At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive new business revenue in sustainability and energy solutions, working with warm leads.
- Company: Join a market leader in energy and sustainability solutions in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy training opportunities, a company pension, life insurance, and a 4pm finish on Fridays.
- Other info: Work from home with travel to offices; excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against climate change while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience in B2B, particularly in sustainability and energy management.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Sunstainability Solutions Director (SSD) SSD
Inspired is a market leading, technology-enabled provider of energy and sustainability solutions in the UK - supporting businesses to transition to net zero carbon and manage their response to climate change.
Established in 2000, we became the first publicly quoted advisor following a successful AIM debut in 2011.
We are now the UK's number one destination for businesses seeking expert insight and advisory services to help them manage their energy costs, reduce their carbon emissions and prove their net zero carbon and ESG strategies to their investors and customers
We are looking for a Sustainability Solutions Director (SSD) to join our successful Optimisationteam. This role ishome basedwith travel to officesrequired.
Role and Responsibilities
The SSD – Optimisation & Decarbonisation Solutions is responsible for driving new business revenue across Inspired's sustainability and building optimisation division, selling energy efficiency, smart building, retrofit, decarbonisation and energy generation solutions.
Reporting to the Sales Director – Optimisation, the role works pre-qualified leads generated from Inspired's existing base of c.3,000 energy consultancy customers — there is no requirement for cold outreach or lead generation.
The SSD qualifies these warm opportunities, converts them, and develops them into long-term client relationships in line with the divisional commercial strategy.
The SSD acts as the day-to-day commercial point of contact for clients, bridging client objectives and technical delivery capabilities to ensure solutions deliver measurable energy, carbon and operational performance improvements while meeting commercial, regulatory and sustainability requirements.
- The successful candidate's responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Business Development & Revenue Growth
- Deliver against individual new business revenue and margin targets contributing to the divisional sales plan set by the Sales Director.
- Work a steady flow of warm, pre-qualified leads sourced from Inspired's c.3,000 existing energy consultancy customers — no cold prospecting or outbound lead generation is required.
Close new opportunities across
- Building Management Systems (BMS)
- Smart building technologies
- Io T-enabled building optimisation
- Energy efficiency upgrades
- Decarbonisation programmes – Solar and Battery Energy Storage
- Renewable energy and on-site generation solutions
- Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified opportunities and manage activity through the full sales cycle, keeping accurate CRM records and forecasts.
- Client Relationship Management
- Understand client operational challenges, sustainability objectives and asset performance requirements.
- Position Inspired's solutions as strategic investments that deliver operational savings, improved building performance, enhanced ESG outcomes and regulatory compliance.
- Working with Solution Development & Pre-Sales
Inspired has a dedicated Solution Development and Pre-Sales team that owns the technical heavy lifting and business case build — energy audits, building performance assessments, sustainability reviews, ROI modelling and technical and commercial proposals.
The SSD's role is to convert a strong, well-qualified business case into a closed deal.
- Brief the Solution Development and Pre-Sales team on client requirements, drivers and decision criteria so they can build a compelling business case.
- Act as the commercial owner of the opportunity — position the business case to client stakeholders, lead commercial negotiation, manage objections and drive to close.
- Maintain enough technical fluency to have credible client conversations, leaving deep engineering, modelling and proposal work to the Pre-Sales team.
- Feed client and market insight back to the Sales Director and Pre-Sales team to sharpen the wider proposition.
- Market Awareness & Industry Engagement
- Represent Inspired at industry events, conferences, client forums and networking opportunities to generate leads and raise the profile of Inspired's optimisation and decarbonisation capabilities.
- Stay informed on market trends, legislation, competitor activity and emerging technologies, sharing insight with the Sales Director and wider team.
- Act as a trusted advisor to clients on smart buildings, energy efficiency, sustainability and building performance strategies.
- Support marketing and business development initiatives through client presentations, content contribution and industry engagement.
- Sales-to-Delivery Transition
- Ensure a seamless handover from sales to project delivery teams.
- Work closely with project managers, engineers and technical specialists to ensure client expectations, project scope and commercial objectives are clearly documented and understood.
- Stay engaged with clients throughout project delivery to maximise customer satisfaction and identify repeat and follow‐on opportunities.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Success in this role will be measured against
- New business revenue generated against individual target.
- Gross margin.
- Growth and coverage of qualified sales pipeline.
- Conversion rates and sales cycle velocity.
- CRM hygiene and forecast accuracy.
Measurable client outcomes, including
- Energy savings
- Cost reductions
- Carbon reduction achievements
- ESG and sustainability improvements
- Contribution to market positioning, brand reputation and competitive differentiation.
- Internal Stakeholders
• Subject Matter Experts
- Solar and Battery systems
- BMS and Io T
- Io T & Digital Solutions Teams
- Engineering & Technical Delivery Teams
- Sustainability & ESG Advisory Teams
Qualifications and Experience Requirements
- Proven track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets within B2B environments.
- Experience within sustainability, energy management, ESG, decarbonisation or net‐zero environments.
- Knowledge of UK energy and building regulations, compliance frameworks and sustainability reporting requirements.
- Experience working with energy monitoring, controls integration or smart building solution providers.
- Property management
- Facilities management
- Building owners and occupiers
- Developers and asset managers
- Retail, leisure, manufacturing and educational verticals
- Experience closing deals with a contract value of £1m or more.
- Ability to communicate technical solutions in commercial terms and articulate business value to both technical and executive stakeholders.
- Strong consultative selling, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation and influencing abilities.
- Self‐motivated, target‐driven and comfortable working autonomously within a defined commercial strategy.
- Familiarity with smart building and building optimisation technologies sufficient to hold credible client conversations (deep technical expertise sits with the Pre‐Sales team), including:
- Building Management Systems (BMS)
- Io T and connected technologies
- Building automation
- Data analytics and monitoring platforms
- Energy efficiency solutions
- Retrofit programmes
What we offer
- Training and development opportunities
- Company pension
- Life insurance
- Enhanced maternity and paternity
- Benefits portal, with a wide range of benefits
- 4pm finish on Friday
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Sunstainability Solutions Director (SSD) in Kirkham employer: Inspired PLC
Inspired is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises sustainability and innovation. As a member of our ESG team, you'll enjoy flexible remote working while contributing to meaningful projects that help businesses achieve their net zero goals. We provide ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring you can advance your career in the rapidly evolving energy sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sunstainability Solutions Director (SSD) in Kirkham
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like Inspired PLC that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like Inspired PLC that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like Inspired PLC. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like Inspired PLC when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Sunstainability Solutions Director (SSD) in Kirkham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with Inspired PLC's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Sunstainability Solutions Director (SSD).
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research Inspired PLC and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that Inspired PLC is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Sunstainability Solutions Director (SSD).
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspired PLC
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with Inspired PLC.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at Inspired PLC.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of Inspired PLC. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
