Lead-Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE)

Job Description

• Designation: Lead- Distributed Renewable Energy
• Organization: SwitchON Foundation
• Location: Kolkata (Base) | PAN India Operations
• Work Experience: 8-12 years in the Renewable Energy Sector
• Compensation: 16-18 Lakhs (Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and based on the last salary drawn).
• Language Proficiency: Hindi, English, and Bengali

About SwitchON Foundation

Established in 2008, SwitchON Foundation is a pioneering non-profit organization committed to driving sustainable development through innovative solutions in climate-resilient agriculture, clean energy, and green livelihoods. With a passionate team of over 175 professionals, we operate across 10 states in India, empowering communities with climate-smart technologies and practices.

Recognized as a Great Place to Work, SwitchON Foundation takes pride in its inclusive and diverse workplace, with strong representation of women in leadership roles. Our impact is amplified through a combination of innovative programs, social enterprises, and strategic policy advocacy aimed at creating lasting change.

To learn more about our work, please visit: www.switchon.org.in

Position Overview

SwitchON Foundation is looking for an experienced DRE Lead to provide overall leadership to its Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) vertical.The DRE Lead will be responsible for shaping the vertical's strategic direction, business growth, partnerships, techno-commercial opportunities, project portfolio and overall performance.

The role requires a strong combination of renewable-energy expertise, business acumen, techno-commercial understanding, project leadership and stakeholder management.The DRE Lead will work closely with the organisation's senior leadership and will lead the DRE team, including the DGM – DRE, to build and scale commercially viable and impact-oriented distributed renewable-energy solutions across India.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Manager – Distributed Renewable Energy will be the business leader of this crucial segment and be primarily responsible for developing and expanding relationships with existing customers and developing new customer bases .

He/she would have had techno-commercial experience in this sector that is referenceable.

He will be responsible for developing sales pitches for targeted customer segments as well as ensure implementation

1. DRE Strategy & Vertical Leadership

• Lead the overall strategy, growth and expansion of the DRE vertical across India.
• Define priorities, annual plans and growth opportunities in alignment with organisational goals.
• Provide strategic direction and guidance to the DGM – DRE and the wider DRE team.
• Identify opportunities to develop new DRE solutions, markets and scalable business models.

2. Business Development & Market Expansion

• Identify and develop new customers, markets, partners and business opportunities in the DRE sector.
• Lead business proposals, pitches, concept notes and techno-commercial discussions.
• Strengthen existing customer and partner relationships and develop new strategic accounts.
• Build a strong pipeline of projects and opportunities for the DRE vertical.

3. Techno-Commercial Leadership

• Provide technical and commercial guidance on distributed renewable energy solutions, including solar and hybrid systems.
• Evaluate project feasibility, solution design, costing and overall commercial viability.
• Guide the team in developing practical and market-relevant DRE solutions.
• Keep track of emerging technologies, market trends and industry developments.

4. Project & Portfolio Management

• Provide overall oversight of key DRE projects from planning and implementation to evaluation and scale-up.
• Ensure projects are delivered within agreed timelines, budgets and quality standards.
• Review project performance and support the team in resolving key implementation challenges.
• Identify successful projects and models that can be replicated or scaled across geographies.

5. Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with government departments, CSR organisations, industry players and development partners.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for government, CSR and other forms of funding and partnerships.
• Represent SwitchON in relevant industry meetings, conferences, forums and stakeholder discussions.
• Strengthen SwitchON's network and positioning within the renewable energy ecosystem.

6. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Lead, mentor and support the DGM – DRE and the wider DRE team.
• Set clear responsibilities, priorities and performance expectations for the team.
• Build team capabilities in business development, project management, technical solutions and stakeholder engagement.
• Encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, innovation and continuous improvement.

7. Financial & Performance Management

• Support annual planning, budgeting and resource allocation for the DRE vertical.
• Monitor financial, operational and business performance against agreed targets.
• Track key performance indicators and provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Identify performance gaps and take corrective actions to improve results.

8. Sector Knowledge, Policy & Innovation

• Stay updated on renewable energy technologies, market trends, government policies and regulations.
• Identify new opportunities arising from changes in the renewable energy and DRE landscape.
• Encourage adoption of innovative technologies and business models within the vertical.
• Contribute to sector discussions, knowledge sharing and thought leadership initiatives.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

• Education: Degree in Renewable Energy, Engineering, Environmental Science or a related field. Qualification in Sales & Business Development will be an added advantage.
• Experience: 8-12 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, with experience in technical leadership, business development and project management.
• Network: Good network with government agencies, CSR partners, industry stakeholders and rural communities.
• Communication Skills: Strong communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Technical & Regulatory Knowledge: Good understanding of renewable energy technologies, policies, standards and regulations.
• Project Management: Experience in managing complex projects and working with multiple stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Experience in leading and mentoring teams and driving performance.
• Travel: Willingness to travel across India as required.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about sustainable development and improving energy access for marginalized communities.
• Innovative thinker with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of work.
• Willingness to travel extensively across India , including WB and MH and engage directly with communities and partners.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to the ED in Kolkata.
• Manages a team of approximately 10 members, spread across India

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is:

• Energy Expert – 8-12 years in distributed renewable energy with proven technical & business leadership
• Strategic Business Developer – Identifies opportunities; has referenceable techno-commercial experience
• Multi-Stakeholder Influencer – Comfortable with executives, policymakers, CSR heads, and rural communities
• Strong Networker – Extensive connections with government, CSR, industry, and rural sectors across India
• Mission-Driven – Passionate about clean energy access for marginalized communities; high integrity
• Pan-India Connector – Ground-level experience; willing to travel extensively; understands regional nuances
• Systems Thinker – Balances execution with strategy; stays current on industry trends & policy

Compensation

• Annual CTC: 16-18 Lakhs (Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and based on the last salary drawn).
• Reimbursement: Official travel, stay, and logistics as per organizational policy.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the application form and upload your updated CV and cover letter via the link - https://forms.gle/NmTGoJeumhFeSKkj8