Head of Business Development, Germany
Job Title: Head of Business Development, Germany
Department: Business Development
Reporting to: Director of Development, Northern Europe
Location: Berlin, Germany
About Lightsource bp
We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.
For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.
Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.
Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.
What you’ll do (the role)
Summary
The Head of Business Development will be leading the business development team responsible for the business and project development activities in Germany. The role is based in our office in Berlin, Germany.
Core Responsibilities
- Originate and supervise the development of greenfield, co-development and M&A opportunities through to completion, working in close cooperation with the internal legal, technical and planning teams.
- Set and drive the strategic direction for Lightsource bp in Germany, ensuring alignment with global and regional goals.
- Act as the primary representative of Lightsource bp in Germany – both externally with stakeholders, partners, and industry bodies, and internally as the senior-most leader in-market.
- Foster a high-performance, inclusive team culture, championing collaboration, innovation, and personal development within the German business development and wider cross-functional teams.
- Promote and embed Lightsource bp’s company values and culture, creating an environment of trust, accountability, and engagement.
- Be a visible and credible spokesperson for business at industry events, conferences, public forums, and in media (as appropriate).
- Lead commercial negotiations liaising with external consultants and advisors.
- Foster and grow a collaborative work environment between in-country and centralised teams.
- Lead the business development team to identify and develop new opportunities for growth in core and related areas (storage, hybridisation, green hydrogen, agrivoltaics etc.).
- Conceptualise and support the team in the preparation and presentation of materials for the relevant internal investment committees.
- Maintain and expand a strong network of relationships in the German energy market, ensuring Lightsource bp remains well positioned in a competitive landscape.
Who we’re looking for
Experience & Knowledge
- Senior leadership experience in the renewable energy or battery energy storage (BESS) sector, with proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
- Deep knowledge and significant experience operating within the German energy market, including a strong network of industry and regulatory contacts.
- Demonstrated success in progressing pipelines and bringing multiple utility-scale projects from origination through to completion.
- Experience in greenfield development and acquisition of project pipelines.
- Strong track record of originating, negotiating, and closing commercial deals across the renewable energy spectrum.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to define and deliver growth strategies in a dynamic and fast-growing, market-leading organisation.
- Experience in leading external stakeholder engagement, including government entities, industry associations, regulatory bodies, and commercial partners.
- Experience in supporting or driving brand strategy and market positioning, ensuring alignment between commercial activity, public image, and company values.
- Fluent in German and English
Qualifications
• Master’s degree, MBA or other relevant field, preferred
Why you’ll make a great member of the team
Personal qualities
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to influence key stakeholders in the business, winning support to execute investment proposals.
- Exceptionally well organized and driven by success.
- Ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.
- Outstanding commercial and negotiating skills.
- Deep understanding of driving positive culture across teams and encouraging collaboration through cross-functional working.
- Analytical thinker with superior problem-solving skills.
- Solid history of data-driven strategic development.
- Uncompromising integrity and work ethic.
- Decisive and committed.
- A natural leader who inspires and motivates those around them.
Why you’ll want to work for us
Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.
Be you
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.
Be responsible
Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible.
Be recognised
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.
Be inspired
Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.
Our core values
Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects.
Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.