An established renewable energy business is looking for a driven Sales Lead / Executive to support the growth of its offtaker pipeline across South Africa and the broader SAPP region.
This is a true business development and client acquisition role. The focus is on identifying, approaching and building relationships with large energy users who may benefit from renewable energy and BESS solutions.
You will be responsible for opening doors, creating opportunities and qualifying potential offtakers before handing them over to the internal deal team for PPA discussions, structuring and execution.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being in front of clients, building networks, attending industry events and actively pursuing new business. It will suit a self-starter who is comfortable managing their own pipeline, travel schedule and client engagement strategy with minimal supervision.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will be responsible for:
- Proactively identifying and approaching potential offtakers across South Africa and the SAPP region
- Building relationships with corporates, industrial businesses, mining companies, municipalities, agricultural businesses and other large energy consumers
- Engaging with key decision-makers, including CFOs, energy managers, procurement heads and sustainability leads
- Leveraging your existing network, while also actively creating new relationships through cold outreach, referrals, events and direct engagement
- Attending industry events, trade shows, networking forums and client meetings to generate new opportunities
- Maintaining a well-organised prospect pipeline and updating CRM systems
- Sharing market intelligence around client needs, competitor activity, pricing trends and emerging opportunities
- Coordinating introductory meetings and handovers to the internal deal team once leads are qualified
- Representing the business professionally in client-facing discussions
What This Role Is Not
This is not a project finance, legal or delivery role.
You will not be responsible for negotiating PPAs, drafting contracts, managing financial close, handling lender processes, trading on wholesale markets, or managing project execution. Once a lead is qualified and ready to progress, the internal commercial and deal teams will take over.
The core focus of this role is client acquisition, lead generation and relationship management.
What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will have:
- At least 3 years’ experience in sales, business development, client acquisition or relationship management
- A proven track record of generating leads and winning new business
- Strong outbound sales ability, with the confidence to approach new clients directly
- An existing network within corporates, industrials, mining, agriculture, municipalities or large energy consumers — or a clear ability to build this network quickly
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- The confidence to engage senior decision-makers and build trusted relationships
- A self-managed, independent working style
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a pipeline effectively
- A valid driver’s licence and reliable vehicle
- Willingness to travel regularly within South Africa and, when required, into the broader SAPP region
- Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal
- Good working knowledge of MS Office and comfort using CRM tools
Advantageous Experience
The following would be beneficial, but is not essential:
- Experience in renewable energy, solar PV, wind, BESS or energy trading
- Exposure to the C&I energy market
- Understanding of PPAs, wheeling or private energy offtake structures
- Existing relationships with large energy users in South Africa or neighbouring SAPP countries
- Previous sales experience into mining, industrial, infrastructure, telecoms, facilities management or other large commercial sectors