Business Development Director - Custom Solar

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.

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)

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.

Business Development Director will be responsible for leading the commercial growth for Custom Solar, developing and executing a robust sales and origination strategy that delivers sustainable, profitable growth. You will drive the development of a high-quality pipeline across:

• Ground Mount Solar
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

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.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of Business Development, Key Account and Project Development professionals (team of 6).
• 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:

• Logistics and warehousing operators
• Manufacturing businesses
• Property owners
• Public sector organisations
• 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:

• PPA providers
• Infrastructure funds
• Investors
• Developers
• Energy suppliers

Create and expand strategic partnerships capable of accelerating project deployment.

Structure innovative commercial solutions including:

• Corporate PPAs
• Funded solar models
• Asset finance solutions
• Energy‑as‑a‑Service offerings

Key Account Management

• Develop executive‑level relationships with strategic clients.
• Drive repeat business opportunities and long‑term account growth.
• Act as executive sponsor for critical customer relationships.

Land & Grid Origination

• Grid capacity enquiries
• Development agreements
• Site acquisition opportunities
• Lease negotiations
• Planning and development coordination

Leverage the wider Mitie customer base to generate renewable energy opportunities.

Build strong relationships across:

• Facilities Management
• Projects
• Decarbonisation
• 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:

• Win rates
• Revenue forecasts
• Margin forecasts
• Sector performance
• Deliver high‑quality reporting for SLT, MBRs and Board reviews.

Experience Required

• 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.
• 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

• Entrepreneurial and growth oriented.
• Highly commercial and financially astute.
• Strategic whilst remaining delivery focused.
• 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.

Our market‑leading offering provides you with benefits that suit your lifestyle.

We have a virtual GP on hand for you and members of your household. So you can get expert advice by video or phone without having to leave your home. We offer financial wellbeing assistance through our Salary Finance scheme. For example, you could access 50% of your earned pay before payday for a small fee. Salary Finance also offers competitive loans.

When you join us, we’ll give you a link to our flexible lifestyle benefits platform, Choices. You might choose to purchase up to five extra days’ holiday each year. You might buy critical illness insurance, seek dental treatment or buy technology products at an affordable cost. There are many choices!

We give you access to high street discounts from thousands of well‑known retailers, gyms and more through our MiDeals platform. And we have a cycle‑to‑work scheme. Life cover of up to four times your salary is available. We also offer enhanced pension contributions, a save‑as‑you‑earn scheme, and a Mitie Matching Share Plan (you could even be awarded free shares in Mitie).

We award our employees with Mitie Stars as recognition for their hard work. There are cash prizes up for grabs each month and at the end of the year there’s a chance to scoop a top prize of £10,000!

Our success is a direct result of the experience and quality of our people. Progressing your career is therefore a top priority for us. We offer a diverse variety of training and development avenues via a wide selection of learning resources to suit you.

Together our diversity makes us stronger.

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