Gauteng Tourism Authority Manager: Bids Development – Reference: BIDS/2026

The Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) is inviting suitably qualified and experienced professionals to apply for the position of Manager: Bids Development.

This is a permanent management position offering an attractive all-inclusive Cost to Company package of R1,250,958 per annum. The successful candidate will play an important role in growing Gauteng’s business events and tourism economy by identifying and securing high-value conventions, meetings, incentives and exhibitions for the province.

Manager: Bids Development Job Opportunity

The Gauteng Tourism Authority is an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development responsible for developing, promoting, coordinating and facilitating responsible and sustainable tourism in Gauteng.

The Authority works to position Gauteng as a world-class destination capable of attracting business visitors, tourists and major events to the province.

For this position, GTA is looking for a highly competent Manager: Bids Development who can support the implementation of the Convention, Events and Business Bureau strategy.

The successful candidate will be responsible for researching, identifying, developing and securing prospective convention and business events for Gauteng.

The role is particularly focused on business development and bid management, with the aim of converting opportunities into secured, high-yield events across the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

Job Details

What Will the Manager: Bids Development Do?

The appointed candidate will be responsible for driving Gauteng’s bidding strategy for major business events.

This involves identifying opportunities, assessing their potential value to the province, developing competitive bids and working with public and private-sector stakeholders to secure events.

The position requires someone who understands the MICE industry, tourism, destination marketing and the processes involved in bidding for and hosting major events.

Key Performance Areas

1. Bids Strategy Development and Management

The Manager: Bids Development will be responsible for developing, implementing and managing the Gauteng bidding strategy.

Key duties will include:

• Identifying, attracting and prioritising high-value bid opportunities.
• Ensuring bid opportunities align with Gauteng’s key high-growth sector priorities.
• Developing and implementing qualification criteria and frameworks for potential bids.
• Conducting feasibility assessments on qualifying bid opportunities.
• Assessing the potential economic and tourism impact of proposed events.
• Managing the execution and monitoring of the bidding strategy.
• Developing strategies to convert qualified opportunities into secured events.
• Monitoring the performance of bids and projects.
• Conducting post-event reporting and return-on-investment (ROI) analysis.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

The successful candidate will also be expected to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

This includes:

• Stakeholder engagement and communication.
• Establishing institutional linkages.
• Coordinating public and private-sector partnerships.
• Working with organisations involved in the business events industry.
• Managing relationships with venues and industry partners.
• Engaging with Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs).
• Working with incentive houses, federations and associations.
• Collaborating with Destination Management Companies (DMCs).
• Engaging exhibition management companies and other relevant industry stakeholders.

3. Trade and Business Platforms

The position will involve identifying and managing appropriate trade and business platforms that can support Gauteng’s business events objectives.

The successful candidate will need to understand industry trends and identify platforms that provide opportunities to generate leads, establish relationships and promote Gauteng as a business events destination.

4. Financial and Corporate Governance

The Manager will be expected to operate within relevant financial and corporate governance requirements.

Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and government processes will therefore be important.

5. People Management

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing people, teams, projects and programmes in line with the objectives of the Gauteng Tourism Authority.

Strong leadership, coordination and interpersonal skills will be essential.

6. Reporting and Performance Monitoring

The role also requires strong reporting and analytical capabilities.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide appropriate and timely reports, including:

• Monthly reports.
• Quarterly reports.
• Board committee reports.
• Special project reports.
• Post-event reports.
• Project performance reports.
• ROI analysis.

Core Competencies Required

GTA is looking for an experienced professional with strong knowledge of the business events and tourism environment.

Applicants should have knowledge and experience in:

• The MICE industry.
• The business events association market.
• The tourism industry, including business, trade and leisure tourism.
• Business events bidding and hosting processes.
• Business events decision-making processes.
• Destination marketing.
• Working with venues and conference facilities.
• Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs).
• Incentive houses.
• Federations and associations.
• Destination Management Companies.
• Exhibition management companies.
• Public-sector and government environments.
• Government intergovernmental relations (IGR) systems.
• Economic development strategies.
• Project management.
• Financial and corporate governance.
• PFMA requirements.

Important Skills

The position requires a candidate with strong:

• Communication skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Coordination skills.
• Business management skills.
• Liaison skills.
• Report-writing skills.
• Project management skills.
• People management skills.
• Computer literacy.

Because the role involves negotiating and securing major business events, candidates should be confident communicators who can build relationships with senior stakeholders and present compelling bids.

Minimum Requirements

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the minimum educational and experience requirements.

Qualification

Applicants must have a minimum:

Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level 7) in one of the following fields, or a closely related discipline:

• Marketing
• Tourism Management
• Business Management
• Events Management

A postgraduate qualification, such as an Honours degree or equivalent, in Tourism, Marketing, Events or Management will be an added advantage.

Work Experience

Applicants must have:

• At least 10 years’ experience in the MICE, tourism, events, convention bureau, destination marketing or a related environment.
• At least 5 years’ experience at management level, including experience leading teams, projects or programmes.

This is therefore a senior management opportunity aimed at professionals with substantial experience in the tourism and business events sector.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity may be suitable for experienced professionals who have built careers in areas such as business events, tourism, destination marketing, convention bureaux, event management or MICE.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate a track record of identifying business opportunities, developing bids, managing stakeholders and converting opportunities into successful events.

Applicants with experience working across government and private-sector environments may be particularly well suited to the requirements of the role.

How to Apply for the GTA Manager: Bids Development Position

Applicants must prepare a detailed and updated CV together with a cover letter.

The cover letter should clearly highlight the applicant’s relevant experience in relation to the Manager: Bids Development position.

Applicants must also submit certified copies of all qualifications. The certified qualification copies must be dated no older than three months.

Application Email

Applications must be emailed to Nosipho Masango at:

hr5@gauteng.net

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is:

18 September 2026 at 16:00

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.

Equal Opportunity

The Gauteng Tourism Authority advocates for equal opportunities.

Previously disadvantaged individuals and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo:

• A full background check.
• A competency assessment.

Applicants should therefore ensure that all information submitted in their applications is accurate and that their CV clearly reflects their qualifications, experience and management responsibilities.

Important Note for Applicants

Candidates who are not contacted within 30 days after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.

Applicants should also carefully check their CVs and supporting documents before submitting their applications to ensure that they meet the stated qualification and experience requirements.

Related: Gauteng Tourism Authority Manager: Legal Services, Compliance and Governance Job – Apply by 18 September 2026

Why This GTA Opportunity Is Worth Considering

The Manager: Bids Development position offers more than a senior management salary. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the growth of Gauteng’s tourism and business events economy.

By helping Gauteng secure major conventions, meetings, incentives and exhibitions, the role can contribute to increased visitor numbers, business activity and economic opportunities within the province.

With a permanent employment contract, an all-inclusive annual package of R1,250,958, and a senior management role within the Gauteng Tourism Authority, this opportunity could be particularly attractive to experienced MICE and tourism professionals looking to take the next step in their careers.

Quick Summary

• Job Title: Manager: Bids Development
• Reference: BIDS/2026
• Employer: Gauteng Tourism Authority
• Salary: R1,250,958 per annum (all-inclusive)
• Salary Scale: Haygroup Level 18
• Employment: Permanent
• Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree, NQF Level 7
• Experience: 10 years in MICE, tourism, events, convention bureau, destination marketing or related environment
• Management Experience: At least 5 years
• Closing Date: 18 September 2026 at 16:00
• Application Email: hr5@gauteng.net

Final Tips Before Applying

Before submitting your application, make sure you:

1. Update your CV to reflect your most relevant MICE, tourism, events or destination marketing experience.
2. Highlight management experience, particularly teams, projects and programmes you have led.
3. Tailor your cover letter specifically to the Manager: Bids Development role.
4. Showcase relevant achievements, such as successful bids, events secured, partnerships developed or business opportunities converted.
5. Check your qualifications and ensure certified copies are dated within the required three-month period.
6. Submit your application before 16:00 on 18 September 2026.
7. Double-check your email and attachments before sending your application.

If you meet the requirements and have extensive experience in the MICE, tourism or destination marketing environment, this GTA opportunity could be a significant career opportunity to consider.