Holocene is seeking a commercially savvy, results-driven individual to work directly with our portfolio companies to build winning go-to-market strategies and close revenue. Working alongside founders and our post-investment team, you'll be responsible for accelerating revenue growth across our portfolio of African climate tech startups through strategic sales leadership and hands-on commercial support.As Commercial Director, you'll be the revenue growth catalyst for our portfolio companies. You'll work directly with founders to craft compelling sales strategies, build high-performing commercial processes, open doors to key customers and partners, and often roll up your sleeves to close deals alongside founding teams. You'll create immense value for startups by serving as a strategic partner on market positioning, customer acquisition, sales pipeline development, channel partnerships, and revenue scaling initiatives. You'll leverage your extensive B2B networks across Southern Africa to unlock opportunities and accelerate growth. Best of all, you'll be focused on accelerating the growth and impact of African climate tech.&nbsp;You'll have an opportunity to work alongside a world-class team of post-investment professionals and Executives in Residence. This is a rare chance to create scalable climate impact while leveraging your commercial expertise to drive real business outcomes in a fast-paced, innovative environment.The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of proven success in business development, sales leadership, or commercial roles, with a strong track record of consistently hitting or exceeding revenue targets. Deep B2B networks across Southern Africa and experience selling complex solutions to corporates, government, or enterprise clients is highly valued. You’ll thrive on building sales strategies from scratch, coaching founders on commercial execution, and getting hands-on to drive deals forward. A proven ability to open doors, build relationships, and close deals is essential. Experience in early-stage or high-growth environments is a big plus. A deep curiosity about climate tech and a desire to help entrepreneurs succeed are par for the course. The outcome will be an unparalleled experience and direct climate impact.If you're keen to put your commercial expertise to use as part of a fun, outdoor-loving, mission-driven startup team, then this is the role for you.<h2>Position details</h2>Position: Portfolio Commercial DirectorHours: Full time position or contractor subject to 6-month probationary periodReporting: Reports to General Partner&nbsp;Fixed Salary: $3,500 - 5,000 gross per month with flexibility based on FTE or contractor&nbsp;Equity: Available; to be discussedLocation: Ideally located in Cape Town or Stellenbosch, South Africa; can be remote&nbsp;Start date: 1 February 2026 or earlier&nbsp;<h2>Responsibilities</h2><h3>Commercial strategy development</h3>Work with portfolio companies to develop comprehensive go-to-market strategies including market positioning, customer segmentation, pricing strategies, and sales channel design. Craft compelling value propositions and sales narratives that resonate with target customers. Help founders build realistic revenue models and sales forecasts. Drive 5-10x commercial growth.&nbsp;<h3>Sales execution and support</h3>Roll up your sleeves to work directly with portfolio companies on active sales opportunities including pitch development, customer meetings, proposal preparation, and deal negotiation. Coach founders and sales teams on effective selling techniques, objection handling, and closing strategies. Help build and optimise sales processes, CRM systems, and pipeline management.<h3>Network activation and business development</h3>Leverage your extensive B2B networks to create warm introductions, open doors to key accounts, and unlock partnership opportunities for portfolio companies. Identify and facilitate strategic partnerships, channel relationships, and pilot opportunities that accelerate revenue growth. Represent portfolio companies at industry events and customer meetings.<h3>Revenue growth tracking and optimisation</h3>Monitor sales performance across the portfolio including pipeline health, conversion rates, and revenue metrics. Identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement in commercial operations. Share best practices and learnings across the portfolio to drive continuous improvement.<h3>Ecosystem development</h3>Build and maintain relationships with corporates, government entities, development finance institutions, and other potential customers and partners across the African climate tech landscape. Stay connected to market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to provide valuable insights to portfolio companies.<h2>Qualifications and experience</h2><ul><li>Passion or curiosity about climate, entrepreneurship and startups in Africa.</li><li>Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Engineering, or related field.</li><li>5+ years of proven experience in business development, sales, commercial leadership, or related revenue-generating roles with demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding targets.</li><li>Strong B2B networks across South Africa, ideally with relationships in corporates, government, or enterprise customers.</li><li>Experience selling complex or technical solutions, preferably in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, sustainability, or industrial markets.</li><li>Track record of building sales strategies and processes from scratch, ideally in early-stage or high-growth environments.</li><li>Experience coaching or mentoring sales teams is a plus.</li></ul><h2>Skills</h2><ul><li>Exceptional sales and business development skills with proven ability to open doors, build relationships, and close deals.</li><li>Strategic thinker who can craft compelling go-to-market strategies and commercial models.</li><li>Strong communicator with excellent presentation skills that can influence stakeholders at all levels.</li><li>Highly networked with eagerness to leverage relationships to create opportunities for portfolio companies.</li><li>Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort working in ambiguous, fast-paced startup environments.</li><li>Results-oriented with strong focus on execution and accountability for outcomes.</li><li>Excellent project management skills including ability to juggle multiple portfolio companies and opportunities simultaneously.</li><li>Self-starter who takes initiative and ownership with minimal supervision.</li><li>Deep empathy for founders and passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed.</li></ul>

Holocene is Southern Africa's leading early stage climate tech investor located in Cape Town, South Africa and investing across the African continent.

Portfolio Commercial Director

About the Job

About the Company

Holocene Ventures

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