Senior Business Development Manager – Renewable Energy

Equate Recruitment; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Equate Recruitment is seeking a commercially ambitious Business Development Manager in Johannesburg for a leading renewable-energy EPC firm. You will originate and close multi-MW projects across solar PV, BESS and related tech, building relationships with executives and engineers, translating technical requirements into strong commercial propositions.

The role requires a proven track record in new-business development, the ability to work independently, travel regularly to client sites, and to

Qualifications

• Proven track record generating own new-business opportunities.
• Demonstrable success against sales and revenue targets.
• Experience selling complex, high-value B2B solutions.
• Strong commercial acumen from prospecting to close.
• Established network within relevant commercial markets.
• Credibility to engage senior decision-makers.
• Strong negotiation, presentation and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into a compelling commercial proposition.
• High levels of initiative, accountability and self-management.
• Competitive, results-oriented mindset with team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and originate new business opportunities across markets.
• Build and manage a qualified pipeline of prospective customers and projects.
• Develop relationships with business owners, executives, CFOs, operations leaders, engineers and other decision-makers.
• Conduct initial client engagements to understand energy requirements and commercial objectives.
• Gather information for engineering and technical teams to develop solutions.
• Collaborate with engineering and commercial teams on technically and financially compelling proposals.
• Present and sell solar, energy and storage solutions to customers.
• Manage the commercial process from engagement to contract signature.
• Develop commercial solutions including outright purchase, PPAs and hybrid models.
• Maintain strong client relationships post-contract and during delivery.
• Identify opportunities for add-on projects and ongoing account development.
• Maintain accurate pipeline visibility, forecasts and activity reporting.

Skills

New-business development

Solution selling

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Relationship management

Technical translation

Self-management

Industry network

MW/MWh project sales

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and originate new business opportunities across the commercial, industrial and agricultural markets.
• Build and manage a qualified pipeline of prospective customers and projects.
• Develop relationships with business owners, executives, CFOs, operations leaders, engineers and other key decision-makers.
• Conduct initial client engagements to understand energy requirements, operational challenges and commercial objectives.
• Gather the information required for the internal engineering and technical teams to develop appropriate solutions.
• Work closely with engineering and commercial teams to develop technically and financially compelling proposals.
• Present and sell proposed solar, energy and storage solutions to customers.
• Manage the commercial process from initial engagement through proposal, negotiation and contract signature.
• Develop appropriate commercial solutions, which may include outright purchase, funded/PPA structures and hybrid energy models.
• Maintain strong client relationships following contract award and project delivery.
• Identify opportunities for additional projects, services, maintenance agreements and ongoing account development.
• Maintain accurate pipeline visibility, forecasts and activity reporting.
• Represent the company professionally at client meetings, industry engagements and relevant networking opportunities.

Candidate Profile

We are interested in candidates who can demonstrate a successful track record in new-business development and solution selling, ideally within solar PV, BESS, renewable energy or a related technical environment.

You should offer:

• A proven track record of generating your own new-business opportunities, rather than relying primarily on inbound leads.
• Demonstrable success against sales and revenue targets.
• Experience selling complex, technical or high-value B2B solutions.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to take opportunities from initial prospecting through to close.
• An established network within relevant commercial markets or a demonstrated ability to develop one.
• The credibility and communication skills to engage effectively with senior decision-makers.
• Strong negotiation, presentation and relationship-management skills.
• The ability to understand technical concepts and translate them into a compelling commercial proposition.
• High levels of initiative, accountability and self-management.
• A competitive, results-oriented mindset combined with the ability to work effectively as part of a technical and commercial team.
• A stable career history and demonstrable commitment to previous employers.

Highly Advantageous Experience

Direct experience in one or more of the following would be particularly valuable:

• Commercial & Industrial solar PV
• Multi-MW solar projects
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Solar EPC
• Electrical engineering or infrastructure solutions
• Energy efficiency or energy management
• Agricultural energy solutions
• Commercial farming and agri-processing
• Industrial or heavy-industry solution sales
• Power purchase agreements (PPAs) and funded energy solutions
• Large capital equipment or infrastructure sales

For experienced renewable-energy candidates, exposure to large C & I and multi-MW projects and the ability to demonstrate MW/MWh and Rand value personally originated or closed will be particularly attractive.

Alternative High-Potential Profile

The company is also prepared to consider a strong developing Business Development Manager who may not yet have extensive solar experience.

To be considered on this basis, you would need to demonstrate an exceptional track record in new-business development within an adjacent technical sector, strong commercial relationships, the ability to learn complex technical solutions quickly and clear potential to develop into a senior renewable-energy business developer.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this position will be measured by your ability to:

• Generate new opportunities independently.
• Build a sustainable, qualified project pipeline.
• Convert relationships and opportunities into commercially viable projects.
• Consistently achieve agreed revenue and sales targets.
• Develop long-term relationships that generate repeat and additional business.
• Become a trusted commercial representative of the organisation in the market.

Working Environment

This is an autonomous, customer-facing business development position requiring regular travel to clients and project opportunities.

The team meets at the Johannesburg office on Monday mornings to review opportunities, priorities and activity for the week. Outside of this, the role requires significant time in the market developing relationships and progressing opportunities.

Remuneration

The remuneration package is market-related and will be structured according to the successful candidate's experience, existing earnings and proven sales performance.

The company is prepared to pay competitively for candidates who can substantiate a strong sales record, with performance-based earning potential forming an important part of the overall package.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss and substantiate their:

• Current remuneration and commission structure
• Sales targets and actual achievement
• Revenue/value of business personally closed
• Major projects or contracts secured
• Role in originating and closing those opportunities

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially ambitious business developer to join an established renewable-energy EPC and play a direct role in its next phase of growth.