Business Development Lead in Sunderland

Business Development Lead in Sunderland

Sunderland Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
I

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead business development in the North East, building relationships and identifying new opportunities.
  • Company: IES Utilities Group Ltd, a top UK utility provider focused on innovation and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits package, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of energy infrastructure while making a real impact in your community.
  • Qualifications: Experience in business development within utilities or energy sectors, strong networking skills.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to safety and quality in a growing industry.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

IES Utilities Group Ltd is a leading UK utility provider delivering end-to-end utility solutions across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating, and Renewables. IES provides survey, design, construction and maintenance services nationwide, supporting clients in building and operating resilient, future-ready infrastructure networks.

The North East and Teesside region represents a major strategic growth area for IES, driven by significant investment in power networks, industrial decarbonisation, renewables, hydrogen, CCUS and major infrastructure programmes. The region is home to a dense concentration of utilities, network operators, industrial clients and public-sector stakeholders, many of whom are central to the UK’s energy transition.

Role Summary

To lead business development activities across the North East and Teesside by building strong, trusted relationships with key customers and stakeholders, identifying new opportunities and aligning IES’s technical and commercial capabilities with customer investment programmes. The role will act as the front end of the sales and opportunity pipeline, working closely with operational, technical and commercial teams to convert strategic engagement into sustainable revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

  • Act as the senior business development presence for IES across the North East and Teesside
  • Leverage a strong existing network across utilities, power, energy and infrastructure clients to generate new opportunities
  • Develop and maintain a clear regional business development plan aligned to IES’s strategic objectives
  • Build and sustain multi-level relationships with customers, including engineering teams, commercial leads and C-suite stakeholders
  • Lead early engagement discussions on forthcoming programmes, frameworks and capital investment plans
  • Present IES’s capabilities and value proposition confidently at senior leadership and executive level
  • Identify opportunities across power networks, energy infrastructure and multi-utility projects, including complex and multi-disciplinary works
  • Work closely with technical, design and delivery teams to shape solutions that meet customer needs and risk profiles
  • Provide high-quality market intelligence to estimating and bid teams to improve bid strategy, competitiveness and win rates
  • Support the development of compelling, differentiated proposals that reflect IES’s technical strengths and regional delivery capability
  • Track and report on the regional opportunity pipeline, providing clear forecasts and updates to senior management
  • Represent IES at industry events, forums and regional stakeholder groups to enhance brand presence and visibility
  • Ensure a seamless handover of secured opportunities into delivery teams, maintaining customer confidence and continuity

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Strong and demonstrable network across the North East and Teesside region
  • Proven experience in a business development or strategic sales role within utilities, power or energy infrastructure
  • Technical background or strong technical understanding of power and/or energy systems
  • Experience engaging, influencing and presenting to senior stakeholders and C-suite decision-makers
  • Strong commercial acumen, with experience shaping opportunities and supporting contract and commercial negotiations
  • Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills
  • Ability to operate autonomously while collaborating effectively with internal teams across multiple disciplines

Desirable Experience

  • Experience working with regulated utilities, network operators or large industrial energy users
  • Knowledge of energy transition markets, including renewables, hydrogen, CCUS and electrification
  • Understanding of framework agreements and long-term infrastructure programmes

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary and benefits package
  • A high-profile role with ownership of regional growth and market development
  • Opportunity to shape IES’s presence and reputation across a strategically critical region
  • Collaborative and supportive team environment with a strong focus on safety and quality
  • Career development opportunities within a growing, multi-utility energy services business

How To Apply

If you believe you have the skills, experience and regional network to succeed in this role, please submit your CV along with a brief covering note outlining your business development experience and knowledge of the North East utilities and energy market to recruitment@iesutilities.co.uk. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Business Development Lead in Sunderland employer: IES Utilities Group Ltd.

IES Utilities Group Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and benefits package alongside a high-profile role that allows you to shape the future of energy infrastructure in the North East and Teesside. With a collaborative work culture focused on safety, quality, and innovation, employees are encouraged to grow through career development opportunities while making a meaningful impact in the energy transition. Join a trusted partner in the utility sector and be part of a team dedicated to building resilient, future-ready infrastructure networks.
I

Contact Detail:

IES Utilities Group Ltd. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Business Development Lead in Sunderland

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Show up and shine! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or clients, make sure you’re prepared. Bring your A-game, know your stuff about IES and the North East market, and be ready to discuss how you can add value to their projects.

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after meetings! If you’ve had a chat with someone about a potential opportunity, drop them a quick email to thank them for their time and reiterate your interest. It shows you’re keen and keeps you on their radar.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications come through directly. It gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm for the role and helps us keep track of all the amazing talent out there.

We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Lead in Sunderland

Business Development
Strategic Sales
Networking
Technical Understanding of Power and Energy Systems
Stakeholder Engagement
Influencing Skills
Presentation Skills
Commercial Acumen
Contract Negotiation
Communication Skills
Relationship Building
Autonomous Operation
Collaboration
Market Intelligence
Proposal Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Lead role. Highlight your experience in utilities and energy infrastructure, and don’t forget to showcase your network in the North East and Teesside region!

Craft a Compelling Cover Note: Your cover note is your chance to shine! Keep it brief but impactful. Outline your business development experience and how it aligns with IES’s goals. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Showcase Your Technical Understanding: Since this role requires a strong technical background, make sure to mention any relevant experience or knowledge you have about power and energy systems. We want to see that you can engage with technical teams confidently!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!

How to prepare for a job interview at IES Utilities Group Ltd.

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of IES's services and the energy market in the North East. Brush up on recent developments in power, gas, and renewables, as well as any relevant projects IES has been involved in. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Network Like a Pro

Since this role relies heavily on relationships, think about your existing network in the utilities and energy sectors. Be ready to discuss how you've leveraged these connections in past roles to generate opportunities. If you can share specific examples, even better!

✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen

Prepare to discuss your experience in shaping business opportunities and negotiating contracts. Think of instances where you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders or C-suite decision-makers. Highlighting your commercial skills will demonstrate that you understand the business side of development.

✨Engage with Enthusiasm

During the interview, show your passion for the role and the industry. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach building relationships with key customers and stakeholders. A positive attitude and genuine interest in IES’s mission will make a lasting impression.

Business Development Lead in Sunderland
IES Utilities Group Ltd.
Location: Sunderland

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

I
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>