Business Development Lead in England
Business Development Lead

Business Development Lead in England

England Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic corporate relationships and secure large-scale carbon removal agreements.
  • Company: Join a mission-driven B Corp focused on sustainability and climate impact.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in restoring ecosystems and combating climate change.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in management consulting or investment banking with strong analytical skills.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to impactful climate solutions.

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

Company Description

Systemiq is a system change company and certified B Corp, driving the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. We work across five critical systems—energy, nature and food, materials and circular economy, sustainable finance, and urban transformation—to deliver real, lasting impact. We believe systems change starts with people change. That means curiosity, collaboration, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work. Since our start in ****, we have grown to more than 300+ people working across locations in Brazil, Germany, France, Indonesia, Netherlands, UK and the US. We are a pure-play sustainability-focused company, dedicated exclusively to sustainability projects.

Description

About the Organisation

We’re supporting a mission-led climate and nature organisation within the wider Ecosystemiq network to hire a Business Development Lead. The organisation is a fast-growing tropical forest restoration scale-up operating across West Africa, focused on restoring some of the world’s most biodiverse and critically threatened forest ecosystems. Founded in ****, the organisation has already:

  • Restored thousands of hectares of degraded land
  • Built and managed large on-the-ground teams across multiple countries
  • Secured long-term partnerships with major global corporates and institutional investors

The model is fully vertically integrated, with in-house operations rather than outsourcing — ensuring delivery quality, data integrity, and long-term restoration at scale. The founding team brings together deep finance and commercial experience, frontier-market execution capability, and leading climate and nature expertise, creating a highly commercial organisation delivering real-world impact.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal commercial role within a high-growth climate venture. As Business Development Lead, you will secure large-scale carbon removal offtake agreements with leading global companies, with individual contracts exceeding $100m in value. You’ll operate at the intersection of corporate climate strategy, project finance, and large-scale ecosystem restoration, reporting directly to the Head of Partnerships and working closely with the founding team.

What You’ll Work On — and What You’ll Build

  • Lead strategic corporate relationships
  • Source, build, and manage relationships with senior stakeholders across major international corporates
  • Guide partners from initial engagement through to signed, long-term offtake agreements
  • Manage ongoing client relationships, including senior-level reporting

What you’ll build: a trusted presence in a high-influence, relationship-driven climate buyer market.

  • Drive end-to-end commercial execution
  • Own the full sales cycle: outreach, pitching, diligence (technical and ESG), NDAs, contract negotiation, and close
  • Prepare polished, board-level materials for senior decision-makers

What you’ll build: deep expertise in complex, multi-stakeholder B2B dealmaking.

  • Help corporate buyers understand delivery models, biodiversity outcomes, social impact, and risk
  • Support pricing and risk-allocation discussions
  • Participate in field visits and due diligence trips to West Africa

What you’ll build: strong grounding in carbon markets, restoration economics, and frontier-market realities.

  • Shape commercial and market strategy
  • Feed market insights into pricing, positioning, and go-to-market strategy

What you’ll build: the skillset of a commercial builder shaping how a high-impact climate venture scales globally.

Ultimately, your work will help channel capital into restoring forests, regenerating ecosystems, and supporting livelihoods across West Africa.

Requirements

Must have

  • Minimum 5 years’ total work experience
  • Background in management consulting or investment banking, with strong analytical skills and executive-level communication
  • Experience in complex business development, partnerships, or multi-stakeholder commercial roles
  • Comfort operating in a lean, fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment
  • Full right to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship available).

Nice to have

  • Experience in climate, carbon markets, sustainability, renewables, or commodities
  • Exposure to emerging or frontier markets
  • Willingness to travel periodically within West Africa
  • Low-ego, collaborative, and mission-driven
  • Highly autonomous and proactive
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid scale-up environments

Competitive salary, benefits, and equity (stock options)

A central role in a high-calibre, low-churn team

Ownership of strategic relationships with leading global climate buyers

Diversity & Inclusion

At Systemiq, we believe that diversity and inclusion are crucial to system change and our mission. We are committed to:

  • Embedding diverse and inclusive practices in all aspects of our work, including recruitment, performance management, and people processes and policies.
  • Providing a supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and perform at their best, regardless of background, personality, gender, sexual orientation, race, mental health, religion, or other characteristics.
  • Supporting our people through all life stages, accommodating personal priorities, and promoting a sustainable approach to work and life.

Reward and Recognition

The remuneration and benefits package will reflect the successful candidate's experience and expertise.

Interested in building your career at Systemiq? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Business Development Lead in England employer: Systemiq

At Systemiq, we are not just a workplace; we are a community dedicated to driving meaningful change in the world through sustainability. As a certified B Corp, we offer a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises personal growth and professional development, ensuring our employees thrive while making a real impact on global climate initiatives. Located in the UK, our team enjoys competitive salaries, equity options, and the opportunity to engage directly with leading global corporates in the vital field of ecosystem restoration.
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Contact Detail:

Systemiq Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

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

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the climate and sustainability sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might help you land that dream role!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company inside out, especially their projects and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about making an impact.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You’ll need to communicate your ideas clearly and confidently. Role-play with friends or use video calls to simulate the interview environment. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews or networking events, send a quick thank-you note. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!

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

Business Development
Relationship Management
Analytical Skills
Executive-Level Communication
Complex Deal Structuring
Partnership Development
Sales Cycle Management
Carbon Markets Knowledge
Restoration Economics
Project Finance
Stakeholder Engagement
Market Strategy Development
Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments
Autonomy and Proactivity

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Sustainability: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission to drive real change in climate and nature.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight relevant experience that matches the role of Business Development Lead. We’re looking for specific examples of your work in complex business development or partnerships that demonstrate your skills.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role. Remember, less is often more!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Systemiq

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Systemiq's mission and values. Understand their focus on sustainability and how they operate across various ecosystems. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their goals.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss your past experiences in business development, especially in complex environments. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed relationships or closed significant deals, particularly in sustainability or related fields.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Come prepared with thoughtful questions about the role and the company’s future projects. This demonstrates your curiosity and engagement, which are key traits for a Business Development Lead at a mission-driven organisation like Systemiq.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

Since collaboration is at the heart of Systemiq's work, be ready to discuss how you've worked effectively in teams. Share examples that illustrate your ability to navigate multi-stakeholder environments and drive results through partnership.

Business Development Lead in England
Systemiq
Location: England
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  • Business Development Lead in England

    England
    Full-Time
    36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.)
  • S

    Systemiq

    50-100
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