Business Development Associate - Financial Industry

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:

You will be responsible for maintaining and growing South Poles client base in the financial industry (i.e. banks, insurance, asset managers) by maintaining existing and winning new clients and expanding the markets, focusing on Carbon Offsetting and Renewable Energy Solutions as well as Consulting Solutions on Sustainable Finance and Environmental Sustainability.
You will be responsible for building South Pole’s presence in the financial industry. You will identify and assess market trends, business opportunities and growth potential. 

Main tasks & responsibilities:

• Grow business by winning new clients in collaboration with local team and sector lead financial institutions 
• Manage key accounts and strengthen client relationships
• Maintain client satisfaction by ensuring high quality services
• Identify market trends, client needs and new business opportunities
• Develop compelling proposals together with the sales team and our product experts and consultants
• Collaborate with the marketing team to design local campaigns
• Conclude commercial agreements with clients and partners
• Provide critical inputs to the country manager and sector lead to help defining the regional go-to-market strategy and jointly develop local sales strategies
• Represent South Pole in client meetings, at conference and trade shows
• Share experience and knowledge across teams and across the regions

Requirements:

Essential -

• University degree in sustainability, finance and/or business related discipline
• Relevant work experience in the field of sustainable finance, sustainability (renewable energy, carbon markets), corporate responsibility, sustainable development and/or climate change
• Relatable experience in a client-facing role in the financial sector and / or working with financial institutions
• Industry-relevant knowledge, especially in the climate action and consultancy space, with a network of potential clients, partners, associations and other relevant stakeholders
• Sound understanding of the business drivers behind corporate climate actions and initiatives (eg SBT, RE100, carbon neutrality) and the ability to formulate a business case
• Excellent stakeholder and client management skills
• Strong drive for results, action-oriented, with self-direction and sense of urgency
• Ability to challenge the status quo and think out of the box
• 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 within strong business and commercial acumen
• Ability to successfully navigate complexity and effectively deal with ambiguity
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Excellent German and English skills, any other languages is a plus 

Desirable - 

• Entrepreneurial mindset, sense of responsibility and willingness to take initiative
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced international environment
• Entrepreneurial mindset, sense of responsibility and willingness to take initiative

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.