Head of Renewables
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 01 Gorffennaf 2025 |
|---|---|
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 31 Gorffennaf 2025 |
| Lleoliad: | S41 9QJ |
| Cwmni: | Mitie |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 78177 |
Crynodeb
Custom Solar began 14 years ago as a fast-moving, entrepreneur-led organisation founded by Matthew Brailsford, focusing on the design, installation, and maintenance of world class solar systems for corporations and public sector institutions. Collaborating with finance partners like E.on, Centrica, Siemens, RBS Group, and Lombard, they have successfully delivered projects across various commercial environments, serving clients from FTSE- listed corporations to locally owned assets.
After catching the attention of Mitie, Custom Solar business was acquired as part of the group's Projects division. Custom Solar is now at a pivotal moment, operating at around £20 million turnover with the intention to reach £35 million by 2027 supported by a strong sales pipeline. This growth strategy includes potential acquisitions and plans to expand its services in battery storage, electric vehicle charging, and other renewable technologies, with the potential to scale to £50-£150M in the future. The focus is on maintaining a customer-centric and fast-paced culture while integrating the operational discipline and project governance expected of a larger PLC.
Mitie's aim is to strengthen Custom Solar's standing as the preeminent renewables provider within the group, offering an end-to-end service which takes clients from initial design through to long-term maintenance and support. Historically, leadership of this business has been strongly sales-driven, and the next phase of development calls for a leader who can blend commercial acumen with a more structured approach to running day-to-day operations. Balancing a hands-on, entrepreneurial spirit against the need to unify a workforce of around 65-85 people under Mitie's broader framework is central to the challenge. The team remains largely intact from its early start-up days and takes pride in its innovative edge, but it is now ready for someone capable of fostering consistent operational excellence, enhancing business improvement/efficiencies and productivity whilst inspiring them to operate as a cohesive unit.
The Head of Renewables position is designed to address precisely this balance and is tailored for a highly ambitious, entrepreneurial, and high-energy leader. Reporting to Matthew Brailsford - Head of Projects Construction & Development, the appointee will have full accountability for the profit and loss, project delivery, and culture of Custom Solar. They will need to demonstrate an ability to command respect and trust from a team that has been used to considerable autonomy, while also championing the methods and standards required to ensure the business can scale. Much of the role involves “winning hearts and minds,” as there is a genuine appetite for progress but a degree of caution around becoming overly corporate. By introducing proven methodologies in project execution, engineering excellence, and commercial rigour, the new Head of Renewables will provide the stability to deliver on current commitments and secure new revenue streams with major private and public sector clients. This role holds high visibility within Mitie's senior leadership and requires someone adept at navigating both the corporate environment and the dynamic, entrepreneurial culture that Matthew originally fostered.
Job OverviewThere is ample scope for someone with genuine leadership ambition to drive Custom Solar's strategic agenda. In addition to meeting demanding operational targets, the Head of Renewables will be encouraged to develop new service lines, explore high-value partnerships, and potentially guide acquisitions that could accelerate the business's scaling. By combining operational excellence, continuous improvement, effective stakeholder management and a willingness to embrace innovative ideas, the person appointed will be well placed to solidify Custom Solar's position at the forefront of Mitie's renewable energy offering. The role will suit an inspirational and hands-on leader who relishes the chance to modernise a business without stifling its entrepreneurial roots, and who is determined to help shape the future of the UK renewables industry and make a lasting impression.
The role is primarily based in Chesterfield and the successful candidate will be offered a competitive benefits package, with an attractive base salary, bonus scheme.
Key Opportunities Platform for Growth: Mitie's support, plus a strong project pipeline in Custom Solar, offers a real springboard for someone who can enhance their structure and build the right culture.Entrepreneurial Culture + PLC Backing: The selected Head of Renewables will be able to preserve an entrepreneurial spirit while benefiting from Mitie's corporate resources and brand.Opportunity to Make a Mark: The successful candidate has the opportunity to grow this business to £50+ million and beyond, potentially through further acquisitions—significantly enhancing their own profile in the process.Strong Existing Team: Despite the need for a more cohesive operational approach, there is considerable expertise within the division, and people are motivated by the renewables mission.
Main Duties
A proven Operational leader with 10+ years' experience in complex project delivery, ideally with an electrical or engineering background. Has in- depth knowledge of operational excellence, business improvement, strategic development, change management, business growth and a track record of delivering and exceeding standards, productivity, and performance improvement.
-Experience within renewables—particularly solar, or M&E contracting/civil engineering.
-P&L leadership: proven track record of delivering profitable growth for a >£20m business of comparable complexity and scale.
-Confident implementing governance, process discipline, and continuous improvement in a business that needs a step-change in operational rigour.
-Management of an organisation structure, people, and processes to support year-on-year growth in productivity and maintain consistently high performing supplier status with customers.
-A highly effective communicator and teambuilder who is effective at engaging and coordinating multi-disciplined resource, both internally and externally, with highly developed stakeholder engagement skills. Able to listen as well as challenge, with customer focus a high priority - outstanding customer relationships at the most senior industry levels.
-Authentic leadership style with excellent interpersonal skills, self-starting and able to take the initiative to deliver exceptional results.
-Strong gravitas and high level of resilience.
-Must be an engaging leader able to offer the “TLC” and stability that the team needs following the acquisition and bedding-in period.
-Comfortable commuting to Chesterfield 5 days a week.
-Energy, drive, and motivation to succeed in a fast-paced company.
-Experience of team organisational design, with the ability to continuously assess and develop the team's skills and capabilities, as well as the processes and capacity to deliver the overall operational strategy and high-performance culture.
What we are looking for
-Cultural fit - self-aware and honest; an inclusive leader who is focused on values and behaviours and builds teams by creating an enabling culture.
-A strong senior operator with an ability to engage colleagues in complex issues and stakeholder environments.
-An energetic, multitask leader, with an action and outcome bias.
-Adept at dealing with competing priorities and deadlines.
-Comfortable with a high degree of ambiguity and embraces change.
-Desired credentials but not essential - Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or another relevant disci
-Team player - champions teamwork and is a role model.
-Builds team commitment with trust, fairness and equity.
-Acts to build morale and cooperation and fosters cohesiveness and consensus.
-Thrives on problem-solving to understand the root cause of issues and strongly believes in the power of continuous improvement in all areas of the business.
-Acts proactively and thinks strategically in anticipating organisational needs, recognising the wider business environment and dynamics. Identifies and manages risk appropriately and utilises risk management in the best interests of the organisation and its stakeholders
After catching the attention of Mitie, Custom Solar business was acquired as part of the group's Projects division. Custom Solar is now at a pivotal moment, operating at around £20 million turnover with the intention to reach £35 million by 2027 supported by a strong sales pipeline. This growth strategy includes potential acquisitions and plans to expand its services in battery storage, electric vehicle charging, and other renewable technologies, with the potential to scale to £50-£150M in the future. The focus is on maintaining a customer-centric and fast-paced culture while integrating the operational discipline and project governance expected of a larger PLC.
Mitie's aim is to strengthen Custom Solar's standing as the preeminent renewables provider within the group, offering an end-to-end service which takes clients from initial design through to long-term maintenance and support. Historically, leadership of this business has been strongly sales-driven, and the next phase of development calls for a leader who can blend commercial acumen with a more structured approach to running day-to-day operations. Balancing a hands-on, entrepreneurial spirit against the need to unify a workforce of around 65-85 people under Mitie's broader framework is central to the challenge. The team remains largely intact from its early start-up days and takes pride in its innovative edge, but it is now ready for someone capable of fostering consistent operational excellence, enhancing business improvement/efficiencies and productivity whilst inspiring them to operate as a cohesive unit.
The Head of Renewables position is designed to address precisely this balance and is tailored for a highly ambitious, entrepreneurial, and high-energy leader. Reporting to Matthew Brailsford - Head of Projects Construction & Development, the appointee will have full accountability for the profit and loss, project delivery, and culture of Custom Solar. They will need to demonstrate an ability to command respect and trust from a team that has been used to considerable autonomy, while also championing the methods and standards required to ensure the business can scale. Much of the role involves “winning hearts and minds,” as there is a genuine appetite for progress but a degree of caution around becoming overly corporate. By introducing proven methodologies in project execution, engineering excellence, and commercial rigour, the new Head of Renewables will provide the stability to deliver on current commitments and secure new revenue streams with major private and public sector clients. This role holds high visibility within Mitie's senior leadership and requires someone adept at navigating both the corporate environment and the dynamic, entrepreneurial culture that Matthew originally fostered.
Job OverviewThere is ample scope for someone with genuine leadership ambition to drive Custom Solar's strategic agenda. In addition to meeting demanding operational targets, the Head of Renewables will be encouraged to develop new service lines, explore high-value partnerships, and potentially guide acquisitions that could accelerate the business's scaling. By combining operational excellence, continuous improvement, effective stakeholder management and a willingness to embrace innovative ideas, the person appointed will be well placed to solidify Custom Solar's position at the forefront of Mitie's renewable energy offering. The role will suit an inspirational and hands-on leader who relishes the chance to modernise a business without stifling its entrepreneurial roots, and who is determined to help shape the future of the UK renewables industry and make a lasting impression.
The role is primarily based in Chesterfield and the successful candidate will be offered a competitive benefits package, with an attractive base salary, bonus scheme.
Key Opportunities Platform for Growth: Mitie's support, plus a strong project pipeline in Custom Solar, offers a real springboard for someone who can enhance their structure and build the right culture.Entrepreneurial Culture + PLC Backing: The selected Head of Renewables will be able to preserve an entrepreneurial spirit while benefiting from Mitie's corporate resources and brand.Opportunity to Make a Mark: The successful candidate has the opportunity to grow this business to £50+ million and beyond, potentially through further acquisitions—significantly enhancing their own profile in the process.Strong Existing Team: Despite the need for a more cohesive operational approach, there is considerable expertise within the division, and people are motivated by the renewables mission.
Main Duties
A proven Operational leader with 10+ years' experience in complex project delivery, ideally with an electrical or engineering background. Has in- depth knowledge of operational excellence, business improvement, strategic development, change management, business growth and a track record of delivering and exceeding standards, productivity, and performance improvement.
-Experience within renewables—particularly solar, or M&E contracting/civil engineering.
-P&L leadership: proven track record of delivering profitable growth for a >£20m business of comparable complexity and scale.
-Confident implementing governance, process discipline, and continuous improvement in a business that needs a step-change in operational rigour.
-Management of an organisation structure, people, and processes to support year-on-year growth in productivity and maintain consistently high performing supplier status with customers.
-A highly effective communicator and teambuilder who is effective at engaging and coordinating multi-disciplined resource, both internally and externally, with highly developed stakeholder engagement skills. Able to listen as well as challenge, with customer focus a high priority - outstanding customer relationships at the most senior industry levels.
-Authentic leadership style with excellent interpersonal skills, self-starting and able to take the initiative to deliver exceptional results.
-Strong gravitas and high level of resilience.
-Must be an engaging leader able to offer the “TLC” and stability that the team needs following the acquisition and bedding-in period.
-Comfortable commuting to Chesterfield 5 days a week.
-Energy, drive, and motivation to succeed in a fast-paced company.
-Experience of team organisational design, with the ability to continuously assess and develop the team's skills and capabilities, as well as the processes and capacity to deliver the overall operational strategy and high-performance culture.
What we are looking for
-Cultural fit - self-aware and honest; an inclusive leader who is focused on values and behaviours and builds teams by creating an enabling culture.
-A strong senior operator with an ability to engage colleagues in complex issues and stakeholder environments.
-An energetic, multitask leader, with an action and outcome bias.
-Adept at dealing with competing priorities and deadlines.
-Comfortable with a high degree of ambiguity and embraces change.
-Desired credentials but not essential - Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or another relevant disci
-Team player - champions teamwork and is a role model.
-Builds team commitment with trust, fairness and equity.
-Acts to build morale and cooperation and fosters cohesiveness and consensus.
-Thrives on problem-solving to understand the root cause of issues and strongly believes in the power of continuous improvement in all areas of the business.
-Acts proactively and thinks strategically in anticipating organisational needs, recognising the wider business environment and dynamics. Identifies and manages risk appropriately and utilises risk management in the best interests of the organisation and its stakeholders