Head of Business Development

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Performance-based bonus

Medical and retirement benefits

Generous annual leave

Professional development and training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Head of Business Development for the renewable energy sector in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role leads growth initiatives, negotiates major deals, and drives strategic partnerships across the region.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s degree with 10+ years in BD/strategy, strong negotiation and communication skills, and a proven track record in large-scale deal execution within energy or infrastructure. Travel across the region is required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, corporate strategy, or corporate finance with at least 5 years in leadership.
• Proven record in identifying, negotiating, and closing significant deals in energy/infrastructure.
• Deep understanding of renewable energy market dynamics, technologies, and regulatory landscape.
• Strong negotiation, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytics, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in financial modeling and business case development.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel extensively; proactive and results-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new business opportunities and strategic partnerships within the renewable energy sector.
• Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies to drive market expansion and revenue growth.
• Lead the negotiation and structuring of complex partnership agreements, joint ventures, and commercial contracts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including industry players, government agencies, and potential clients.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including legal, finance, and technical experts, to ensure successful deal execution.
• Develop compelling business cases and proposals for new initiatives and investments.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events.
• Monitor the performance of existing partnerships and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and direction of the company.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Financial modeling

Education

Master's degree (MBA/Finance/Engineering or related)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding renewable energy company, is seeking a highly motivated and strategic Head of Business Development to spearhead their growth initiatives in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga . This senior leadership role is responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and driving revenue growth within the renewable energy sector. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the energy market, a proven track record in business development and deal-making, and exceptional strategic planning and negotiation skills. You will play a critical role in shaping the company's expansion strategy and securing key alliances. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking organization at the forefront of the clean energy transition. The Head of Business Development will work closely with executive leadership, sales, and legal teams to close complex deals and drive market penetration. The position requires significant travel to meet with partners and clients across the region and potentially internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new business opportunities and strategic partnerships within the renewable energy sector.
• Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies to drive market expansion and revenue growth.
• Lead the negotiation and structuring of complex partnership agreements, joint ventures, and commercial contracts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including industry players, government agencies, and potential clients.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including legal, finance, and technical experts, to ensure successful deal execution.
• Develop compelling business cases and proposals for new initiatives and investments.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events.
• Monitor the performance of existing partnerships and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and direction of the company.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in business development, corporate strategy, or corporate finance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of success in identifying, negotiating, and closing significant business deals, preferably in the energy or infrastructure sectors.
• Deep understanding of the renewable energy market dynamics, technologies, and regulatory landscape.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in financial modeling and business case development.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel extensively as required.
• A proactive and results-oriented approach.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, with a base salary of ZAR per annum , complemented by a substantial performance-based bonus structure and potential for long-term incentives. Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits are provided, along with generous annual leave and opportunities for professional development and industry training. This role offers the unique opportunity to drive the strategic growth of a leading renewable energy company and contribute to a sustainable future. We provide a dynamic and collaborative work environment with significant career progression potential.