Job Description

We are looking for a hands-on Head of Business Development to lead the growth of our commercial and industrial solar PV and battery energy storage pipeline in South Africa, with a particular focus on agriculture and agribusiness.

This is a head-of-department role for a senior hunter who knows the market, knows the decision-makers, and knows how to convert relationships into signed projects. You will be responsible for opening doors, building trust with customers and partners, shaping commercially viable solutions, and taking opportunities from first engagement through proposal, negotiation and signature.

You will work closely with technical, finance, legal and delivery teams to ensure every project brought into the business is executable, profitable and aligned with our long-term growth strategy.

What you will own

• Build, qualify and continuously manage a strong pipeline of C&I solar PV and BESS opportunities, with priority focus on agriculture, agribusiness and other energy-intensive sectors.
• Originate new projects through direct outreach, relationship-led business development, strategic account management, referral channels and market networking.
• Identify the right decision-makers and influencers within target customers and build senior, trust-based relationships that lead to new project opportunities.
• Lead the front-end commercial cycle from first engagement through qualification, solution shaping, proposal strategy, commercial negotiation, contract close and internal handover.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, project development, finance, legal and operations teams to structure technically sound, commercially robust and bankable solutions.
• Position the right commercial model for each opportunity, including EPC, PPA, lease, funded or hybrid energy solutions.
• Maintain excellent CRM discipline, accurate forecasting and clear reporting on pipeline stage, value, probability, risks and next steps.
• Represent the business at industry events, client meetings, partner engagements and sector forums to strengthen market presence and generate repeat business.
• Build and improve the business development function as a department, including pipeline hygiene, account prioritisation, commercial standards and, over time, team capability.

What we are looking for

• 8+ years of experience in business development, commercial leadership, origination or technical sales.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in commercial and industrial solar PV and battery energy storage.
• Proven success in originating and closing complex B2B energy deals with long sales cycles.
• Strong existing network in South Africa, ideally across both C&I buyers and agriculture / agribusiness decision-makers.
• Experience working in an EPC, IPP, ESCO, developer, funded-energy or comparable project-based energy environment.
• Strong understanding of solar PV, battery storage and the commercial logic behind long-term energy solutions.
• Experience structuring and negotiating EPC, PPA, lease, energy-as-a-service or similar commercial models.
• Ability to engage credibly at owner, executive and board level, while also working effectively with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen, including the ability to discuss ROI, savings, tariff impact, resilience, capital allocation and project viability in clear business language.
• Demonstrated discipline in pipeline management, follow-up, prioritisation and opportunity progression.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposals, presentations and negotiation documents.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, Economics or a related field.

Highly advantageous

• Existing relationships in farming, agribusiness, packhouses, aquaculture, wine estates or related sectors.
• Track record in projects measured in MW, MWh, signed contract value or revenue delivered.
• Exposure to funded energy solutions, wheeling, multi-site portfolios or complex hybrid solutions.
• Experience working with consulting engineers, EPC partners, landlords, financiers or other referral channels.
• Postgraduate qualification in business, finance or engineering.

What success looks like

• A healthy and growing pipeline of qualified opportunities.
• Consistent conversion of strategic opportunities into signed projects.
• Visible expansion of the client base in agriculture and other target C&I segments.
• Accurate forecasting and disciplined CRM management.
• Strong commercial judgement and clean internal handover into development and execution.
• Revenue growth that is both ambitious and executable.