Business Development Director - Energy at Critical Software

Critical Software; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Home office support

Extra holidays

Parental leave

Return-to-work support

Sabbatical programme

Training, mentorship, and growth

Job summary

Critical Software in Lisbon, Portugal, seeks a senior Business Development leader for the Energy domain to define and drive a clear growth strategy on-site. You will build a deep understanding of the Energy ecosystem, identify opportunities where Critical’s safety-critical expertise differentiates, and lead strategic account planning with major customers.

The role requires 10+ years in Business Development with a technical or engineering background, and travel across the EU.

Qualifications

• Requires at least 10 years in Business Development.
• Technical or engineering background paired with energy BD experience.
• Proven ability to open doors and navigate complex sales cycles.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive a focused BD strategy for the Energy domain.
• Build deep understanding of the Energy ecosystem and opportunities.
• Develop and prioritize market opportunities where Critical Software differentiates.
• Forge long-lasting relationships with energy sector stakeholders, executives included.
• Lead strategic account planning and long-term client growth initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering, delivery and leadership to shape value propositions.
• Lead complex, consultative sales cycles from discussions to closure.
• Act as a reference point for Energy BD within Critical Software.
• Represent the company at executive meetings and industry events.

Skills

Business Development

Energy sector experience

Strategic deal making

Stakeholder management

English communication

Travel readiness

Leadership & influence

AI in BD

Education

Engineering background

MBA (desirable)

Job description

Lisboa, P11, PT

This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Define and drive a clear, focused business development strategy for the Energy domain, aligned with Critical Software's long‑term vision
• Build and maintain a deep, up‑to‑date understanding of the Energy ecosystem
• Select, prioritise and develop market opportunities where Critical's safety‑critical expertise creates genuine differentiation
• Build strong, long‑lasting relationships with key stakeholders across the Energy sector, from operational leaders to executive decision‑makers, acting as a trusted partner rather than a transactional supplier
• Lead strategic account planning and long‑term client growth initiatives with selected customers
• Work closely with engineering, delivery and leadership teams to shape credible value propositions and proposals
• Lead complex, consultative sales cycles from early strategic discussions through to negotiation and deal closure
• Act as a reference point for Energy business development inside Critical, helping align leadership, engineering and delivery teams around shared priorities and opportunities
• Represent Critical Software with clarity and confidence at executive‑level meetings, industry events and strategic customer engagements

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• At least 10 years of experience in Business Development
• Significant technical or engineering background, paired with solid experience in business development within the Energy sector
• Proven ability to open doors, shape strategic deals, and navigate complex sales cycles and commercial landscapes with confidence
• A technically grounded leader who can drive business through credibility
• Consultative, relationship‑driven approach, comfortable engaging with senior and C‑level stakeholders
• Clear, confident communicator in English, with strong influence and negotiation skills
• Strategic mindset, resilience and a high sense of ownershipOpenness to travel and to represent Critical Software in key industry moments
• Commitment to embark upon regular EU travel and occasional wider travel outside EU
• Leads by example in leveraging AI tools to drive business development outcomes, inspiring the team to embrace new ways of working.

HOW YOU CAN INSPIRE

You make hard calls quickly and with autonomy, taking decisions at your level rather than pushing every one upward, and you own what follows

You focus effort where it actually matters and step away from the opportunities that are not right for Critical, rather than chasing every deal

You see AI as the biggest shift of this generation and you act on it. You reshape how business development itself works with AI, you do not just adopt the tools, and you raise the bar for everyone around you

You communicate with clarity and honesty, without ambiguity

You bring urgency and positive energy in equal measure.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Private health insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme (mental health, legal, financial support)
• Home office support
• Extra holidays: 2 additional days after year one, more as time goes on
• Extra parental leave: 2 additional months fully paid
• Gradual return-to-work support: We'll help you ease back from long breaks
• Sabbatical programme for long‑term employees
• Training, mentorship, and growth opportunities: we'll invest in where you want to go next

ABOUT CRITICAL SOFTWARE

Every day we work on missions across industries as diverse as aerospace, space, defence, transport, telecoms, government, energy, finance, and healthcare. Building better and safer isn't a slogan. It's how we show up in the world.

Critical Software is a proud Benefit Corporation: a for-profit business legally committed to positive impact on society, workers, the community, and the environment — in addition to profit.

We are an equal opportunity workplace.

If you need any adjustment in your recruitment process to show us what you can do, please let us know.

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