Senior Business Developer

Talent Recruitment & Consulting; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

The Client, a Pretoria-based commercial and industrial solar EPC, seeks a Senior Business Developer to own relationships, win R10m+ opportunities and lead solar PV and BESS deals with major clients across Southern Africa.

You will nurture high-value pipelines, structure capex, rental or PPA deals, engage funders early and coach junior teammates while expanding in agriculture, property, industry and mining sectors.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in commerce, engineering or agriculture.
• 5+ years' B2B solution sales with 3+ years in C&I solar, BESS or energy services.
• Proven record of closing deals of R10m+ and managing key accounts.
• Established network of senior decision-makers in agriculture, property, industry or mining.
• Experience with PPA, rental and funder processes.
• Understanding of project economics including payback, IRR and cost per kWh.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow key client relationships across agriculture, commercial property, industrial and mining sectors.
• Expand existing accounts with additional sites, expansions, BESS add-ons and upgrades.
• Open new opportunities of R10m+ through a personal network of senior decision-makers, consultants, developers, funders and partners.
• Structure deals as capex, rental or PPA and engage funders early.
• Map the full decision path within each client organisation, including boards and investment committees.
• Present the financial case in person to decision-makers (savings, payback, IRR and risk) before CAPEX.
• Negotiate within approved limits while protecting project net profit.
• Maintain an account plan and CRM forecasts with stage, close date, probability, margin and risk.
• Coach junior developers and escalate or co-own the R10m+ leads.

Skills

B2B sales

Solar energy

Key accounts

Education

Commerce or engineering degree

Tools

CRM software

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Senior Business Developer

Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, with national travel
Reports to: Commercial Manager
Department: Commercial
Employment type: Permanent

Role Purpose

Own the relationships. Open the R10m+ opportunities. The Client, a commercial and industrial solar EPC, is looking for a Senior Business Developer to lead its larger clients and its solar PV and battery energy storage (BESS) opportunities of R10m and above.

About The Client

The Client is a commercial and industrial solar EPC based in Pretoria, Gauteng. It designs, builds, finances and maintains solar PV and battery energy storage (BESS) systems for commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining and property clients across Southern Africa, helping them reduce electricity costs and keep operating through load-shedding and outages.
The commercial department is growing, and this is an opportunity to help build it. The culture is positive, fast paced and energetic, and it is built on great values and genuine respect for people.

The Role

This is the Senior Business Developer role for The Client's larger clients and for solar PV and BESS opportunities of R10m and above. You will have key client relationships, win new relationships and opportunities, and grow existing accounts through additional sites, expansions and BESS add-ons. Your primary focus will be opening new R10m+ opportunities through your personal network of decisionmakers, consultants, developers, funders and partners.
Your customers span agriculture, multi-site commercial property groups, industry and mining. You will manage a high-value pipeline, revenue, project net profit and a portfolio of key accounts, structuring deals like capex, rental or PPA and engaging funders early.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Own and grow key client relationships across the agriculture, commercial property, industrial and mining sectors.
• Expand existing accounts through additional sites, expansions, BESS add-ons and upgrades.
• Open new opportunities of R10m and above through a personal network of senior decisionmakers, consultants, developers, funders and partners.
• Structure deals as capex, rental or PPA and engage funders early in the process.
• Map the full decision path within each client organisation, including boards and investment committees.
• Analyse Eskom and municipal tariffs, load profiles and demand profiles to build the commercial case.
• Present the financial case in person to decisionmakers (savings, payback, IRR and risk) before CAPEX.
• Negotiate within approved limits while protecting project net profit.
• Maintain an account plan for each key client and accurate CRM forecasts covering stage, close date, probability, margin and risk.
• Coach Junior Business Developers and takeover or co-own the R10m+ leads to what they source, protecting their source credit.
• Work closely with Presales engineers, Finance, Legal, Operations and O&M through delivery.
• Keep every client promise and represent The Client credibly at senior level.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant diploma or degree (commercial, engineering or agriculture)
• 5+ years' B2B solution sales experience, including 3+ years in C&I solar, BESS or energy services.
• Proven record of closing deals of R10m and above and managing key accounts.
• Established network of senior decisionmakers in agriculture, property, industry or mining.
• Experience with PPA, rental and funder processes.
• Working knowledge of electricity tariffs, load profiles and SSEG/NERSA approval processes.
• Understanding of project economics, including payback, IRR and cost per kWh.
• Strong negotiation skills and sound commercial judgement.
• Degree or diploma in commerce, engineering or energy advantageous.
• CRM, Excel, forecasting and presentation skills.
• Valid driver's license and own vehicle; English and Afrikaans.

Work environment and conditions

• Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, with national travel
• Valid driver's license and own vehicle required

Why you will love working here

• A positive, energetic team.
• Values and respect.
• A department that is growing.
• Real ownership at senior level.
• Big opportunities.
• Lead and develop others.
• Strong support around you.
• Work that matters.

Applications

The Client is an equal opportunity employer and supports employment equity. Your personal information will be processed in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and used only for this recruitment process.