ROLE DESCRIPTION: Commercial Finance Director
Believ: ABOUT US
At Believ, formerly known as Liberty Charge, we believe sustainable transport should be accessible to everyone. We’re a Charge Point Operator (CPO) on a mission to create the UK’s most reliable electric vehicle charging network that doesn’t cost the earth and leaves no one behind.
We work closely with local authorities and businesses to deliver reliable, high quality charging networks at pace, at scale and at zero cost.
We offer all the advantages of being a scale-up business, but with the added security and long-term backing from well-known parents - Liberty Global (who also own our delivery partner, Virgin Media O2) and Zouk Capital (who manage the Government’s Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund).
You’ll be joining this exciting journey at the start of our scale-up phase, and work with us to hit the ambitious targets our shareholders have set. You’ll become part of a passionate and supportive team in a fast-paced, dynamic and result-driven environment.
About the role
As the Commercial Finance Director at Believ, you will play a critical role in shaping the commercial strategy for our Public Sector and Private Sector deals. You will undertake commercial assessments of prospective acquisitions, and in shaping longer term strategic growth plans.
Your main responsibilities will include developing and assessing compelling and competitive commercial offers, conducting market insights analysis to support strategic decision-making, and supporting on the commercial aspects of contract negotiations and contract handover briefings at contract signature.
The role will entail leading a team to appraise the commercial viability of sites, using site selection practices such as demand modelling and regional data analysis, to inform data-driven commercial decisions and enhance site selection effectiveness. As well as overseeing the continued development and enhancement of these demand modelling and commercial modelling approaches.
You will work closely with key internal stakeholders to ensure Believ's commercial proposals are innovative, competitive, and aligned with market demands, whist still working within acceptable financial parameters. At contract signature you will ensure there is an effective handover of commercial aspects to Account Managers.
You will work with Operations to ensure deployment plans are cognisant of bid commercials and seek to optimise utilisation.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Offer Development:
1. Lead the creation of compelling and competitive commercial offers for Public and Private sector deals, working closely with sales leads to support them in shaping the proposition.
Commercial Modelling:
2. Lead and oversee the preparation of detailed commercial models to support proposals and business development activities, accounting for key bid win themes, enabling deals to be modelled accurately and their fit against key financial targets and parameters to be assessed to inform decision making.
3. Continuously refine and optimise commercial modelling tools to improve accuracy and relevance
4. Review commercial proposals and ensure financial compliance with business objectives.
5. Work with Operations to ensure to ensure commercial principles and nuances are factored into build programmes, to seek optimise utilisation and commercial performance.
Demand Modelling:
6. Conduct comprehensive market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive dynamics in the EV charging sector, informed by bid feedback and market intelligence collated from Sales teams and others.
7. Provide actionable insights to support strategic decision-making and business development initiatives.
8. Monitor industry developments, policy changes, and technological advancements to inform commercial strategies.
9. Input into discussion around tariff setting, working closely with the Finance and Consumer teams to ensure we strike the appropriate balance in being able to offer competitive tariffs within bids, whilst still achieving overall margin targets and being informed by consumer feedback.
Stakeholder Collaboration:
10. Work closely with sales, business development, finance, and technical teams to align commercial strategies with organisational objectives.
Market Insight Analysis:
11. Conduct comprehensive market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive dynamics in the EV charging sector, informed by bid feedback and market intelligence collated from Sales teams and others.
12. Provide actionable insights to support strategic decision-making and business development initiatives.
13. Monitor industry developments, policy changes, and technological advancements to inform commercial strategies.
14. Input into discussion around tariff setting, working closely with the Finance and Consumer teams to ensure we strike the appropriate balance in being able to offer competitive tariffs within bids, whilst still achieving overall margin targets and being informed by consumer feedback.
Continuous Improvement:
15. Identify opportunities for process improvements within the commercial function to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
16. Stay abreast of emerging trends and innovations in the EV charging industry to maintain a competitive edge.
17. Contribute to strategic growth initiatives and commercial assessments of M&A opportunities.
Departmental Management:
18. Lead the Commercial Finance team, setting clear objectives (Leadership), ensuring proper execution (Management), and holding people responsible for results (Accountability).
19. Assistance in managing budget / financials, including business partnering and the preparation of internal or external business cases.
20. Preparation and reporting of commercial KPIs from the Commercial team
Key success factors
21. Effective bid commercials leading to successful outcomes in line with business objectives.
22. Effective close working with the wider business to ensure the conditions for success are in place to enable the business to achieve its wider objectives.
23. Communicate complex commercial modelling and demand modelling strategies and principles effectively to key stakeholders.
24. Demonstrating our core values and working collaboratively across the business to achieve consensus amongst stakeholders.
25. Report key performance indicators (KPIs) to track commercial performance and drive continuous improvement.
Skills
26. Strong financial acumen with expertise in commercial modelling and pricing strategy development.
27. Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights.
28. Exceptional communication skills
29. Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver compelling commercial offers in a competitive environment.
30. Knowledge of market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and industry trends in the EV charging sector is highly desirable.
31. Numerate and literate individual – able to synthesise and review complex sales commercials and bid content/ collateral.
32. Results-oriented mindset with a focus on driving revenue growth and profitability.
33. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and lead cross-functional teams.
34. Experience managing commercial budgets and resources effectively.
35. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
36. Passion for sustainability and creating a positive impact on the environment.
37. Being a good team player who thrives under pressure and can flexibly work to deadlines.
38. Exhibits resilience, patience and understanding.
39. Excellent computer and literacy skills including Windows-based software programmes, primarily Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
40. Personality: results oriented, responsive, committed, ambitious, flexible.
41. Excellent attention to detail and ability to write and edit documents.
42. Great time management skills and able to work under pressure.
43. Able to influence and encourage those who you work alongside you, to meet demanding deadlines and clear decision making on when to escalate.
44. Able to deal with ambiguity that comes with being a start-up.
Experience
45. Proven experience in a commercial or bid management role, preferably within the EV charging, renewable energy, or infrastructure sectors.
46. Proficiency in relevant software and tools for financial modelling and market analysis.
47. Strong understanding of electric vehicle market dynamics, trends, and technologies.
48. Excellent management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Qualifications and Education
49. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Data Science, Transport Planning, or a related field. MBA or relevant advanced degree is a plus.
Benefits
50. Competitive salary and bonus scheme
51. 25 days’ annual leave, plus the usual 8 UK Bank Holidays and the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year*
52. Access to wellbeing and mental health benefits such as the Calm app, personal medical insurance, critical illness cover, dental, optical & travel insurance, income protection and life assurance
53. Pension contribution matched up to 10%
54. Access to our car benefit scheme and cycle to work scheme
55. Access to our online learning platform to continue to develop and grow your career with us.
56. 24 hours a year Volunteer Time Off to support causes that are important to you
57. Virgin Media / O2 discounts and offers
58. Access to VIP Arena Suites at the O2 Arena (London) and First Direct Arena (Leeds)
59. Enhanced parental leave policies
* This perk can only be availed for the following calendar year by employees who started before 1st December
Location
The business is currently based in our office in Southwark. The position is full time, hybrid with 3 days (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) based in the office. Believ is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our people.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.