Business Development Director – Energy

Build the next chapter of growth across Europe

We are supporting a well-established international organisation in the appointment of a Business Development Director for its Energy division.

The business already has a strong presence and established customer relationships in parts of the Energy market. However, different markets and service areas are currently at different stages of maturity.

The next step is to create a clearer growth roadmap: strengthening the areas that are already performing well, identifying new opportunities and deciding where the organisation should focus its efforts across Europe.

This is not a position for someone who simply wants to maintain an existing portfolio. The organisation is looking for a senior commercial leader who can bring fresh ideas, challenge the current approach and help shape the future direction of the Energy business.

The opportunity

You will lead an experienced international business development team while remaining personally involved in developing new opportunities.

There are senior Business Development Managers who will report to you. You will also work closely with a small team of technical specialists who support the commercial function and help develop solutions around specific customer needs.

Your geographical scope will cover several European markets, including Portugal, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The mandate

You will join at a moment when the organisation is reviewing how it approaches growth within the Energy sector.

Some markets and customer areas are already well developed, while others still have considerable room for growth. The current roadmap is therefore not fixed. One of your first responsibilities will be to understand what is working, where the strongest opportunities exist and what may need to change.

You will be expected to assess and potentially redefine:

• The overall business development strategy for Energy.
• Which countries, customer segments and opportunities should be prioritised.
• Where the organisation is already strongly positioned and where a different approach is needed.
• How the Energy division should differentiate itself in the market.
• How the business development team should be structured, supported and led.
• How the commercial and technical teams can work together more effectively.
• Which existing customers have further growth potential.
• Where new relationships, partnerships or markets should be developed.
• How AI, data and modern tools can improve research, decision-making and business development.
• What successful growth should look like over the coming years.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an established business development leader with extensive experience in the Energy sector.

You understand the market, its key stakeholders and how decisions are made. You also know how to develop and sell complex, tailored solutions rather than standard or transactional products.

Ideally, you bring:

• Approximately 10 years or more of relevant business development experience.
• Strong knowledge of the Energy sector or critical infrastructure markets.
• Experience selling complex technology, engineering or tailored service solutions.
• International experience across multiple European markets.
• Experience leading senior business development professionals.
• A strong personal track record of developing new business and strategic accounts.
• The ability to lead a team while remaining directly involved in important opportunities.
• Experience navigating long and complex decision-making processes.
• Confidence engaging with technical stakeholders, operational leaders and executive decision-makers.
• The ability to turn customer challenges into clear and commercially relevant solutions.
• Strong commercial judgement and the confidence to prioritise the right opportunities.
• An entrepreneurial and forward-thinking mindset.
• The confidence to challenge existing approaches and introduce new ideas.
• An interest in using AI and data to improve business development and decision-making.
• Fluent English. German would be a strong advantage.
• Availability for regular travel across Europe and occasional travel outside Europe.

The mindset

The organisation is not looking for someone who is settled or comfortable simply continuing with the existing approach.

You should still have the ambition and energy to build, improve and create something new.

You are someone who:

• Takes ownership and follows through on decisions.
• Brings clarity and direction to complex situations.
• Can lead experienced people without micromanaging them.
• Is comfortable challenging senior stakeholders constructively.
• Knows when to move quickly and when a longer-term approach is required.
• Combines strategic thinking with practical commercial execution.
• Brings new ideas but first takes the time to understand the organisation and its customers.
• Remains personally involved instead of managing only from a distance.

Why consider this opportunity?

This is a senior and influential position within an established international organisation that is going through an important period of change.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Shape the future roadmap of the Energy division.
• Influence where and how the organisation grows across Europe.
• Lead an experienced international team.
• Build new markets and develop strategic customer relationships.
• Introduce new ideas and more modern ways of working.
• Work closely with technical and leadership teams.
• Combine strategic responsibility with hands-on business development.
• Make a visible impact within an organisation that is ready for its next stage of development.

The position may be based in Portugal, Germany, Austria or Switzerland and requires regular international travel.

Interested?

If you have strong Energy-sector knowledge, experience developing complex solutions and the ambition to shape an international growth strategy, we would be pleased to speak with you.

All applications and initial conversations will be treated with strict confidentiality. Further information about the organisation will be shared at the appropriate stage of the selection process. Feel free to reach out at fabienne.viegas@tech-recruitment.eu