Business Development Manager

Leap29; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Leap29 is seeking a Project Business Development Manager in California to drive growth and deployment of battery energy storage projects across PJM markets and adjacent regions. The role combines sales, origination, and stakeholder engagement to move opportunities from initial discussions through to execution.

You will build commercial proposals, model project economics, and analyze market opportunities while coordinating with utilities, developers, and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in battery energy storage, distributed energy resources, or renewable energy.
• Proven success in business development, project origination, or energy solution sales.
• Strong understanding of electricity markets, energy economics, and project development processes.
• Experience preparing commercial proposals and negotiating contracts.
• Financial modelling and project evaluation capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new opportunities for battery energy storage projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with commercial, industrial, and institutional customers.
• Lead customer engagement and manage the full sales cycle from discussions to contract execution.
• Develop commercial proposals and negotiate agreements with customers and stakeholders.
• Monitor market opportunities, evaluate project economics, and support investment decisions.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to progress development opportunities.
• Provide regular updates on project performance and pipeline development.

Skills

Business development

Project origination

Sales

Stakeholder management

Financial modelling

Market analysis

Energy industry knowledge

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Job description

I'm supporting a client based in California who are looking for a Project Business Development Manager to support in both Solar and BESS sectors operating in PJM markets.

About the Opportunity

Our client is a growing organisation operating within the energy storage sector, delivering innovative solutions that support commercial and industrial customers in improving energy performance, resilience, and sustainability.

They are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to drive the growth, sale, and deployment of battery energy storage projects across key US electricity markets.

This is a commercially focused position suited to someone with strong industry knowledge, proven sales experience, and a track record of bringing complex energy infrastructure projects from origination through to execution.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Identify and develop new opportunities for battery energy storage projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with commercial, industrial, and institutional customers.
• Lead customer engagement activities and manage the full sales cycle from initial discussions through to contract execution.
• Develop commercial proposals and negotiate agreements with customers and project stakeholders.

Market & Commercial Analysis

• Assess market opportunities and evaluate project economics.
• Develop business cases and financial models to support investment decisions.
• Analyse revenue streams, customer savings opportunities, and broader market participation mechanisms.
• Support strategic decision-making through scenario and sensitivity analysis.

Project Origination

• Evaluate potential project sites and undertake preliminary due diligence.
• Review customer energy consumption patterns and tariff structures.
• Coordinate technical assessments and support contract negotiations.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to progress development opportunities.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key point of contact for customers, utilities, consultants, regulatory bodies, and local stakeholders.
• Coordinate permitting, approvals, and compliance activities where required.
• Build collaborative relationships across all project stakeholders.

Project Delivery Support

• Monitor project progress through development stages.
• Support handover activities to engineering and delivery teams.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on project performance and pipeline development.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience within battery energy storage, distributed energy resources, renewable energy, or a related sector.
• Demonstrated success in business development, project origination, or energy solution sales.
• Strong understanding of electricity markets, energy economics, and project development processes.
• Experience preparing commercial proposals and negotiating contracts.
• Financial modelling and project evaluation capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and analytical ability.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS).
• Familiarity with energy market participation, demand management, and grid services.
• Previous experience working with energy developers, utilities, energy services providers, or infrastructure organisations.
• Knowledge of energy modelling and project evaluation tools.