Joseph Sehona

I am an accomplished Bid Manager and Business Development Professional with over 19 years of experience spanning Bid Management, Proposal Development, Business Development, Governance, Risk, and Finance across both public and private sectors. My career reflects a proven ability to drive business growth, secure strategic contracts, and deliver compliant, winning bids. Currently serving as Bid Manager at XET Group, I lead the full bid lifecycle opportunity qualification, proposal development, stakeholder collaboration, pricing strategies, and bid submission ensuring competitive and compliant tenders that align with client requirements and organizational growth objectives.

With over 15 years in New Business Development, I bring a strong background in identifying opportunities, managing client relationships, and securing high-value projects. My earlier experience at Deloitte and ENM Holdings sharpened my ability to integrate business growth with risk management, governance, and compliance ensuring sustainable, responsible expansion. In addition to my corporate role, I also provide freelance Internal Audit consulting on a part-time basis, reinforcing my expertise in governance and risk while carefully balancing these responsibilities outside of core working hours.

This diverse experience positions me as a strategic, compliance-aware bid leader who creates value by blending commercial insight with governance excellence.

Bid Manager at XET Group (2023-06 – Present)

Responsible for leading and governing the full bid lifecycle in alignment with APMP best practice, implementing a structured gated process from market intelligence through to post-submission debrief and continuous improvement.

• Conduct structured market analysis and competitive intelligence
• Monitor bid portals and industry sources
• Perform client intelligence profiling
• Maintain opportunity pipeline using MS 365 (SharePoint, Excel trackers)
• Facilitate formal opportunity intake review
• Assess strategic alignment, capability fit, financial viability, and capacity
• Present opportunity brief and preliminary risk scan
• Submit Bid/No-Bid recommendation to Screening Committee
• Lead structured Go/No-Go evaluation workshops
• Apply weighted scoring criteria (win probability, risk exposure, profitability)
• Document executive decision and approval trial in MS Teams/SharePoint
• Appoint Bid Sponsor and Bid Team
• Develop detailed Bid Management Plan
• Implement reverse planning from submission deadline
• Establish RACI Matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed)
• Configure MS Teams, SharePoint, Planner for collaboration and version control
• Facilitate solution development workshops
• Define winning themes, differentiators and value proposition
• Align solutions with evaluation criteria and scoring methodology
• Develop executive summary and solution architecture overview
• Lead pricing build-up with Finance and Technical teams
• Ensure margin protection and competitive benchmarking
• Conduct pricing risk analysis
• Secure financial approval prior to submission
• Ensure full compliance with mandatory returnables and legislation
• Validate technical and administrative completeness
• Conduct final submission readiness assessment
• Maintain centralised bid library (CVs, case studies, certifications)
• Implement version control and periodic updates
• Capture lessons learned and continuous improvement actions
• Manage packaging and electronic submissions
• Validate portal upload requirements and naming conventions
• Secure proof of submission and timestamp confirmation
• Coordinate clarification responses
• Prepare presentation teams (if shortlisted)
• Conduct formal win/loss analysis
• Update strategy, risk approach and bid library accordingly

Freelance/ Project Basis Internal Audit Manager at Kgotlhetsa Consulting (2022-07 – Present)

• Provided independent audit and governance advisory services
• Conducted risk assessments, control reviews, and process documentation
• Delivered assignments outside of corporate working hours, ensuring no conflict with permanent responsibilities

Head of Business Development & Analyst at ENM Holding (2016 – 2019)

• Identified and secured business opportunities across construction and retail
• Managed proposal development and ensured compliance with tender requirements
• Delivered bids up to R200m in value

Manager, Risk Advisory at Deloitte (2009 – 2016)

• Developed proposals and managed business development targets (R3m+ annually)
• Delivered governance, risk, and internal audit solutions for major clients
• Led successful bids worth over R7m for government entities

Finance Officer at IRD SA (2020 – 2022)

Freelance/Project Basis Internal Audit Manager at SekelaXabiso Protiviti Consulting (2020 – 2022)

Supervisor Internal Audit at Xabiso Consulting (2007 – 2009)

Consultant Internal Auditor at SizweNtsaluba VSP (2006 – 2007)

Intern Corporate Governance at Gauteng Department of Housing (2005 – 2006)

National Diploma in Finance and Accounting – Tshwane University of Technology (Formerly Technikon Pretoria) (2005)