Operations Lead - Business Development

Placements24; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonus

Stock options

Health and wellness benefits

Laptop and mobile phone

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Operations Lead for a pioneering renewable energy startup based in Centurion, Gauteng. The role focuses on identifying growth opportunities, forging partnerships, and shaping scalable operations to support rapid expansion.

You will collaborate with senior leaders to translate strategy into concrete programs, manage cross-functional teams, oversee budgets, and deliver compelling business cases to investors. Relocation to Centurion is welcome for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• MBA or related master’s degree required.
• 7+ years of experience in operations management, business development, or strategic planning.
• Strong understanding of renewable energy market trends.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities and market segments for expansion.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to support business development initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, partners, and clients.
• Oversee operational aspects of new ventures from planning to launch.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform strategy.
• Optimize operational processes for efficiency and profitability.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and engineering to meet objectives.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources for BD activities.
• Develop and present business cases to senior management and investors.
• Ensure readiness for scaling the business.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Negotiation

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration or Engineering

Tools

Financial modeling

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering startup in the renewable energy sector, is seeking a highly motivated and strategic Operations Lead to spearhead their business development initiatives. Based in **Centurion**, this role demands a proactive individual with exceptional operational acumen and a passion for driving sustainable growth. You will be instrumental in identifying new market opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and optimizing the operational frameworks to support expansion. This is a ground-level opportunity to shape the operational direction of a company poised for significant impact. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of strategic thinking, strong execution capabilities, and a deep understanding of the energy market. You will work closely with senior leadership to translate business vision into tangible operational realities, ensuring our client remains at the forefront of the industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities and market segments for expansion.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to support business development initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and clients.
• Oversee the operational aspects of new ventures, from initial planning to successful launch.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
• Optimize existing operational processes to enhance efficiency and profitability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and engineering, to achieve business objectives.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources for business development activities.
• Develop and present business cases and proposals to senior management and potential investors.
• Ensure operational readiness for scaling the business.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in operations management, business development, or strategic planning.
• Proven experience in identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities.
• Strong understanding of the renewable energy sector and market trends.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage effective partnerships.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and business case development.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
• Based in or willing to relocate to **Centurion**, **Gauteng**.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with a significant performance-based bonus.
• Opportunity to be a key player in a high-growth industry.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous pension fund contribution.
• Stock options in a rapidly scaling company.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture.
• Potential for rapid career advancement.
• Company-provided laptop and mobile phone.
• Annual performance reviews with salary adjustments.