About Husk Power Systems

Husk is one of the world’s leading rural energy service companies with operations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. We provide low-cost and reliable power to rural households and businesses, entirely from renewable energy sources. Powering economic possibilities in every village is at the heart of everything we do.

We design, build and operate the lowest cost hybrid (solar and biomass) power plant and distribution network in India and Africa. To date, Husk has provided electricity to over 15,000 homes and business, reducing 95,000 tonnes of CO2. Our aim is to provide 30MW of power to 225,000 customers by 2025, and save 350,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Role Summary

The Head, New Business Initiatives is a leadership position responsible for driving high level new business and market entry engagements within the country and across various business lines. The Head, New Business Initiatives is required to drive market/business positioning strategies and revenue growth initiatives in alignment with functional leadership whilst providing support in driving “Best Practices” across the business. The candidate will also have a track record of proven leadership abilities (communication, relationship building, training & development, employee relations, performance management, etc.) as well as requisite industry knowledge with a robust industry network.

Key Responsibilities

General

• Work closely with the Country Director and other members of the Nigerian Management Team to deliver on country business objectives.
• Support the optimization of various Husk NG activities to ensure best practices are entrenched towards more efficient processes.
• Support in driving “Best Practices” across the business. Once a “Best Practice” has been identified, ensure that the practice is visible nationally and to another subsidiary.
• Support efforts in the training and mentoring of new employees for capacity building purposes.
• Understand the priorities of the country operations and support the Country Team when required.
• Provide requisite support and inputs on building and aligning various company processes and policies according to global best practices.
• Other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

New Business Initiatives 

• Develop accurate segmentation and targeting of the existing market including identification of customer and market opportunities, market entry/expansion strategy, establishing balance of long-term pipeline and short-term revenue.
• Structure and institutionalize the process around identifying and serving existing customers’/clients’ needs to match the company’s corporate strategy and ensure sustainability of business verticals
• Lead efforts in sourcing potential leads for partnerships, joint-ventures and possible  funding for deploying various POC projects/initiatives across mini grid locations with expected direct  impact on topline.
• Design cooperation structures, role-sharing and assess economics for such partnerships/JVs.

Interconnected Mini Grids (Business)

• Own the P&L and sales related activities for operational Husk Interconnected Mini Grids (IMGs) across Nigeria.
• Lead and drive sales, business development, expansion and business reporting activities for the IMGs’ portfolio in alignment with set objectives.
• Regularly interact with various high level internal and external stakeholders on IMGs business performance and growth.
• Work with relevant teams to set relevant site selection criteria, for viable IMG locations.
• Ensure support for other Business Units to drive alignment with IMG related activities.
• Support market research activities across the IMG business, including but not limited to marketing, business development, review and budgeting.

Business Growth

• Coordinate with the relevant Teams on inputs regarding deployment and implementation of POC projects and initiatives.
• Support efforts for business communications internally and externally, including project press releases, case study development and videos..

Funding Proposals/Thought Leadership

• Drive thought leadership engagements to ensure Husk maintains local visibility as an industry leader.
• Co-lead engagements with relevant stakeholders for submission of funding proposals geared towards specific POC projects and/or initiatives.

General Skills & Attributes

• Ability to develop and update professional knowledge and skills quickly and efficiently.
• Ability to apply professional knowledge and skills in the advancement of business objectives.
• Proven proactive approach to driving business initiatives.
• Quickly and successfully implements changes and improvements in operational activities and services. Effectively carries out tasks that are required by the Senior Leadership and Nigeria Management team in addition to carrying out own role.
• Adapts to changes in company strategy whilst developing own strategy to achieve a personal goal of competently developing projects.
• Assesses own development needs and develops self to improve job performance and fulfil future potential. Contributes to the team ethos of Company.
• The ability to evaluate and convey complex information to others in an effective manner through persuasive communication, negotiating skills and clear presentation skills in both verbal and written contexts.

Physical Demands

• Have full range of mobility in upper and lower body
• Could work in outdoor weather conditions at certain times
• Have adequate visual and hearing acuity to follow instructions; and determine accuracy of the work assigned
• Ability to work in rural, peri-urban locations

Does this sound like you? 

• Bachelor degree in Engineering, Management, Business or related degree from a top rated institution. Post graduate degree or relevant business certifications; a  plus.
• 7 – 10 years of work experience with at least 3 years of experience in contributing to driving business growth at senior management level; fostering and growing strategic partnership engagements at a high level.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent people skills, and ability to engage in a multi-cultural and diverse environment, with multiple internal and external industry stakeholders
• This position requires experience in driving business initiatives from conception to fruition, critical thinking and the ability to provide solutions to the benefit of the company, and projects.
• Excellent problem-solving skills are required
• A clearly defined strategic thought process and an entrepreneurial mindset with a drive to achieve continuous business growth – a must
• Demonstrates high level of accountability, and ownership of tasks
• Ability to influence through data and business analysis
• Confident to liaise at all levels, articulate with good presentation skills
• Ability to work and lead effectively in cross-functional teams
• Excellent skills with MS Office, Google Suite, and relevant tools
• Most importantly, candidate must fit company spirit where people work smart, play hard, have fun and are dedicated to success

Also;

• You are driven to deliver business growth in a new market.
• You have a robust industry network and have indebt understanding of business engagement and practices.
• You are an effective planner and have a strong orientation to process
• You building strong relationship built on trust, and are a strong verbal communicator
• You pride your negotiation and communication skills.

If Yes, then we have a role fitting your ideals!!