Department:Commercial - Sales & Account Management

Employment Type:Permanent - Full Time

Location:Austin, USA

Description

We are seeking a Business Development Manager (known internally as Commercial Manager). Based in Austin, you will be a senior member on our dynamic and multi-national commercial team in an intellectually stimulating environment. You will play a key role in all aspects of business development and client relationship management of our energy analytics subscription and software-as-a-service business. You will lead a team of 3-5 Commercial Associates covering North American power markets including ERCOT, CAISO, PJM, MISO, NYISO, ISONE, Alberta, SPP, and WECC.

Aurora wouldn’t be an industry leader in providing energy market forecasts, analysis, insights, and consultancy without our successful commercial team. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual to develop, inspire and manage a growing team of young, ambitious and fast-learning team members. You will report to Aurora’s North America Commercial Head and develop jointly our go-to-market strategy, critically influence our product and service development, and build a successful team with necessary processes and systems. The position offers excellent career progression opportunities which include international expansion and/or extended leadership positions in the commercial team.

Successful candidates will combine a strong business development mindset, superior communication and relationship management skills, a high interest in and good understanding of energy and power markets, experience in managing a sales team and related commercial processes, coupled with a strong track record of performance in team-oriented environments leading to commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

Provide leadership and manage a team of 3-5 team of (Senior) Commercial Associates while keeping and building on a positive, strong and supportive team culture
Maintain and expand a pipeline of opportunities through acquisition and cross-selling
Guide the team on contracting and take an active role in agreements which require bespoke contract structures
Jointly define the go-to-market and commercialization strategy for our energy analytics subscription business for North America
Ensure established sales and account management processes are followed
Work with global region leads to maintain consistency across the company
Take responsibility to improve and refine processes, tools, and support systems that will create an effective and efficient commercial organization by liaising with our Commercial Operations, Commercial Sales, Marketing, and Events teams
Experience building systems and processes, with minimal oversight
Proactively build a network of strategic relationships and business partnerships in client organizations across North America
Manage a portfolio of existing key client accounts, developing a trusted advisor relationship with key customer stakeholders and executives
Support the development of marketing plans and provide hands-on support in developing marketing initiatives
Contribute to new product development and improvement of our existing services
Represent Aurora in a range of client meetings, conferences, and social gatherings

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

3-5 years sales/business development experience, ideally in subscription-based data and energy analytics sector
Relevant Master’s degree
Proven experience of building and/or leading a team of diverse backgrounds
Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills to collaborate with both technically and non-technically minded people
Results-driven, with a high degree of persistence in reaching goals and a hands-on approach to ensuring targets are achieved
Knowledge of Salesforce or other CRM systems
Experience in negotiating contractual terms with clients and drafting agreements
Strong commercial mindset, including creativity and intuition for opportunities that create impact and commercial success
Ability to remain calm under pressure and cope with uncertainty
Enthusiasm for and good knowledge of energy markets/technologies; previous professional exposure to energy and power markets is highly preferable
Strong analytical capabilities, in business, economics, engineering or similar would be preferred
Knowledge of at least one major North America power market, with a preference for CAISO, ERCOT, PJM, MISO, Alberta, NYISO, ISONE, and/or SPP

Benefits

A dynamic, intellectually stimulating and demanding yet supportive environment
The opportunity to grow, learn and contribute to a rapidly growing international business
The opportunity to substantially influence major decisions in the energy sector
Direct engagement with clients through Aurora conferences, workshops and webinars
A fun, informal and international work culture
A brand-new office space in the vibrant and culturally rich East Austin Area
A competitive salary package