Lead-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 SwitchONs 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