Head of Business Development - BESS

Climate17; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering company in the energy sector is seeking a Head of Business Development to lead initiatives in building partnerships with municipal utilities and securing land for clean energy projects. This crucial role aims to support the decarbonization of the energy sector, leveraging technical expertise and strong communication skills to engage with decision-makers. The ideal candidate will have experience with district heating networks and a willingness to travel, with fluency in both German and English essential for success.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of municipal utilities (Stadtwerke)
• Understanding of energy sector challenges
• Fluency in both German and English

Responsibilities

• Establish partnerships with municipal utilities
• Identify land acquisition opportunities for projects
• Develop strategies for decarbonizing heating networks

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Problem-Solving

Education

Engineering background

Job description

Head of Business Development

Our client is a pioneering company in the energy sector, having been at the forefront of large-scale battery storage project development since 2016, with a long-standing history in solar farms. The mission is to build the energy infrastructure of the future, particularly across German-speaking countries. They focus on integrating electricity and heat generation and storage, while also supporting medium-sized utilities in decarbonizing their power, heat, and water treatment systems.
To support their continued growth, we are looking for motivated professionals to join the team in Berlin.

Your Role
We are seeking a driven, entrepreneurial business development manager to lead initiatives in two core areas:

1. Building Partnerships with Municipal Utilities: You will seek out and establish partnerships with municipal utilities (Stadtwerke) and district heating network operators to help electrify their heating systems. You'll identify ways in which our company can support them by developing, constructing, and/or financing projects that involve technologies such as electrical boilers, heat pumps, and heat storage.
2. Securing Land for Clean Energy Projects: You will be responsible for identifying and negotiating with large landowners to secure sites for clean heat assets and battery storage projects, contributing to the growth of our development portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leverage your market knowledge and collaborate with the team to shape our company’s new strategy for decarbonizing district heating networks and offering multi-technology solutions.
• Use data analysis and networking abilities to identify and approach suitable municipal utilities for partnership opportunities.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with municipal utility leaders, guiding discussions toward formal partnership agreements.
• Identify and propose land acquisition opportunities, negotiating terms with landowners to secure key sites for our projects.

What We’re Looking For:

• Expertise in Municipal Utilities: In-depth knowledge of municipal utilities (Stadtwerke) and an understanding of the challenges municipalities face.
• Technical and Economic Acumen: A solid grasp of the technical and financial aspects of the energy sector (an engineering background is a plus).
• District Heating Experience: Experience with district heating networks, either within municipal utilities or as a consultant/service provider, is highly desirable.
• Strong Communication and Leadership: Confidence and communication skills to engage with senior decision-makers and establish yourself as a trusted partner.
• Problem-Solving Mindset: A collaborative approach that listens to stakeholder needs and develops tailored solutions.
• Willingness to Travel: Flexibility to travel as needed to build relationships and develop projects across regions.
• Language Skills: Fluency in both German and English is essential.

About Us
Climate17 is a purpose-led, international Renewable Energy & Sustainability recruitment firm. We provide specialist talent acquisition services to organisations seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, as well as those working towards the decarbonisation of the energy sector. Inclusive Application Process Climate17 is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We believe there is no solution to climate change without people. We aim to increase diversity across all areas and as such, we are committed to partnering with clients and candidates to create an inclusive and sustainable regenerative world.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability. If you require additional support, equipment or resources in order to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know.