Head of Private Sector and Commercial Advisory

Head of Private Sector and Commercial Advisory

(Principal / Practice Lead)

Location

Abuja, Nigeria (with regional and international travel as required)

Reports To

Managing Partner / CEO

Role Type

Full-Time

About Sydani Group

Sydani Group is a leading international management consulting and advisory firm with deep expertise in international development, public sector transformation, systems strengthening, institutional reform, and donor-funded program delivery.

As part of its strategic growth agenda, Sydani is expanding into Private Sector and Commercial Advisory, providing strategic, operational, financial, growth, and transformation advisory services to corporations, investors, and governments across Africa and global markets.

We seek an experienced commercial consulting leader to build and scale this practice into a high-growth business line.

Role Purpose

The Head of Private Sector and Commercial Advisory will lead Sydani’s entry and expansion into private sector consulting markets, build a high-performing advisory practice, originate and close high-value engagements, and position Sydani as a trusted advisor to leading corporates and institutions.

This role combines strategy, business development, market leadership, team building, and client delivery excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Practice Strategy and Market Growth

• Develop and execute a 3-year growth strategy for Sydani’s Private Sector Advisory practice.
• Identify priority sectors such as financial services, telecoms, energy, healthcare, FMCG, manufacturing, and technology.
• Define market positioning, service offerings, pricing models, and commercial go-to-market strategy.
• Build scalable consulting solutions aligned with client demand.

2. Business Development and Revenue Generation

• Build a strong pipeline of commercial consulting opportunities.
• Originate, structure, negotiate, and close high-value advisory engagements.
• Develop long-term C-suite relationships with corporate and government clients.
• Lead proposal development, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations.
• Drive recurring revenue growth and account expansion.

3. Practice Leadership and Team Building

• Build and lead a high-performing consulting team.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop consultants and practice leaders.
• Establish performance metrics, operating standards, and delivery governance.
• Build delivery playbooks, methodologies, and quality assurance systems.

4. Client Delivery and Engagement Leadership

• Serve as Engagement Partner / Principal on strategic assignments.
• Oversee delivery quality, client satisfaction, and profitability of engagements.
• Provide strategic advice to CEOs, Boards, Investors, and Public Leaders.
• Ensure project execution meets world-class consulting standards.

5. Partnerships, Brand, and Thought Leadership

• Build alliances with consulting firms, sector experts, technology providers, and investors.
• Represent Sydani at executive forums, conferences, and industry events.
• Publish insights, white papers, and sector commentary.
• Position Sydani as a leading hybrid commercial-development advisory firm.

Key Success Measures (KPIs)

First 12 Months

• Launch and operationalize the Private Sector Advisory practice
• Secure a minimum 3 major commercial contracts
• Achieve commercial contract value targets
• Build a qualified pipeline of opportunities
• Recruit core advisory team
• Successfully deliver first flagship engagements

Long-Term

• Significant share of Sydani revenue from private sector clients
• Sustainable pipeline at 3x annual target
• Strong repeat client portfolio
• High proposal win rate
• Strong client satisfaction scores

Candidate Profile

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, Public Policy, or related field
• Master’s degree or MBA

Experience

• 10–15+ years professional experience
• Strong experience in management consulting, strategy, advisory, investment, or corporate transformation
• Proven record of winning and delivering large consulting engagements
• Experience leading teams, revenue targets, or business units
• Strong network across private sector markets in Nigeria and Africa
• Experience engaging C-suite executives and senior public leaders

Core Competencies

Leadership

• Practice building and entrepreneurial leadership
• Team development and executive management
• Strategic decision-making
• Performance accountability

Commercial

• Revenue growth and sales leadership
• Negotiation and pricing strategy
• Client relationship management
• Market expansion

Advisory Excellence

• Strategic problem solving
• Executive communication
• Financial and commercial acumen
• Delivery excellence

Personal Attributes

• Executive presence
• High integrity
• Strong ownership mindset
• Results orientation
• Strong relationship builder

Why Join Sydani

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a major growth engine within one of Africa’s leading advisory firms, with direct influence on market expansion, revenue growth, and future partnership opportunities.

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