Head of Mining, PowerGen Renewable Energy

PowerGen Renewable Energy is a renewable energy platform providing clean, reliable, and affordable power across Sub-Saharan Africa. Through its Commercial & Industrial (C&I) and Metro-grid business lines, PowerGen develops, finances, owns, and operates distributed solar and storage assets that replace diesel generation and expand grid access. The company has installed more than 325 renewable systems (10 MW / 24 MWh) and manages over 35,000 customers. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Kenya, the company operates primarily in Kenya, Nigeria, DRC, Liberia and Sierra Leone with substantial international expansion plans.

Historically dependent on volatile and polluting diesel or heavy fuel oil (HFO), mining operators across Africa are rapidly pivoting towards clean, reliable energy alternatives to reduce operational costs, secure uninterrupted operations, and meet aggressive global decarbonisation targets. Utilising its strong track record in renewable energy solutions, established financial backing, and strong OEM relationships, PowerGen is actively targeting opportunities to supply energy to mining customers across the Continent.

About the role

The Head of Mining role will support PowerGen’s expansion in the mining sector by driving the entire sales process from originating opportunities and building a strong pipeline of mining-sector C&I energy projects to shaping and ultimately signing PPAs with mines.

Key dimensions of the role

The Head of Mining will have the following core responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Oversight: Lead the creation and execution of PowerGen’s business development strategy for the mining sector, driving pipeline growth, market expansion, and partnership opportunities while ensuring all projects meet financial, regulatory, and strategic criteria for bankability.
• Pipeline & Opportunity Development: Identify and analyse new mining-sector opportunities, prepare business cases, proposals, budgets, and cost estimates, and coordinate with internal teams to ensure projects are ready for execution.
• Client Engagement & Stakeholder Management: Oversee client engagement, maintain strong relationships with mining clients, partners, advisors and other stakeholders, and support revenue generation through innovative business models and deal structuring.
• Market Intelligence & Product-Market Fit: Gather and analyze market insights, competitor activity, and client feedback to refine PowerGen’s solutions, value proposition, and strategic approach for mining clients.
• Process Improvement & Team Enablement: Continuously improve business development processes, tools, and reporting.

Skills and experience

Candidates for the Head of Mining position will possess the following skills, experience and approach:

• At least 7 years’ sales, business or project development experience in Africa gained ideally selling to major mining sector clients or in the African renewable energy industry.
• Ideally candidates will be familiar with mining operations or the supply of energy to energy intensive off takers. Knowledge of associated regulatory environments an advantage.
• An established base of senior level African mining sector relationships or a proven ability to build relationships with senior mining-sector stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to understand customer needs, shape commercial propositions and influence buying decisions.
• Experience in pipeline management, proposal development, and financial modelling.
• Well-developed and compelling written and verbal communications skills, credible at CEO, CFO and General Manager level.
• Self-starting and sustaining with a proven ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple opportunities.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively. Priority markets include Guinea, Liberia, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Benin but are likely to expand to include Southern Africa.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that individuals from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet every listed qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are committed to supporting our clients in building diverse and inclusive teams. If you’re enthusiastic about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - you could be exactly what our client is looking for, either for this position or another.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to respond to candidates who are shortlisted for the next stage of the process. We sincerely appreciate your interest and the time taken to apply.

Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.