Vice President, Commercial at Oando

Job Summary:

The VP, Commercial is a mid-level management role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the company’s commercial objectives. He/she will be responsible for determining the commercial viability of all the organization’s projects and deliver profitable growth for each of the company’s verticals. He/she will support the Executive Vice President (EVP) in negotiating identified opportunities that lead to partnerships across both the public and private sectors, converting opportunities into revenue generating businesses, as well as playing an operational role in fundraising activities.

The VP, Commercial supports the organization’s identification, refinement, filtering and eventual realization of business and partnership opportunities for the organization. He/she is a key interface with partners and stakeholders, ensuring that the company’s best interests, as codified in the relevant agreements are protected and enhanced.

The VP, Commercial represents OCEL’s interest in operational and commercial alliances, as well as in presentations and meetings related to the promotion, development, funding, delivery, and evaluation of OCEL’s businesses.

Job Responsibilities:

• The VP, Commercial will act as a key support (advisory and operationally) to the EVP by overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the company’s commercial objectives and leading the Sales & Marketing and Business Development & New Ventures functions.

Strategic

• Principal relationship manager – operates as the lead point of contact for partners, and industry stakeholders who are critical to the attainment of OCEL’s aspirations.
• Act as an advisor providing support to the EVP, and reporting lines with respect to the identification of new business, partnership, and funding opportunities.
• Support the communication of key information to stakeholders across the organization as regards marketplace evolution, the competitive and regulatory environment; such information is expected to be obtained through effective stakeholder management and interaction within the business environment and directly with industry participants (public and private), technical and operating partners.
• Support the expansion of OCEL’s outreach activities and referral networks to ensure effective commercial and operating partnerships and alliances are forged.

Operational

• Facilitate the commercial evaluation of all ventures across different verticals and ensure viability before progressing the opportunity.
• Support the EVP in ensuring all opportunities are aligned with the vision and corporate strategy of the company, especially those for development of partnerships, business growth, and funding.
• Collaborate with interfacing functions and departments, as well as team members to ensure an integrated approach to delivering on the company’s objectives.
• Manage the performance, career development, welfare, and motivation of employees directly within function areas of responsibility.
• Where and when appropriate, represent OCEL to the public and internally, through effective communication, marketing, and public relations activities.

Sales & Marketing

• Oversee the implementation of the approved Sales & Marketing strategy for Nigeria and the rest of Africa to establish a robust pipeline of revenue.
• Support the EVP in the development of strategic plans to win identified opportunities.
• Responsible for achieving revenue targets for the business.
• Identify potential ‘new business’ initiatives (organic growth) and potential ‘acquisition’ opportunities.
• Generate leads/opportunities through sector and business profiling, cold calls, business networking and other market penetration strategies.
• Oversee the hiring and building of a Sales & Marketing organization.
• Day-to-day management and mentoring of the Sales & Marketing team in strategies and techniques for developing and closing business opportunities.
• Collaborate with Operations and other functions across OCEL and the Group businesses on a coordinated sales approach.
• Develop and present Sales & Marketing reports to Executive Management.
• Execute the Annual Business Plan to meet budget targets and the Business Growth Plan.

Opportunity Discovery & Development

• Work closely with the VP, Opportunity Maturation & New Ventures in the evaluation of opportunities for investment decisions.
• Identify, evaluate, and present to Executive Management new business opportunities, strategic initiatives, and profit optimization.
• Support the EVP in the design of strategies that evolve OCEL start-ups into efficient and scalable operating models.
• In tandem with relevant functions design, build and manage KPI dashboards for real-time monitoring of performance, advisor/client satisfaction, P&L tracking.
• Design and implement pilots to test new operations/products, measure results and iterate.

Partnership & Regulatory Services

• Identify, curate and nurture partnerships and synergies within sectors of interest.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Engineering or other related fields.
• An MBA would be an advantage.
• 15 years’ experience in the Energy industry with at least 5 years in a middle management role with extensive commercial responsibilities.
• Extensive knowledge of the grants and funding environment for renewable energy projects.
• Renewable energy experience would be advantageous.
• Business planning and analytical skills.
• Supervisory and field experience.

Personal Attributes & Core Competencies

• Energy Industry Dynamics
• Business Strategy Development and Execution
• Finance and Investment Management
• Planning and Budgeting
• Portfolio Management
• Project Management
• Creativity & Innovation, Disruptive Thinker
• Sales & Marketing
• Networking & Relationship Management
• Negotiation
• Business Performance Monitoring
• Leadership/Supervisory
• Drive for Continuous Learning
• Teamwork
• Integrity & Job Ownership
• Result-orientation
• Oral & Written Communication