The Witness has a vacancy for an experienced contact centre agent – outbound based in Pietermaritzburg. The Witness is a respected news brand that covers KZN news and publishes across platforms.

Main purpose of the role

To sell the benefits of a product over the telephone to existing and potential clients to ensure targets and standards are achieved and client satisfaction maintained

Key responsibilities:

(The primary tasks, functions and deliverables of the role)

• May be required to develop a list of potential contacts for cold calling;
• Achieve agreed levels of cold-calling activity to increase volume and revenue streams;
• Meet the agreed level of contact with existing accounts as is necessary to maintain and increase levels of business activity;

• Ensure first-call resolution in closing sales or addressing client dissatisfaction;
• Identify sales opportunities and effectively present key features and benefits of product(s) to secure new business;
• Keep abreast of competitor activity to constantly seek out new revenue-generating opportunities to ensure that targets are met;
• Adhere to the sales policies and procedures at all times;
• Obtain, confirm and update all client details accurately and efficiently;
• Refer customer issues requiring further execution and investigation to back office support teams;
• Ensure prepayments (where applicable) are processed within appropriate deadlines;
• Achieve monthly objectives as agreed with the manager;
• Keep all administrative work updated; and
• Report on sales opportunities and achievements as required (daily / weekly).

Skills and competencies

(The abilities that the individual needs to perform this role effectively)

• Good Interpersonal skills
• Good verbal and written skills
• Good telephone etiquette
• Ability to work under pressure
• Time management skills
• Administrative skills
• Attention to detail
• Sales ability and persuasiveness
• Customer service orientated
• Target driven

 Given the employment equity policy of Media24, preference will be given to suitable candidates from the designated groups.