Senior Key Account Manager, North America

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Our Sales & Business Development team works hand in hand with our clients to help them identify the right products and solutions to address their sustainability challenges. Whether they are corporate clients or public institutions, whether they are looking to offset their carbon emissions or to engage in a comprehensive sustainability journey, we have a solution that will generate a lasting impact and take them a step further in their social ambitions. If you are a smart, ambitious and dynamic sustainability professional with a strong passion to make a real difference in the fight against climate change, the below position may be right for you!

Job summary: The goal of the Senior Key Account Manager is to grow South Pole’s business in the USA & Canada.

You will build strong long-term relationships with new strategic clients as well as build South Pole’s market position in North America. You will contribute to defining and implementing the go-to-market strategy in your region and provide input on product and service development. In addition, you will also contribute to growing existing accounts through up- and cross-selling of our products and solutions.

Main tasks & responsibilities:

Business Development

• Contribute to all aspects of regional business development activities

• Provide critical inputs to the Director of Sales to help defining the regional go-to-market strategy and develop local sales strategies

• Understand and qualify client needs and develop tailored solutions

• Build a target list of key corporates within your region and pursue them with determination and perseverance

• Develop compelling offers and proposals together with our product experts and consultants

• Lead negotiations and conclude commercial agreements with key clients

• Build long term relationships with new and existing clients by ensuring high-quality services

• Represent South Pole in client meetings, at conferences and virtual events

• Identify market trends and provide inputs for product & service development

• Instill pride in the South Pole brand, inspire & motivate clients to take the next step in their climate journey

• Develop and improve specialized skills and knowledge linked to topics and services offered by South Pole

• Support the development of South Pole’s thought leadership, services, products, marketing materials and offerings; adapt them to the regional needs in coordination with the marketing team Lead and directly manage a small team of sales professionals

Key Account Management

• Be the main point of contact for a portfolio of existing clients and build trusted relationships

• Strengthen relationships with our clients and grow them into strategic key accounts through effective planning

• Manage negotiation and finalise deals with new and existing clients

• Coordinate deliverables with our implementation team

• Ensure client satisfaction by maintaining the high-quality standard of our services and anticipating their expectations

• Manage proactively the client relationships and position South Pole as their preferred partner in the sustainability field

• Understand client needs and their stakeholder environment to identify further business development opportunities

• Be involved in writing compelling proposals and contract preparation

• Participate in targeted client communication and joint marketing activities

• Represent South Pole in client meetings, site visits, at conferences and trade shows

• Provide inputs for product & service development

• Share know-how and market feedback within the company

• Contribute to the sustainable commercial success of the team and the company

• Instil pride in the South Pole brand, inspire team members

• Manage one to three team members

Requirements:

Essential -

• University degree in Sustainability and/or Business related discipline

• At least 8 years of proven business development/sales experience with a high preference for experience in the sustainability and/or climate field

• Track record in generating new leads

• Track record in meeting and exceeding sales targets

• Results-driven and action-oriented with self-direction and sense of urgency

• Demonstrable commercial skills and good business sense so as to be able to identify and seize opportunities in a challenging and competitive market environment

• Critical thinking and decision-making skills with strong business and commercial acumen

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, in English

• Advanced prioritisation and time management skills

• Genuine passion and alignment to the climate change industry 

Desirable - 

 The following skills and experience are considered as a plus:

• Climate action and carbon projects knowledge

• Experience with solution selling and working with technical consultants

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced international environment

• Experience using Salesforce

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation. 

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make; South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.