams, enhancing collaboration and alignment on objectives, resulting in improved project efficiency and successful client outcomes.
  • Guided account teams to consistently deliver exceptional service, boosting productivity and increasing client satisfaction.
  • Led strategic planning initiatives that enhanced client outcomes and maximized mutual value, improving retention rates and driving revenue growth.
  • Negotiated contracts, established clear timelines, and ensured performance accountability, strengthening relationships and improving contract compliance.

Customer Service Executive

Cars.co.za
Johannesburg
01.2018 - 02.2020
  • Orchestrated seamless collaboration among cross-functional teams (design, sales, creative, advertising, development, and management), driving the production of high-quality materials that consistently exceeded client expectations.
  • Spearheaded upselling and cross-selling initiatives within the sales team, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue and a 10% improvement in profit margins over the course of the year.
  • Expertly handled customer complaints across multiple channels, swiftly resolving issues and maintaining high satisfaction levels, which led to a 20% improvement in customer retention and a 30% increase in positive online reviews.
  • Engaged proactively with customers through outbound calls, offering personalized assistance and ensuring accurate account information, resulting in a 25% increase in customer engagement and a 15% improvement in data accuracy.
  • Provided exceptional customer service by warmly welcoming customers, efficiently processing payments, and delivering clear information on policies and products, contributing to a 10% increase in customer loyalty and a 12% rise in repeat sales.
  • Maintained meticulous records of customer interactions, leveraging technology to manage high call volumes, ensuring accurate data management, and driving a 20% improvement in operational efficiency and a 98% data accuracy rate.
  • Collaborated closely with the customer service manager to streamline processes and uphold excellence in service delivery, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores and a reduction in service delivery time by 10%.
  • Compiled comprehensive reports on customer satisfaction, providing actionable insights that informed continuous improvement initiatives and led to a 25% improvement in service quality and a 10% increase in customer loyalty.
  • Adapted swiftly to changes in company policies or renewals, maintaining transparent communication with customers to ensure smooth transitions and minimal disruption, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rate during transitions and a 5% reduction in customer churn.
  • Generated compelling content ideas and conducted interviews for live and recorded segments, showcasing company events and activities, which increased internal employee engagement by 30% and improved internal communication across departments.
  • Authored and edited articles covering company events, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with editorial standards, which enhanced the company’s brand image and internal communications, resulting in a 20% increase in employee engagement with company newsletters.

Forum Coordinator Assistant

Gordon Institute of Business Science
Johannesburg
01.2018 - 10.2018
  • Orchestrated venue set-up for events, coordinating all arrangements meticulously to create a conducive environment, which resulted in a 25% increase in positive attendee feedback and enhanced overall event experiences.
  • Extended a warm welcome to delegates and guests upon arrival, providing personalized assistance and guidance, which contributed to a 30% improvement in guest satisfaction and generated positive event impressions.
  • Coordinated the preparation and arrangement of name tags, tents, and handouts for attendees, ensuring smooth registration and a seamless event experience, which led to a 10% improvement in event efficiency and participant satisfaction.
  • Managed payment processing during registration, handling cash, credit card, and Snap Scan transactions with precision, resulting in streamlined payment processes and a 15% reduction in registration-related delays.
  • Conducted meticulous reconciliation of payments and attendance lists post-event, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of records, facilitating post-event analysis, and improving financial transparency and operational efficiency by 20%.

Education

DIPLOMA - JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES

Damelin College
Johannesburg
04.2019

High School Diploma -

BOROKGO HIGH SCHOOL
Johannesburg
01.2016

Skills

  • Enterprise sales and negotiation

  • Commercial deal structuring

  • Strategic client relationship management

  • Business development and pipeline growth

  • Executive communication and presentations

  • Cross-functional collaboration

  • Leadership and team building

  • Adaptability and problem-solving

Skills

  • Enterprise sales and negotiation
  • Commercial deal structuring
  • Strategic relationship management
  • Business development
  • Executive communication
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Leadership and team building
  • Adaptability and problem-solving

References

  • Neo Mabitsela, Dark Fibre Africa, BP: Sales, neo.mabitsela@dfafrica.co.za, +27785215601
  • Clayton Codd, SEACOM, General Manager: Sales, claytonstephencodd@gmail.com, +27832090192
  • Gavin Parsons, BitCo Telecoms, Sales Manager, gavparsons@gmail.com, +27828358600
  • Juan Crous, Cars.co.za, Manager, juan@cars.co.za, +2778644996
  • Lebo Ndou, Abstract Anomalies, Regional Manager, ambidextrous@aggregated.co.za, +27814803013
  • Mrs Annick Malan, Provisio Marketing, Managing Director, hello@provisiomarketing.co.za, +27824645664
  • Ms Sibongile Nkawu, GIBS, Supervisor, +27117714000

Timeline

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Dark Fibre Africa (Pty) Ltd
03.2025 - Current

Key Account Manager

SEACOM SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD
07.2024 - 02.2025

Channel Account Manager | CRM Sales Account Manager | Service Account Manager

BitCo Telecoms
10.2020 - 01.2024

Account Management

Abstract Anamolies
03.2020 - 09.2020

Customer Service Executive

Cars.co.za
01.2018 - 02.2020

Forum Coordinator Assistant

Gordon Institute of Business Science
01.2018 - 10.2018

Brand Ambassador (Part-time)

Provisio Marketing
01.2016 - 10.2021

DIPLOMA - JOURNALISM AND MEDIA STUDIES

Damelin College

High School Diploma -

BOROKGO HIGH SCHOOL
THELMA OLIPHANT