Virtual Sales Executive – Virtual Products

SolarAfrica Energy Pty Ltd; Irene; On-site; ZAR 50,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading renewable energy company in South Africa is seeking a Virtual Sales Executive to develop and close sales opportunities for virtual power solutions. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the energy market and a proven track record in sales, particularly in wheeling and large-scale agreements. This role involves engaging with clients and stakeholders, negotiating contracts, and contributing to the company’s growth in the C&I sector.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Travel allowances

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in energy sales or related infrastructure sectors.
• Proven track record in closing high-value deals in the energy sector.
• Strong understanding of South Africa’s energy market and regulatory environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop a pipeline of new business opportunities.
• Negotiate and close energy supply agreements.
• Engage with corporate clients, municipalities, and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Energy sales experience

Stakeholder management

Strong commercial acumen

Excellent communication skills

Proficient in MS Office

Tools

HubSpot Sales

Salesforce

Job description

The Virtual Sales Executive will be responsible for identifying, developing, and closing sales opportunities related to Virtual power solutions for commercial and industrial (C&I) clients. The role requires a strong understanding of the South African electricity market, wheeling frameworks, and energy trading models.

Position of the job in the organisation: The successful candidate will report to the Virtual Sales Manager.

Principal responsibilities:

• Identify and develop a robust pipeline of new business opportunities for wheeling and large-scale energy supply agreements.
• Engage with key stakeholders, including corporate clients, municipalities, Eskom, and regulatory bodies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential customers to promote SolarAfrica Energy’s Utility.
• Develop tailored proposals and presentations based on client energy needs and financial objectives.
• Negotiate and close complex energy supply agreements, ensuring profitability and long-term partnership value.
• Collaborate closely with technical, legal, and finance teams to ensure feasibility and compliance of proposed solutions.
• Monitor market trends, policy updates, and competitor activity to identify opportunities and inform strategy.
• Represent SolarAfrica Energy at industry events, conferences, and client meetings.
• Provide regular sales forecasts, reports, and pipeline updates to senior management.
• Support solution design and structuring for virtual PPA, aggregation, or energy trading propositions in alignment with regulatory limits and customer demand patterns
• Any other job duties associated with this role

PERSON DESCRIPTION

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in energy sales, renewable energy, or related infrastructure sectors.
• Proven track record of closing high-value deals in the energy sector (wheeling or PPA sales experience highly advantageous).
• Strong understanding of South Africa’s energy market, regulatory environment, and grid wheeling mechanisms.
• Proficient in MS PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel, and Microsoft Projects – software literate.
• Valid driver's license and willing to travel.

Specific attributes:

• Deep understanding of the South African electricity market, including Eskom and municipal frameworks.
• Knowledge of ERP/CRM/Software, ideally HubSpot Sales or Salesforce.
• Ability to use Google Maps effectively.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with the ability to build and interpret business cases.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Highly driven, self-motivated, and results oriented.
• Ability to build and interpret financial models for virtual energy products, including cost of supply, margin, and risk pricing.

Desirable attributes:

• Experience working in wheeling or energy trading projects.
• Technical knowledge of renewable energy systems (solar PV, battery storage, grid integration).
• Understanding of market mechanisms underpinning aggregation and trading, including bilateral wheeling, balancing markets, and energy scheduling
• Experience or familiarity with virtual power platform tools, energy scheduling systems, or trading dashboards is advantageous

What Success Looks Like?

By 3 Months

• I will have a solid understanding of SolarAfrica’s wheeling products, regulatory frameworks, internal processes, and commercial offering.
• I will be able to clearly articulate the value proposition of wheeling to clients and stakeholders.
• I can identify and qualify key prospects across the commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors.
• I will have built initial relationships with potential customers, municipalities, and Eskom contacts.
• I can confidently navigate internal systems and work collaboratively with technical and legal teams.

By 6 Months

• I will be actively managing a qualified pipeline of wheeling opportunities at various stages of the sales cycle.
• I can present tailored proposals that meet client-specific needs and regulatory requirements.
• I will have advanced at least one high-value opportunity to the final negotiation or contracting phase.
• I will be able to identify and mitigate key risks in proposed deals, with support from internal teams.
• I will be viewed as a reliable commercial partner by both clients and internal stakeholders.

By 12 Months

• I will have closed multiple signed wheeling agreements that contribute significantly to sales targets.
• I will be able to demonstrate measurable growth in SolarAfrica’s wheeling market share.
• I can leverage market intelligence and client feedback to refine sales strategies and solution offerings.
• I will be known in the industry as a go-to contact for corporate Utility.
• I will be helping shape SolarAfrica’s long-term wheeling roadmap through market feedback and strategic insight.

Core Values:

We hire, reward, and recognise our team against these values. It is imperative that you believe in these values and demonstrate them consistently.

• We are passionate and proud of what we do.
• We communicate candidly, especially when it is difficult.
• We take the initiative, share our mistakes, and grow together.
• We are dependable and take accountability.
• No one person is bigger than the solution - no egos.