Senior Business Development - Mining

PowerGen Renewable Energy is seeking a Senior Business Development professional for the mining sector in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves originating opportunities, building a pipeline of mining energy projects, and leveraging industry relationships. Responsibilities include strategic leadership, proposal development, client engagement, and ensuring project readiness. This position may be part-time or consultancy-based with fixed and performance-based compensation.
Company DescriptionWe are one of the Financial Times' Africa's Fastest Growing Companies! PowerGen ranked 40th in the overall rankings and 5th in the Energy & Utilities sector. PowerGen a leading renewable energy platform in sub-Saharan Africa. PowerGen owns and operates renewable energy and distribution utility assets to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power to all. We are looking for professionals who want to be a part of a highly driven team which is at the forefront of the market and hungry to reshape the landscape of energy in Africa. We want leaders who are committed to the mission and able to think broadly and dynamically about a complex challenge, without losing focus on the critical day-to-day details of managing projects or a team.Job DescriptionPurpose / Overview The Business Development – Mining role will support PowerGen’s expansion in the mining sector by originating opportunities and building a strong pipeline of mining-sector C&I energy projects. The role will focus on leveraging established industry relationships to generate qualified leads, facilitate client introductions, and strengthen PowerGen’s presence in the mining segment.Working closely with the Business Development, Investments, and Project Development teams, the role will support the progression of opportunities into signed projects. The position may be structured as a part-time or consultancy engagement with a combination of a fixed retainer and performance-based incentives.KPIs:Pipeline Development & Opportunity Origination: Number of new mining-sector leads identified and qualified opportunities progressed.Proposal & Commercial Impact: Number and quality of proposals submitted, including competitiveness and client feedback.Project Support & Execution Readiness: Timely and accurate preparation of business cases, cost estimates, and project documentation to hand over to Project Execution.Relationship Management & Strategic Influence: Strength of relationships with mining clients and key stakeholders, including successful partnerships or collaborations.Revenue & Deal Closure: Track value of signed contracts or secured deals with mining clients.Financial Alignment & Bankability: Ensure proposed opportunities meet financial, regulatory, and strategic criteria for bankability.Market Intelligence & Competitive Insight: Quality and relevance of market insights provided to guide strategy and product offerings.Lead Conversion Efficiency: Percentage of leads converted into proposals and proposals converted into active projects.Customer Satisfaction & Stakeholder Feedback: Feedback from mining clients on engagement quality, responsiveness, and overall experience.Activities:Strategic Leadership & Oversight: Lead the business development strategy for the mining sector, driving pipeline growth, market expansion, and partnership opportunities while ensuring all projects meet financial, regulatory, and strategic criteria for bankability.Pipeline & Opportunity Development: Identify and analyze new mining opportunities, prepare business cases, proposals, budgets, and cost estimates, and coordinate with internal teams to ensure projects are ready for execution.Client Engagement & Stakeholder Management: Oversee client engagement, maintain strong relationships with mining clients and other stakeholders, and support revenue generation through innovative business models and deal structuring.Market Intelligence & Product-Market Fit: Gather and analyze market insights, competitor activity, and client feedback to refine the group’s solutions, value proposition, and strategic approach for mining clients.Process Improvement & Team Enablement: Continuously improve BD processes, tools, and reporting.Competencies:7+ years of BD or project development experience in Africa, ideally within the mining or energy sectors.Strong network of senior management/executives within the African mining sectorProven ability to build relationships with senior mining-sector stakeholders and influence decision-making.Strong commercial acumen and Experience in pipeline management, proposal development, and financial modeling.Excellent communication and negotiation skills.Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple opportunities.Willingness to travel frequently to client sites.Familiarity with mining operations, energy supply to industrial clients, and regulatory landscapes QualificationsQualifications & Experience;Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Energy Systems, or a related field; a Master’s degree (MBA or relevant technical/business field) is preferred.Strong understanding of the mining sector and its energy requirements, including regulatory and operational considerations.Demonstrated ability to work in emerging markets and multi-country contexts.Experience developing and implementing business development strategies, including lead generation, pipeline management, and team enablement.Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, financial modeling, and project economics.Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills with senior clients, partners, and internal teams.Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects, and deliver results in fast-paced environments.Willingness to travel frequently to client sites, with a demonstrated interest in and commitment to the renewable energy sector.Preferred:Experience developing industrial-scale energy projects for mining or C&I clients.Understanding of project finance and investment screening processes.Fluency in French or other relevant local languages.Hands-on experience in renewable energy or power sector project development is a plus.Additional InformationBenefits and Compensation:A competitive package including annual compensation, performance bonuses, health insurance, professional development and team building events. And you'll be working with a dynamic team of people passionate about electrifying East and West Africa!Why Join UsLead landmark solar hybrid projects transforming Nigeria’s and West Africa’s energy landscape.Be part of a fast-growing regional team with projects across Africa.Take ownership of complex, high-impact projects from concept to operation.