Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Commercial Manager - 12 month FTC
at OVO Energy
🏢 About OVO Energy
OVO Energy is a UK-based energy company on a mission to make energy cheaper, greener, and simpler. As a certified B Corp and one of the largest independent energy suppliers, OVO is at the forefront of the low-carbon transition, offering dynamic products like smart tariffs and EV charging solutions. Working here means contributing to a sustainable future while being part of a fast-paced, innovative culture that values purpose and impact.
About This Role
This 12-month fixed-term Senior Commercial Manager role is pivotal to OVO's EV charging business, where you'll own the end-to-end strategy for installation services. You will drive commercial performance by managing the full P&L, building strategic partnerships, and optimizing digital sales funnels to boost conversion. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape a growing segment in the renewable energy space.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing the previous day's sales funnel performance and conversion metrics, followed by a meeting with the technical design survey team to discuss installation bottlenecks. You'll then negotiate terms with a new supplier for charger hardware, and end the day collaborating with marketing on a campaign to drive more leads. Throughout, you'll monitor the P&L and adjust pricing strategies based on margin analysis.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who OVO Energy Is Looking For
- A strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen, able to identify opportunities in the EV charging market and translate them into profitable strategies.
- Experienced in full P&L management, including unit economics and margin analysis, with a track record of building budget models and performance reports.
- Skilled in negotiation and stakeholder management, with experience forming and managing strategic partnerships and supplier relationships.
- Background in energy retail, digital e-commerce, or low carbon technologies, with a genuine interest in sustainability and the EV ecosystem.
📝 Tips for Applying to OVO Energy
Tailor your CV to highlight specific P&L ownership examples, including revenue growth, cost management, and margin improvement metrics.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience in energy retail or low carbon tech to OVO's mission of making energy greener and simpler.
Demonstrate your understanding of the EV charger installation business by mentioning key challenges like conversion rates, supply chain, or regulatory factors.
Showcase any experience with digital sales funnels or e-commerce platforms, as improving conversion rates is a core responsibility.
Research OVO's current EV products (e.g., OVO Drive, Charge Anytime) and mention how your skills can enhance their commercial success.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for sustainability and how this role aligns with OVO's mission to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy.", "Concrete examples of driving commercial performance through P&L management, with specific numbers (e.g., 'Increased margin by 15% through supplier renegotiation').", 'Your experience building partnerships and managing cross-functional teams, especially in a fast-growth environment.', 'Your strategic vision for the EV charger installation business, including ideas on pricing, sales channels, and customer experience.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read OVO's latest sustainability report and B Corp impact assessment to understand their environmental and social goals.
- → Review OVO's EV products and services, including tariffs like 'Charge Anytime' and partnerships with charger manufacturers.
- → Familiarize yourself with the UK EV charging market trends, including government incentives (e.g., EVHS grant) and competitor offerings.
- → Look into OVO's company culture, values ('Better Future', 'One Team'), and recent news about their growth or challenges.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on financial metrics without linking them to customer experience or sustainability outcomes.
- Providing generic partnership examples without demonstrating how they align with OVO's specific strategic needs.
- Neglecting to mention the 12-month fixed-term nature of the role and how you would deliver impact within that timeframe.
📅 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!