Application Guide

How to Apply for New Business Lead

at Octopus Energy

🏢 About Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy is redefining the energy sector with a tech-driven, customer-centric approach that leverages AI and renewables to achieve a low CO2 future. Their unique culture of transparency and innovation, combined with a track record of disrupting traditional utilities, makes them an exciting place for entrepreneurial minds.

About This Role

As New Business Lead, you'll identify and validate new market opportunities in Africa, owning the entire process from customer discovery to building a local team. This role is high-impact because you'll be responsible for turning ideas into viable businesses, directly contributing to Octopus's global expansion and mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with analyzing market data from a target African country, followed by a call with local agents to understand customer pain points. You'd then spend time refining the unit economics model and meeting with the finance team to align on viability, before drafting a plan to recruit the first local hires.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Octopus Energy Is Looking For

  • You thrive in ambiguity, using structured analysis to size opportunities and define unit economics from scratch.
  • You have a strong sense of ownership and personal agency, taking accountability for business viability.
  • You are comfortable with extensive travel and potential relocation to African markets, immersing yourself in local contexts.
  • You possess a blend of strategic thinking and operational execution, able to build teams and processes as you scale.

📝 Tips for Applying to Octopus Energy

1

Highlight specific examples where you've built a business case from scratch, including sizing a market and defining unit economics.

2

Demonstrate your comfort with ambiguity by describing a project where you operated without clear infrastructure or precedent.

3

Show your willingness to travel/relocate by mentioning past experiences in emerging markets or cross-cultural work.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize analytical rigor and detail orientation, using metrics and structured problem-solving.

5

Research Octopus Energy's existing international expansions and reference how your skills align with their approach.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your ability to combine analytical rigor with entrepreneurial action in uncertain environments.', 'Specific examples of market sizing, commercial strategy, or building operations from the ground up.', "Your passion for Octopus's mission and how your work in African markets can drive their low-CO2 goals.", 'Your readiness for extensive travel and long-term engagement in African markets, including any relevant language skills or cultural knowledge.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study Octopus Energy's existing international markets (e.g., US, Europe, Asia) to understand their expansion playbook.
  • → Read about their technology platform (Kraken) and how it enables customer-centric operations and AI-driven insights.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the energy landscape in target African markets, including regulatory challenges and renewable potential.
  • → Review Octopus's company culture and values, especially their emphasis on 'love your customers' and 'find a way'.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would size a new market opportunity for Octopus Energy in an African country.
2 Describe a time you had to make a decision with incomplete data; how did you proceed and what was the outcome?
3 How would you build a local team from scratch in a market with limited talent pool?
4 What metrics would you use to validate whether a new business is viable?
5 How do you balance short-term execution with long-term strategic goals in a high-uncertainty environment?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid vague statements about 'passion for energy' without concrete examples of analytical or entrepreneurial work.
  • Don't underestimate the travel/relocation requirement; be clear about your willingness and ability to commit.
  • Steer clear of generic business development language; focus on the specific blend of analysis and ownership this role demands.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Octopus Energy !

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