Deven Govender
Business Development Director: Internal at AutoTraderSA- Claim this Profile
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English Full professional proficiency
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Afrikaans Professional working proficiency
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Bio
John O'Connell
I worked closely with Deven both in his role as Head of Private Advertising, responsible for managing and driving privates revenue through the National Call Centre and more recently as Head of Projects, an important role in the major transformation project of accelerating the migration of magazine revenues to Digital in the SA business. Deven rightly and justifiably prides himself on his ability to master his brief, focus on the detail of what is important and consistently deliver both as a manager and valuable contributor to the senior team.
Phil Harvey
When I first met Deven he was Private Advertising Manager at South Africa Auto Trader. The business was about to embark on a major transformation program that included operational restructure of Sales, Service and business model. The program also included the development and implementation of a new automotive website. Deven’s pragmatic approach and keen attention to detail made him the ideal candidate to take up the role of Project Manager ensuring the effective day-to-day management of all activity across 11 workstreams. This was Deven’s first Project Management role, however his natural skills and approach to his objectives impressed me and I am sure that he will continue to develop and become very successful within this discipline. Deven is also a very approachable individual able to appropriately manage stakeholders and encourages engagement across the project teams at all levels within the organisation. A pleasure to work with!
John O'Connell
I worked closely with Deven both in his role as Head of Private Advertising, responsible for managing and driving privates revenue through the National Call Centre and more recently as Head of Projects, an important role in the major transformation project of accelerating the migration of magazine revenues to Digital in the SA business. Deven rightly and justifiably prides himself on his ability to master his brief, focus on the detail of what is important and consistently deliver both as a manager and valuable contributor to the senior team.
Phil Harvey
When I first met Deven he was Private Advertising Manager at South Africa Auto Trader. The business was about to embark on a major transformation program that included operational restructure of Sales, Service and business model. The program also included the development and implementation of a new automotive website. Deven’s pragmatic approach and keen attention to detail made him the ideal candidate to take up the role of Project Manager ensuring the effective day-to-day management of all activity across 11 workstreams. This was Deven’s first Project Management role, however his natural skills and approach to his objectives impressed me and I am sure that he will continue to develop and become very successful within this discipline. Deven is also a very approachable individual able to appropriately manage stakeholders and encourages engagement across the project teams at all levels within the organisation. A pleasure to work with!
John O'Connell
I worked closely with Deven both in his role as Head of Private Advertising, responsible for managing and driving privates revenue through the National Call Centre and more recently as Head of Projects, an important role in the major transformation project of accelerating the migration of magazine revenues to Digital in the SA business. Deven rightly and justifiably prides himself on his ability to master his brief, focus on the detail of what is important and consistently deliver both as a manager and valuable contributor to the senior team.
Phil Harvey
When I first met Deven he was Private Advertising Manager at South Africa Auto Trader. The business was about to embark on a major transformation program that included operational restructure of Sales, Service and business model. The program also included the development and implementation of a new automotive website. Deven’s pragmatic approach and keen attention to detail made him the ideal candidate to take up the role of Project Manager ensuring the effective day-to-day management of all activity across 11 workstreams. This was Deven’s first Project Management role, however his natural skills and approach to his objectives impressed me and I am sure that he will continue to develop and become very successful within this discipline. Deven is also a very approachable individual able to appropriately manage stakeholders and encourages engagement across the project teams at all levels within the organisation. A pleasure to work with!
John O'Connell
I worked closely with Deven both in his role as Head of Private Advertising, responsible for managing and driving privates revenue through the National Call Centre and more recently as Head of Projects, an important role in the major transformation project of accelerating the migration of magazine revenues to Digital in the SA business. Deven rightly and justifiably prides himself on his ability to master his brief, focus on the detail of what is important and consistently deliver both as a manager and valuable contributor to the senior team.
Phil Harvey
When I first met Deven he was Private Advertising Manager at South Africa Auto Trader. The business was about to embark on a major transformation program that included operational restructure of Sales, Service and business model. The program also included the development and implementation of a new automotive website. Deven’s pragmatic approach and keen attention to detail made him the ideal candidate to take up the role of Project Manager ensuring the effective day-to-day management of all activity across 11 workstreams. This was Deven’s first Project Management role, however his natural skills and approach to his objectives impressed me and I am sure that he will continue to develop and become very successful within this discipline. Deven is also a very approachable individual able to appropriately manage stakeholders and encourages engagement across the project teams at all levels within the organisation. A pleasure to work with!
Credentials
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Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
Google Digital Academy (Skillshop)Jan, 2022- Nov, 2024
Experience
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AutoTraderSA
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South Africa
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Advertising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Business Development Director: Internal
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Mar 2016 - Present
As a senior member of the leadership team reporting directly to the CEO, my main responsibility is to identify and pursue new business opportunities for AutoTrader. This includes overseeing the development and execution of transitional plans, such as restructuring, implementing new technologies, entering new markets, conducting market research, and building relationships with potential partners and clients by developing new business models, identifying potential partners, and leading negotiations to close deals, Joint Ventures and partnerships in order to identify opportunities for growth and collaboration and developing strategies to increase sales and revenue. Show less
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Head of Business Development
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Dec 2013 - Feb 2016
Reporting directly to the CEO with responsibility for identifying new business models and partnerships and driving negotiations and closing commercial partnerships across the business. Accountable for the development, implementation and execution of all transitional plans across the business ensuring that deliverables are achieved and are aligned to the strategic goals.
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Head Of Private Sales - Auto Trader South Africa
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Feb 2011 - Nov 2013
As the Head of Private Sales for AutoTrader my responsibilities included building and executing the sales strategy for the both the C2C and C2B markets with the core focus in Digital Transformation, which included the migration of Print Offline products to Digital Online self-serve products to new markets by identifying business opportunities and routes to market.Promoted into this Senior Role as Head of Private Sales I am a highly effective and influential Contact Centre Senior Manager who has extensive experience in managing sales generation for Inbound and Outbound contact Centre’s, through sales campaigns, add on sales, up selling, cross selling and services campaigns. I have excellent operational and commercial experience with the drive and commitment to achieve results. I have successfully implemented online advertising platform for trade customers and embedded this within the current telesales team.1. Trend analysis and forecasts.2. Setting the operational targets for the staff through KPIs formulation.3. Reporting the supportive reports to the Sales and Accounting department to issue the monthly invoices.4. Managing the Call Center Revenue target from the ongoing operations by maximizing the Call Center Agent utilization.5. Take the actions required to implement policy across all the Call Center Levels.6. Ensure the compliance of the operational processes and policies with the guidelines of the NCC7. Determining staff training and development plan to continuously succeed in delivering a high standard of inbound and outbound services. Show less
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National Call Centre Manger Auto Trader - South Africa
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Aug 2003 - Jan 2011
Developing and implementing a strategic plan for the National Call Centre which is consistent with the strategic direction of Trader Media.• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with key internal and external customers• Managing the day to day functions of the National Call Centre including: Direct management and supervision of National Call Centre staff and Photo Agents nationally• Managing people from process, product and being a hands-on Strategy Expert• Maintained and improved call centre operations by monitoring system performance; identifying and resolving problems; preparing and completing action plans; completing system audits and analyses; managing system and process improvement and quality assurance programs; installing upgrades.• Accomplished call centre human resource objectives by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, assigning, coaching, counselling, and driving correct behaviour; administering scheduling systems; communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, appraising, and reviewing job contributions; planning and reviewing compensation actions; enforcing policies and procedures.• Prepared Call Centre performance reports by collecting, analysing, and summarizing data and trends.• Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments. Show less
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Merchants
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South Africa
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Outsourcing and Offshoring Consulting
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700 & Above Employee
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Call Center Support Representative South African Airways
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Apr 2000 - Mar 2003
South African Airways were launching their first E-commerce website and Customer Service Desk which was outsourced to the Merchants group which was led by Mr Nico Bezuidenhout from SAA. It was here where I started building a foundation on how to provide excellent customer service and encourage customers to use online booking engine on the newly developed website www.flysaa.com. My responsibilities at South African Airways included providing information and assistance to customers using the airline's loyalty program, SAA Voyager. This involved helping customers with flight reservations, itinerary changes, and baggage concerns. Additionally, this included resolving customer queries related to unallocated loyalty program points and miles and provided flight information, checked baggage, and solved ticket-related travel problems. In the event of an overbooked flight, I was responsible for checking boarding passes, upgrading seats, and re-issuing tickets. Overall, my goal was to assist passengers with booking and providing tickets to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey. Show less
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Call Center Support Representative
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Mar 1999 - Mar 2000
As a Dimension Data Group company, Merchants has provided customer contact solutions to a variety of blue chip organisations part of this role entailed Assisting customers with ISP suspensions and re-connections to the internet. This was basic one-call resolution Changing payment plans.Responsibilities• Providing productive customer contact solutions• Building customer relationship processes in line with customer satisfaction• Implementing a one call resolution• Update the debtor’s book to 30 day and 60 day accounts• Represent the customer to the rest of the business - Customer Advocate• Demonstrate excellent product and system knowledge• Handle client queries regarding billing and activations of new Accounts• Updating clients information Show less
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Absa Group
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South Africa
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Financial Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Call Center Support Representative ABSA Home Loans
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Nov 1998 - Feb 1999
ABSA Direct - Call Center Support Representative Home Loans Responsibilities • Assist customers with completing Home Loan Applications • Demonstrate excellent product and system knowledge • Handle client queries regarding existing home loan policies and other enquiries • Capturing all Home Loan Applications • Following up with Buyer and Sellers on Home Loan Application status • Updating clients information • Escalating queries to Deeds Office • Selling value added products- Short term insurance Show less
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Standard Bank Group
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South Africa
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Financial Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Call Center Representative Standard Bank Credit Card Division
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Dec 1997 - Oct 1998
Standard Bank Credit Card Division. Collections Department - EDS Responsibilities • Capturing new business Credit Card applications • Demonstrate excellent product and system knowledge • Handle client queries regarding statements and service fee charges • Client Verification through 3rd party Credit Bureau • Identify Fraudulent Applications and escalate to Fraud Investigation Team • Calling all 60 and 90 Day customers to arrange payment plan • Issuing of New Cards to walk in customers • Updating clients information and limit increases on existing applications • Folding Credit Card statements and prepare them for postage • Scanning all Applications and Supporting documents to fish tape Scanner Show less
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FNB South Africa
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South Africa
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Banking
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700 & Above Employee
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Bank Teller - Bulk Cash First National Bank
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Dec 1996 - Nov 1997
Responsibilities included Balancing of cash received • Verify customer cash deposits • Prepare client registers and ensure that it is accurately completed • Balance and Reconcile cash on compass or ISA or relevant counting system and print report for submission to treasury • Verify customers details on compass to ensure that the account number and is correct customer reference is correct Ensure that Cash Processing procedures are adhered to • Sign for work received • Check that the information on the bags are correct and compare it to the register that you have signed for • Write bag number, customer information, time you open the bag and the codes that refer to the customers on white board and show it to the camera • Empty the bag inside out and show it to the camera • Count the money as per the procedure and ensure that it balances • Stamp the deposit slip place it back into the bag and sent it to the client Health and Safety • Participate in safety forums created by company for example safety meetings and safety talks • Report all safety incidents to the relevant people • Discuss all safety incidents • Follow-up on any activities assigned through safety meeting/committee/representative/management • Attend safety education and refresher programmes • Comply with safety policies and procedures at workplace • Distribute safety information as and when required Show less
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Nedbank
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South Africa
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Financial Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Administrator Short Term Insurance Nedbank
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Nov 1995 - Feb 1996
Administration of Claims and Pay-Outs to Nedbank Policy Holders Responsibilities • Perform administrative duties, including filing the necessary paperwork for all insurance claims brought on behalf of the company and any other paperwork assigned • Submit new applications to relevant Insurance Claim teams • Keep daily progress of New Business • Obtain Policy Information and schedules in preparation for client appointments and reviews • Assist clients with all servicing queries Administration of Claims and Pay-Outs to Nedbank Policy Holders Responsibilities • Perform administrative duties, including filing the necessary paperwork for all insurance claims brought on behalf of the company and any other paperwork assigned • Submit new applications to relevant Insurance Claim teams • Keep daily progress of New Business • Obtain Policy Information and schedules in preparation for client appointments and reviews • Assist clients with all servicing queries
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Education
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2023 - 2024
Wits Business School
Master of Business Administration - MBA -
2022 - 2022
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
The Law and Economics of Mergers and Acquisitions -
2020 - 2022
Wits Business School
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA), Business Administration -
2019 - 2020
Wits Business School
Core Concepts in Digital Business, Principles and Frameworks in a Digitalising Economy -
2010 - 2011
Wits Business School
MAP, Management Advancement Program -
2006 - 2006
LEADER MOTIVATION
Leadership Development Program, Jump Start -
2002 - 2002
South African Airways Commercial Centre For Learning
Voyager Theory and Systems, Loyalty Programme -
2000 - 2000
South African Airways Commercial Centre For Learning
International Fares and Ticketing, Gold Certificate -
1996 - 1996
ALLENBY CAMPUS
Certificate in Travel And Tourism, Travel & Tourism -
1996 - 1996
South African Airways Commercial Centre For Learning
Ticketing and Fares 1, Silver Certificate -
1990 - 1996
Lenasia South SKF
Karate, Brown Belt -
1995 - 1995
Lenasia South Secondary
Community
