Director Offshore Commercial Sales

Director Offshore Commercial Sales

Hybrid (prefered Plymouth, Aberdeen or London and WFH)

No recruiters

Overview

Founded in 2020, ACUA Ocean is a fast-growing and dynamic start-up at the intersection of ocean autonomy and maritime security. Our intelligent and scalable uncrewed surface vessel (USV) platform supports applications including environmental monitoring, offshore infrastructure resilience, coastal protection, and marine surveillance — all with minimal human footprint.

We are now hiring a Director Offshore Commercial Sales to join our growing Commercial Team, reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer. You will take ACUA Ocean’s uncrewed survey, inspection and monitoring capability to the offshore energy market. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of advanced uncrewed vessel technology in a collaborative and innovative environment.

Who you are:

• A commercially driven, strategically minded sales leader with 8+ years’ experience of closing deals in the offshore energy, marine survey or inspection sectors
• A dealmaker who is laser-focussed on converting opportunities and driving profitability
• A disciplined operator who brings structure, forecasting rigour, and pipeline management to an early-growth environment
• Fluent in how offshore projects are planned, tendered and delivered, from site characterisation and construction through operations, maintenance and decommissioning
• Able to sell a new way of working: you can make the case for uncrewed operations on cost, carbon, safety and data quality to technical, HSE and procurement buyers alike
• Safety-minded, with a strong appreciation of the HSEQ standards expected in offshore operations
• A collaborative leader who builds strong working relationships across Engineering, Operations, Finance and Partnerships, and works effectively with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and experience.
• You balance commercial considerations with operational and technical principles to inform your decision-making on pipeline prioritisation

What you’ll do:

• Own and deliver the offshore commercial revenue target, with an accurate, CRM-based pipeline and forecast for your accounts
• Take BD-qualified opportunities and lead them from capture through bid and negotiation to contract award
• Act as the primary account and relationship manager for offshore customers, including wind farm developers and operators, oil and gas operators, survey and IMR contractors, and subsea cable and interconnector owners
• Grow ACUA’s offshore services across hydrographic and geophysical survey, asset inspection, environmental and metocean monitoring, and offshore site security
• Shape commercial models with the CCO (day-rate charter, survey-as-a-service, data delivery and multi-year framework or call-off agreements) that win work and protect margin
• Secure and maintain supplier pre-qualification and vendor registrations (e.g. Achilles) with key operators and contractors
• Work with the CCO and CPO to build teaming and subcontract arrangements with survey contractors, vessel operators and data-processing partners
• Work with Operations to plan campaigns around weather windows and vessel availability, so that what is sold can be delivered safely and profitably
• Lead the preparation of offshore bids and tenders, working with Engineering and Operations on technical, HSEQ and delivery content, and negotiate new contracts
• Manage customer relationships post-award to drive retention, repeat campaigns and contract extensions
• Generate leads through your existing network, events, marketing and direct outreach to prospective clients
• Track offshore market activity (leasing rounds, project pipelines, O&M contracts and decommissioning programmes) across the UK, Europe and international markets
• Work with the CCO to set goals and develop the offshore revenue growth plan
• Regularly attend and present at industry events such as Global Offshore Wind, Oceanology International and Offshore Europe

What you’ll need:

• Proven track record of personally closing complex, high-value contracts with offshore energy operators, developers or tier-1 contractors
• Demonstrable experience leading end-to-end bid processes, from qualified opportunity through to contract award
• Strong understanding of offshore commercial procurement, including ITTs, framework agreements, call-off contracts and supplier pre-qualification
• Working knowledge of offshore contracting terms, including day-rate and lump-sum pricing, weather-downtime provisions, liabilities and knock-for-knock indemnities (e.g. LOGIC, BIMCO SUPPLYTIME)
• Credible track record in commercial negotiation, including pricing strategy, contract terms, and risk management
• Enough understanding of survey and inspection deliverables and the technologies behind them (e.g. multibeam, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiling, ROV/AUV inspection) to engage confidently with technical buyers
• Experience implementing or operating within structured sales processes and CRM systems with accurate forecasting discipline
• International sales experience, with working knowledge of cross-border contracting, compliance and export controls
• Background in marine survey, offshore renewables, subsea, autonomous systems or adjacent sectors (strongly desirable)
• Offshore survival certification (e.g. BOSIET or GWO Sea Survival), or willingness to obtain it (desirable)
• Willing to travel internationally, including occasional vessel and offshore visits
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills.
• A flexible approach and a willingness to apply yourself across the whole spectrum of this growing business.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Degree qualified, or equivalent experience
• A solid sense of humour, pragmatism, and flexibility

Benefits/Compensation:

• £95–120K salary depending on experience 💷
• Exceptional uncapped sales-based commission as a % of contract value. Estimated £200K commission pool per vessel sale
• EMI Share Options to 50% of the value of your first year’s salary, with four-year vesting and a one-year cliff
• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus Christmas closure 🏖️
• Comprehensive benefits package from Vitality - access to full health insurance including dental coverage 🏥
• Awesome perks such as discounted gym memberships, mental health cover and global health cover
• A hybrid work environment 🛠️
• Life insurance to 4x your annual salary
• Payment of professional fees