Business Development Director - Transmission Distribution Technology

We are looking for a strategic, entrepreneurial, and results-driven Business Development Director – Transmission & Distribution Technology who will lead and accelerate our growth ambitions across the German-speaking Power Grids market while supporting the energy transition.

Within DNV, business development activities are centralized within the Sales Management function, while project execution and technical delivery are organized through specialized teams located across Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

• Location: Arnhem, Netherlands
• The office location is Arnhem, the Netherlands.
• Business: Energy Systems
• Position type: Full Time
• Contract type: Permanent Employee

Overview

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

As a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful organizations, we use our knowledge to advance safety and performance, set industry benchmarks, and inspire and invent solutions to tackle global transformations.

About the Sales Management Team

The rapid growth of renewable generation, electrification, industrial decarbonization, and increasing grid congestion demand unprecedented investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure. Expanding and modernizing the power grid has become one of the most critical challenges of the Energiewende.

At DNV, we help utilities, system operators, investors, developers and industrial customers navigate this transformation through world-class technical expertise, independent advisory services and innovative solutions.

To strengthen our position in one of Europe's most important energy markets, we are looking for an experienced Business Development Director who will lead our commercial growth strategy for Transmission & Distribution Technology across the Netherlands.

The Opportunity

This is a highly visible, strategic commercial leadership role at the forefront of the energy transition.

You will be responsible for shaping market strategy, developing executive-level customer relationships, identifying emerging opportunities, and driving sustainable growth across DNV's Transmission & Distribution business.

More than a traditional sales role, you will act as:

• Strategic market leader
• Trusted advisor to clients
• Industry thought leader
• Business developer
• Commercial sponsor
• Ambassador for DNV's Power Grids business

Working closely with engineering specialists, consultants and Power Grids leadership, you will help define how DNV supports the expansion and modernization of electricity infrastructure throughout the Netherlands.

The Sales Management function serves as the commercial engine of DNV's Power Grids business.

The team consists of senior market leaders who define strategic market priorities, identify emerging opportunities, influence industry developments and drive profitable growth across Northern Europe.

Working alongside Key Account Managers, consultants and technical experts, the team ensures that customer needs, market developments and service innovation remain strongly connected.

Each Business Development Director leads a specific strategic focus area. In this role, your focus will be Transmission & Distribution Technology for Grid Expansion.

Your Responsibilities

Lead Market Development in Germany

• Define and execute the growth strategy for Transmission & Distribution services across the Netherlands and other countries.
• Identify market opportunities driven by grid expansion, renewable integration and infrastructure modernization.
• Monitor regulatory, technological and market developments impacting utilities and system operators.
• Shape future service offerings based on customer and market demand.

Build Executive-Level Relationships.

• Develop trusted relationships with senior leaders across Transmission System Operators (TSOs), Distribution System Operators (DSOs), utilities, regulators and infrastructure investors.
• Expand DNV's presence within the Dutch energy ecosystem.
• Act as a strategic advisor to customers navigating complex investment and grid expansion challenges.
• Strengthen long-term partnerships and identify growth opportunities.

Drive Strategic Business Growth.

• Build and maintain a strong portfolio of commercial opportunities
• Own complex and high-value pursuits from qualification through contract signature.
• Lead bid strategies and go/no-go decisions.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary proposal teams.
• Negotiate and close strategic consulting and engineering engagements.

Serve as an Industry Thought Leader

• Represent DNV at major industry conferences and events.
• Deliver presentations and keynote speeches.
• Publish articles and thought leadership content.
• Participate in industry initiatives shaping the future of transmission and distribution networks.
• Establish yourself as one of DNV's leading voices in Grid Expansion and Transmission Technology.

Connect Strategy, Sales and Delivery

Work closely with experts in, Power Equipment, Overhead Line, Cable Systems, Power System Planning, and Grid Expansion Advisory

• Translate customer challenges into innovative solutions
• Support business planning and resource prioritization
• Sponsor major projects to ensure successful delivery and long-term customer value

Mentor Future Leaders

• Coach consultants and technical experts in commercial awareness and customer engagement.
• Share market insights and industry knowledge across the organization
• Contribute to a culture of growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement

About you

Commercial Leadership

• Significant experience in Business Development, Strategic Sales, Consulting Leadership or Commercial Management
• Proven success in growing business within consulting, engineering, infrastructure or energy markets
• Strong track record of winning complex, high-value opportunities
• Experience developing and executing growth strategies in technical environments

Deep Industry Expertise

You bring extensive knowledge of the Dutch Transmission & Distribution sector and its evolving challenges, including:

• Grid Expansion
• High Voltage Infrastructure
• Substations
• Overhead Line Systems
• Underground Cable Systems
• Power System Planning
• Renewable Integration
• Grid Congestion
• Energy Infrastructure Investments

You have an established professional network within:

• TSOs
• DSOs
• Utilities
• Engineering companies
• Regulatory bodies
• Energy sector stakeholders

Strategic Mindset

• Ability to anticipate market developments and translate them into business opportunities
• Strong business acumen and analytical capabilities
• Experience working in complex stakeholder environments
• Entrepreneurial approach combined with strategic thinking

Leadership & Influence

• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to engage credibly with both technical experts and executive decision-makers
• Experience coaching and mentoring professionals
• Collaborative leadership style focused on sustainable growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Energy, Business or a related discipline
• Fluent Dutch and English
• Willingness to travel across the Netherlands and Europe

Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country-specific laws and practices.

What we offer

• A highly strategic and visible role in one of Europe's most important energy markets
• Significant freedom and autonomy to shape growth strategy
• Direct engagement with leading utilities and infrastructure operators
• Opportunities to influence the future of the Dutch energy transition
• Access to world-class technical expertise and international collaboration
• A flexible hybrid working model
• Extensive professional development opportunities
• Future pathways into commercial leadership, people leadership or business area management

Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on how the Netherlands' electricity infrastructure evolves for decades to come.

Benefits

Profit Share

You’ll be part of our global profit share scheme that means we all share in our success as a business. If we profit, so do you. This will be part of our Total Compensation approach each year and depends on our year-end results.

Insurance

Taking care of you with travel, life, and accident insurance.

Pension Schemes

We care about your long-term financial security and prioritize pension and retirement benefits to reflect our caring values.

Professional Development

We believe in the 70/20/10 learning model, where 70% of your learning comes from performing your everyday tasks and working on different projects, new areas and initiatives to gain new skills. 20% from working with others and mentoring and the rest from formal education.

Hybrid Working

Adapting to the changing world of work around the world.

Purpose-led organization

You become part of a world-leading company where we know and live our purpose; to safeguard life, property, and the environment, with the opportunity to tackle global change through your work.

Supportive and caring culture

We offer opportunities to connect through social and professional networks. Our largest community CONNECT, organizes after-work events and informal meetings throughout the year.

Attractive rewards

We focus on work/life balance and offer employees flexible working hours and workplace, annual vacation allowance, competitive pension, insurance, and a global profit share scheme.

At DNV you can expect to deliver career and industry defining work. You’ll be given the time to build your network, the resources to support your development, and the freedom to satisfy your curiosity and desire to learn.