Application Guide
How to Apply for Head of Business Development
at Derapi, Inc.
🏢 About Derapi, Inc.
Derapi, Inc. is uniquely positioned at the intersection of energy technology and sustainability, specializing in secure access to distributed energy resources (DERs). Unlike generic energy software companies, Derapi focuses specifically on simplifying complex DER integrations for utilities, aggregators, and energy retailers. Working here means contributing directly to grid modernization and accelerating the transition to renewable energy through practical, scalable solutions.
About This Role
As Head of Business Development at Derapi, you'll be responsible for driving revenue growth by building high-value partnerships across the DER ecosystem—including DERMS/VPP platforms, aggregators, finance, and O&M providers. This role is impactful because you'll shape the company's go-to-market strategy, create repeatable commercial frameworks, and ultimately expand Derapi's footprint in the rapidly evolving distributed energy market. You'll also build and lead the BD team over time, ensuring pipeline discipline and forecasting accuracy.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing pipeline metrics and prioritizing outreach to high-value DER ecosystem partners, such as DERMS platform providers or energy aggregators. You could spend mid-morning in cross-functional meetings with product and engineering teams to align on integration timelines for a new partnership, followed by preparing for an executive negotiation with a utility stakeholder that involves technical, commercial, and regulatory discussions. The day might end with coaching a BD team member on deal strategy or refining a go-to-market playbook for a new market segment.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Derapi, Inc. Is Looking For
- Has 7–12+ years in business development or enterprise sales within energy software, with proven experience closing complex, multi-stakeholder deals involving technical products like APIs and integrations.
- Demonstrates a track record of building predictable pipelines and establishing executive-level relationships (C-level) in the energy sector, particularly with DERMS/VPP platforms, aggregators, or utilities.
- Combines technical acumen (understanding of data/control reliability, integrations) with strong commercial framing and structured execution—able to align product, engineering, and customer success teams.
- Is a strategic operator who can develop go-to-market playbooks, pricing models, and partnership channels while navigating regulatory realities in the distributed energy space.
📝 Tips for Applying to Derapi, Inc.
Tailor your resume to highlight specific deals or partnerships you've built in energy software, especially with DERMS/VPP platforms, aggregators, or utilities—quantify revenue impact and stakeholder complexity.
Research Derapi's existing integrations or partners (if publicly available) and suggest one specific ecosystem relationship you'd prioritize in your first 90 days.
Prepare a brief case study (2–3 sentences) in your application materials describing how you've sold a technical product (e.g., APIs) with clear business framing to non-technical executives.
Emphasize your experience with multi-party negotiations that involve technical, commercial, and regulatory considerations—common in DER projects.
Avoid generic BD language; use terms from the job description like 'DERMS,' 'VPP platforms,' 'O&M,' and 'pipeline discipline' to show industry fluency.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain your direct experience in energy software BD, highlighting deals with DER stakeholders (e.g., aggregators, utilities) and how you've driven revenue growth in similar technical environments.", "Describe your approach to building repeatable go-to-market motions and commercial packaging, giving a concrete example of a playbook or pricing model you've developed.", "Demonstrate your ability to partner cross-functionally with product/engineering teams to align on customer outcomes and timelines—critical for Derapi's integrated solutions.", "Briefly outline how you'd build and lead a BD team at a scaling company like Derapi, referencing pipeline discipline and forecasting methods you've used."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study the distributed energy resource (DER) ecosystem—key players like DERMS providers, VPP platforms, aggregators, and O&M companies—and how Derapi might integrate with them.
- → Review Derapi's public messaging (website, blog, news) to understand their current partnerships, product focus, and vision for 'simplifying secure access to DERs.'
- → Investigate regulatory trends affecting DER adoption in the U.S., especially at the state level (e.g., CA, NY, TX), as this role requires navigating regulatory realities.
- → Look into competitors or similar companies in the DER software space to identify market gaps or opportunities Derapi could exploit.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with a generic BD or sales background without energy software experience—Derapi explicitly requires expertise in this niche.
- Failing to demonstrate structured thinking or execution skills; this role demands clean operational discipline for pipeline building and forecasting.
- Overlooking the technical aspects of the product (APIs, integrations) or being unable to discuss how you've sold similar technical solutions with business framing.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!