Business Development Director
| Company: | Mitie |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | S41 9QJ |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 13 Jul 2026 |
| Closing date: | 12 Aug 2026 |
Summary
Mitie Power & Grid brings together three ICP business units—G2 Energy, ESM Power, and Rock Power Connections—alongside Custom Solar, the UK's leading behind-the-meter solar PV installer. With over 400 specialist professionals across our ICP and solar teams—and access to thousands more engineering experts within Mitie—we are one of the UK's largest and most experienced providers of grid connection and renewable energy services. We offer a comprehensive suite of specialist services across grid application, design, equipment procurement, installation, testing, commissioning and ongoing operations and maintenance. Our focus is on supporting decarbonisation through projects including utility-scale solar, wind, battery energy storage (BESS), and EV infrastructure.
We are looking for a Business Development Director to join our Custom Solar business. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future growth of one of the UK's most ambitious renewable energy businesses. As part of Mitie Group, you will have access to a broad customer base, significant market reach and the opportunity to lead the development of some of the UK's most exciting solar and battery storage projects while building a high-performing commercial team and accelerating the UK's journey to net zero.
Location: Chesterfield - UK Wide (Hybrid with regular travel to clients, partners, Mitie offices and project sites)
Reporting To
Managing Director / Head of Renewables
Direct Reports
Team of approximately 6 across:
· Business Development Managers
· Key Account Managers
· Project Development Managers
· Future growth resources within Origination and Strategic Partnerships
About Custom Solar
Custom Solar, part of the Mitie Group, is one of the UK's leading renewable energy EPC businesses, delivering solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), carports and wider renewable energy solutions across the commercial, industrial and public sectors.
Our ambition is to accelerate the UK's transition to a low-carbon future through the development and delivery of high-quality renewable energy projects. We are seeking an exceptional Business Development Director to lead our growth strategy, expand our market presence and develop a market-leading pipeline of opportunities across the UK.
Role Purpose
The Business Development Director will be responsible for leading the commercial growth agenda for Custom Solar, developing and executing a robust sales and origination strategy that delivers sustainable, profitable growth.
The role will drive the development of a high-quality pipeline across:
· Rooftop Solar PV
· Ground Mount Solar
· Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
· Solar Carports
· Private Wire Solutions
· Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
· Renewable Energy Frameworks
Working closely with the wider Mitie business, external partners, consultants, developers, investors and customers, the successful candidate will create, develop and convert opportunities from origination through to contract award.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
· Develop and implement the Business Development strategy aligned to the company's Annual Operating Plan (AOP).
· Lead the company's market-facing growth activities across all renewable technologies.
· Identify emerging market opportunities, regulatory developments and sector trends.
· Build a multi-year sales pipeline capable of supporting the company's revenue and profitability targets.
· Contribute to executive and board-level forecasting and strategic planning.
Sales Leadership
· Lead, coach and develop a team of Business Development, Key Account and Project Development professionals.
· Establish clear performance objectives, sales targets and account growth plans.
· Drive a culture of accountability, customer focus and commercial excellence.
· Conduct regular pipeline reviews and forecast meetings.
· Support major bids, negotiations and strategic customer engagements.
Origination & Project Development
· Originate renewable energy opportunities directly with:
o Commercial & Industrial customers
o Retail portfolios
o Logistics and warehousing operators
o Manufacturing businesses
o Property owners
o Public sector organisations
o Data centres
o Infrastructure owners
· Develop opportunities from early-stage conception through to contract execution.
· Create strategic routes to market across solar and battery storage sectors.
· Identify and secure long-term framework agreements and preferred supplier arrangements.
PPA & Strategic Partnerships
· Develop and manage relationships with:
o PPA providers
o Infrastructure funds
o Investors
o Developers
o Energy suppliers
o Financing partners
· Create and expand strategic partnerships capable of accelerating project deployment.
· Structure innovative commercial solutions including:
o Corporate PPAs
o Funded solar models
o Private wire schemes
o Asset finance solutions
o Energy-as-a-Service offerings
Key Account Management
· Develop executive-level relationships with strategic clients.
· Drive repeat business opportunities and long-term account growth.
· Create account development plans across major customers.
· Act as executive sponsor for critical customer relationships.
Land & Grid Origination
· Support early-stage project development activities including:
o DNO engagement
o Grid capacity enquiries
o Landlord engagement
o Development agreements
o Site acquisition opportunities
o Lease negotiations
o Planning and development coordination
· Work closely with internal technical teams to maintain development momentum.
Mitie Collaboration
· Leverage the wider Mitie customer base to generate renewable energy opportunities.
· Build strong relationships across:
o Facilities Management
o Engineering
o Projects
o Decarbonisation
o Energy Services
o Public Sector teams
· Establish joint growth plans with key Mitie stakeholders.
· Maximise cross-selling opportunities across strategic accounts.
CRM, Forecasting & Reporting
· Ensure Salesforce remains accurate, current and reflective of the active pipeline.
· Maintain robust forecasting disciplines across all opportunities.
· Provide monthly forecast updates and KPI reporting.
· Monitor:
o Pipeline value
o Conversion ratios
o Win rates
o Revenue forecasts
o Margin forecasts
o Sector performance
o Sales productivity
· Deliver high-quality reporting for SLT, MBRs and Board reviews.
Key Deliverables
The Business Development Director will be expected to:
· Build and maintain a robust multi-year pipeline.
· Deliver annual sales and revenue targets.
· Increase framework agreements and strategic partnerships.
· Expand key account penetration.
· Grow PPA and funded project opportunities.
· Improve forecast accuracy and CRM discipline.
· Develop a high-performing and commercially focused business development team.
· Strengthen Custom Solar's market position as a leading UK solar EPC provider.
Experience Required
Essential
· Significant experience in solar, battery storage, energy infrastructure or renewable energy markets.
· Proven track record of delivering large-scale sales growth within an EPC, developer, investor or energy services environment.
· Experience leading high-performing commercial teams.
· Strong network across renewable energy markets.
· Demonstrable success securing major framework agreements and strategic accounts.
· Experience with corporate PPAs, renewable energy finance structures and project development.
· Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills.
· Experience using Salesforce CRM and sales forecasting tools.
Desirable
· Experience within Solar EPC.
· Experience with BESS development and deployment.
· Understanding of DNO processes and grid applications.
· Knowledge of planning and development processes.
· Familiarity with public sector procurement frameworks.
· Existing network across UK commercial and industrial energy users.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for an individual who is:
· Entrepreneurial and growth orientated.
· Highly commercial and financially astute.
· Strategic whilst remaining delivery focused.
· A strong relationship builder at executive level.
· Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
· Highly credible with customers, partners and investors.
· Collaborative, energetic and inspiring.
· Passionate about accelerating the UK's renewable energy transition.
Measures of Success
· Annual Order Intake Target
· Pipeline Growth (£)
· Gross Margin Performance
· Forecast Accuracy
· PPA Partnership Growth
· Framework Agreement Wins
· Key Account Revenue Growth
· Team Development & Engagement
· Salesforce Data Quality
· Mitie Opportunity Conversion
· Customer Retention & Repeat Business
· Strategic Sector Penetration
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