Business Development Lead

Shou; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility provider is seeking a Business Development Lead for the North East region. This role involves developing a regional growth strategy, building strong stakeholder relationships, and positioning the company as a key partner in energy infrastructure projects. Candidates should have experience in business development within the utilities sector, a strong network in the North East, and excellent communication skills. This permanent position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Career development opportunities

Collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development in utilities, power, or energy infrastructure.
• Strong technical understanding of energy systems.
• Experience engaging with C-suite decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development activities across the North East and Teesside.
• Identify new opportunities and align IES's capabilities with customer needs.
• Build and maintain relationships with multi-level customers.

Skills

Strong networking skills

Commercial acumen

Excellent communication

Ability to engage senior stakeholders

Job description

Job Title: Business Development Lead – North East
Salary: Competitive with benefits package
Location: North East England (including Teesside)
Contract: Permanent

About IES

IES Utilities Group Ltd is a leading UK utility provider delivering end-to-end utility solutions across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating, and Renewables. IES provides survey, design, construction, and maintenance services nationwide, supporting clients in building and operating resilient, future‑ready infrastructure networks. Headquartered in Manchester, IES continues to grow as a trusted partner across regulated and competitive utility markets, underpinned by a strong commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability.

About the role and region

The North East and Teesside region represents a major strategic growth area for IES, driven by significant investment in power networks, industrial decarbonisation, renewables, hydrogen, CCUS, and major infrastructure programmes. The region is home to a dense concentration of utilities, network operators, industrial clients, and public‑sector stakeholders, many of whom are central to the UKs energy transition.

To capitalise on this opportunity, IES is seeking a Business Development Lead for the North East. This role will be responsible for developing and executing a regional growth strategy, leveraging an established network across the North East and Teesside to originate, shape, and secure new work across power and wider energy infrastructure. The role will focus on early engagement, senior stakeholder relationships, and positioning IES as a partner of choice for complex, multi‑discipline utility projects.

Role Summary

To lead business development activities across the North East and Teesside by building strong, trusted relationships with key customers and stakeholders, identifying new opportunities, and aligning IESs technical and commercial capabilities with customer investment programmes. The role will act as the front end of the sales and opportunity pipeline, working closely with operational, technical, and commercial teams to convert strategic engagement into sustainable revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the senior business development presence for IES across the North East and Teesside
• Strong existing network across utilities, power, energy, and infrastructure clients to generate new opportunities.
• Develop and maintain a clear regional business development plan aligned to IESs strategic objectives.
• Build and sustain multi‑level relationships with customers, including engineering teams, commercial leads, and C‑suite stakeholders.
• Lead early engagement discussions on forthcoming programmes, frameworks, and capital investment plans.
• Present IESs capabilities and value proposition confidently at senior leadership and executive level.
• Identify opportunities across power networks, energy infrastructure, and multi‑utility projects, including complex and multi‑discipline works.
• Work closely with technical, design, and delivery teams to shape solutions that meet customer needs and risk profiles.
• Provide high‑quality market intelligence to estimating and bid teams to improve bid strategy, competitiveness, and win rates.
• Support the development of compelling, differentiated proposals that reflect IESs technical strengths and regional delivery capability.
• Track and report on the regional opportunity pipeline, providing clear forecasts and updates to senior management.
• Represent IES at industry events, forums, and regional stakeholder groups to enhance brand presence and visibility.
• Ensure a seamless handover of secured opportunities into delivery teams, maintaining customer confidence and continuity.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong and demonstrable network across the North East and Teesside region.
• Proven experience in a business development or strategic sales role within utilities, power, or energy infrastructure.
• Technical background or strong technical understanding of power and/or energy systems.
• Experience engaging, influencing, and presenting to senior stakeholders and C‑suite decision‑makers.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience shaping opportunities and supporting contract and commercial negotiations.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to operate autonomously while collaborating effectively with internal teams across multiple disciplines.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with regulated utilities, network operators, or large industrial energy users.
• Knowledge of energy transition markets, including renewables, hydrogen, CCUS, or electrification.
• Understanding of framework agreements and long‑term infrastructure programmes.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A high‑profile role with ownership of regional growth and market development.
• Opportunity to shape IESs presence and reputation across a strategically critical region.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment with a strong focus on safety and quality.
• Career development opportunities within a growing, multi‑utility energy services business.

How To Apply

If you believe you have the skills, experience, and regional network to succeed in this role, please submit your CV along with a brief covering note outlining your business development experience and knowledge of the North East utilities and energy market to [e-mail]. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.