Regional Associate Director, Business Development.. Milano

Regional Associate Director, Business Development..
Milano
Lombardia, Milano

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 transformation to a net-zero emissions economy requires private companies to set ambitious climate targets and engage in bold climate action.

The purpose of this leadership role is to create environmental impact and drive South Pole's business in Southern Europe, one of the fastest growing markets of the Climate Solutions business line.

You will oversee our business activities in the region, with a primary focus on business development and key account management.

You will establish the regional go-to-market strategy, define the annual budget and be accountable for the business performance of Southern Europe.

You will also work in close collaboration with our regional and global marketing and implementation teams to develop our solutions and seize new opportunities.

To achieve this, you will lead, develop, and inspire our multifaceted and passionate regional teams to deliver strong value to all our clients and to advance the climate agenda with impact and pride in a dynamic and fast paced working environment.

**Main tasks & responsibilities**:

- Strategy: Lead and drive South Pole's Business development in Southern Europe (SEU) in close collaboration with the Head of Climate Solutions SEU by defining and implementing the regional go-to-market strategy and ensuring South Pole has the resources and ability to deliver the environmental impact and commercial results.

- Team development: Directly lead, develop and inspire the regional team of business development and key account managers to ensure they deliver to their fullest potential.

In addition you also provide business guidance for regional marketing and implementation teams by providing inputs to recruitment, target setting and performance evaluations.

- Business Development: grow South Pole's market presence in Southern Europe by driving and guiding the identification and creation of new business opportunities, negotiation and closure of deals with existing and new clients, and the coordination of deliverables with our implementation teams.

- Client experience: Ensure a smooth and inspiring client experience, from the first contact until the successful delivery of our solutions by partnering closely with all of South Pole's functional teams, such as marketing, implementation, and post-sales.

- Solutions Development: Contribute to the improvement and development of existing and new solutions by translating and providing client and market feedback to the marketing and implementation team.

- Budget Responsibility: Establish the annual regional budget of the Climate Solutions business line in close collaboration with the Head of Climate Solutions SEU and be accountable for the commercial performance of the region.

- Commercial Accountability: Ensure sound commercial judgment by taking accountability for the conclusion of business agreements with clients and business partners in the region

- Lead & Inspire: Represent South Pole in meetings, at events, conferences and inspire clients, partners and employees to accelerate the fight against climate change

**Requirements**:

Essential

- Strong drive and desire to help solving one of the world's biggest challenges - climate change - with compelling, scientifically robust and commercially sound solutions

- University degree in Environmental Sciences, Business or other relevant discipline

- Senior commercial or business development leader with at least 5-10 years of extensive work experience, including relevant experience in a people management capacity

- Working experience in sustainability, or at least strong understanding of the most important drivers for corporate climate action

- Sound knowledge of at least one of the following fields: carbon markets, renewable energy, corporate responsibility, sustainable development or climate change

- Strong business acumen and proven track record in relationship building and negotiation with clients, and