gtag('config', 'G-6TW216G7W9', { 'user_id': wix.currentUser.id });
top of page

Kirk, Director, Business Development - Clean Energy Transition at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS): Advize Career Interview

A career in clean energy transition offers diverse and impactful opportunities, as evidenced by a Director, Business Development's journey.

This professional's path began with environmental engineering and consulting, transitioning strategically into business development within the maritime industry.

The role involves project origination, client relationship management, and securing funding for innovative clean energy solutions.

Success requires proactive client outreach, a high volume of project development (due to inherent challenges), and bridging technical expertise with business needs.

The maritime industry's global collaboration on decarbonization is highlighted as particularly rewarding, although navigating industry risk aversion presents a key challenge.

Entry-level positions include internships, analyst roles, and business development opportunities focusing on sales and market analysis.

A strong technical foundation paired with an understanding of business demands is crucial, and consistent review of long-term career goals is vital for success.

This career path emphasizes the importance of aligning personal interests with professional pursuits, resulting in a fulfilling and impactful role in a rapidly evolving industry.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Kirk Waltz

Director, Business Development - Clean Energy Transition

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (MS), Rice University (MBA)

Engineering - Civil, Engineering - Environmental

Environment

Sales and Client Management

None Applicable

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career path of a Business Development Director Clean Energy Transition at American Bureau of Shipping

Kirk's career trajectory showcases a deliberate shift from environmental engineering ("environmental remediation, water treatment") and consulting roles at Parsons Corporation and Arch Rock to business development, culminating in their current position at American Bureau of Shipping focusing on "the maritime industry in the environmental compliance space." This progression reflects a consistent interest in environmental compliance within evolving industry contexts, demonstrating a clear career intention to transition from technical expertise to broader business leadership.

Career path of a Business Development Director Clean Energy Transition at American Bureau of Shipping

Main Responsibilities Of A Director, Business Development Clean Energy Transition At American Bureau Of Shipping

Kirk's role as Director, Business Development focuses on "project origination and project development," acting as a "technical guide" bridging technical consulting and business needs within the clean energy transition. This involves cultivating client relationships, assembling project teams, and identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies aligned with ESG goals and energy transition plans.

Main Responsibilities Of A Director, Business Development Clean Energy Transition At American Bureau Of Shipping

A Day In The Life Of A Clean Energy Business Development Director At American Bureau Of Shipping

A Business Development Director's day involves a blend of "looking for new project ideas and funding opportunities," maintaining client relationships, and overseeing ongoing projects. The role focuses less on technical execution and more on aligning client goals with project delivery, actively seeking new industry opportunities, and securing funding to bring concepts to fruition.

A Day In The Life Of A Clean Energy Business Development Director At American Bureau Of Shipping

Most Important Skills for a Director Business Development Clean Energy Transition at ABS

To succeed as a Director, Business Development in clean energy transition, a proactive approach to client outreach is crucial, actively developing "a lot of potential projects" is key because "most projects never get off the ground". This requires a high volume of opportunities to compensate for the inherent challenges in project feasibility and launch.

Most Important Skills for a Director Business Development Clean Energy Transition at ABS

Favorite Parts of Being a Director Business Development Clean Energy Transition at ABS

Kirk enjoys the "broad array of potential opportunities and projects" in their role at ABS, driven by the maritime industry's strong interest in decarbonization and new technologies, allowing "curiosity to rule the day" in exploring impactful solutions. This variety keeps their work engaging and allows them to contribute across many areas of the clean energy transition.

Favorite Parts of Being a Director Business Development Clean Energy Transition at ABS

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Business Development Clean Energy Transition At American Bureau Of Shipping

Kirk's biggest challenge as Director, Business Development - Clean Energy Transition at ABS is the abundance of promising clean energy concepts for the maritime industry, but a "high-risk avoidance" within the industry slows adoption of new technologies, making "a slow, long-term process to actually make these projects work out successfully." The challenge lies in finding enough clients to execute these numerous innovative ideas.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Business Development Clean Energy Transition At American Bureau Of Shipping

Favorite Parts of Working in the Maritime Industry as a Clean Energy Business Development Director

Kirk, a Director of Business Development in clean energy transition, finds the maritime industry's global collaboration towards decarbonization particularly rewarding, noting that "everyone is acting and behaving very collectively and cooperatively". The sharing of "lessons learned around the globe" to create a positive impact on the industry is a highlight of this experience.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Maritime Industry as a Clean Energy Business Development Director

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Clean Energy Transition Industry, According To A Business Development Director At American Bureau Of Shipping

Kirk, a Director of Business Development in clean energy transition at ABS, notes that deep domain expertise provides a significant advantage in the maritime industry, although their own background in bringing "new ideas and new technologies" has also proven valuable. Long-term success within the organization and industry, however, is often linked to "domain expertise."

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Clean Energy Transition Industry, According To A Business Development Director At American Bureau Of Shipping

What a Clean Energy Business Development Director at ABS wishes they had known before entering the Clean Energy industry

Kirk, a Director of Business Development with an engineering background, found the transition to a business development role surprisingly different, noting that "business development requires a bit more...rigor," than the more linear approach of engineering. The learning curve involved adapting their work style, but mentorship and on-the-job experience helped bridge the gap.

What a Clean Energy Business Development Director at ABS wishes they had known before entering the Clean Energy industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Clean Energy Business Development Analysts

For undergraduate students interested in clean energy transition, entry-level roles at ABS include "internship opportunities" and maritime-focused analyst positions offering "technical learnings." Business development also presents opportunities in sales and market analysis, providing a "technical side of...business development approach."

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Clean Energy Business Development Analysts

Significant Career Lesson From A Director Clean Energy Transition At ABS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kirk learned the importance of defining and regularly reviewing "long-term, midterm, and short-term career goals," a process that ultimately led Kirk back to the marine industry and environmental consulting by prioritizing personal interests over short-term career advancements. This focus on aligning work with long-term aspirations, Kirk suggests, is "critical to… always review and stay focused."

Significant Career Lesson From A Director Clean Energy Transition At ABS

College Experiences That Helped a Director Business Development Clean Energy Transition at American Bureau of Shipping Succeed

Kirk's undergraduate and graduate studies in environmental engineering provided a strong technical foundation, allowing him to focus on "novel ideas" and understand both "business demands and technical demands." This early focus on bridging technical requirements with industry needs directly translates to his current role in clean energy transition business development, where the successful deployment of new technologies hinges on this very skillset.

College Experiences That Helped a Director Business Development Clean Energy Transition at American Bureau of Shipping Succeed
bottom of page