Associate Director Business Development
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.
Your main focus area will be Business Development in Japan, engaging existing and prospect clients and exploring business opportunities related to South Pole’s main business lines, including Advisory services to support Japanese companies along their climate and sustainability journey and Environmental Certificates (such as carbon credits and Energy Attribute Certificates) for voluntary action or compliance purposes under emerging carbon pricing schemes in Japan (e.g. GX ETS and CORSIA). You will establish and manage partnerships of strategic importance for the establishment and growth of South Pole’s activities in Japan.
Additionally, as Managing Director Japan, you are responsible for the management and growth of South Pole’s operations in Japan. You will lead the revision of South Pole’s go-to-market strategy and business plan for Japan. You will oversee the operations of South Pole’s legal entity in Japan (i.e. South Pole Japan KK) and fulfil high level corporate governance functions for this specific legal entity, including membership in the Board of Directors of South Pole Japan KK.
Furthermore, with support from HR and in close coordination with the Head of Sales APAC and Head of Advisory APAC, you will contribute to global processes related to strategy and budgeting with a focus on Japan. You will create a staffing plan for operations in Japan and oversee the recruiting and onboarding process of a core team in Tokyo that is capable of successfully growing South Pole’s presence in Japan. You supervise and manage the performance of team members reporting directly to you, and contribute to the supervision and performance management of other team members in Japan who may report to other managers in the region.
Job Summary
Primary Responsibilities : Business Development
You will build strong long-term relationships with existing and new clients, contributing to the growth of South Pole’s market position in Japan
You will contribute to the development and implementation of the go-to-market strategy and business plan
Create new business opportunities to grow South Pole’s business around climate action in the region
Develop compelling offers and proposals together with South Pole’s portfolio team, our product experts and consultants
You will lead the creation of strategic partnerships with established organisations in Japan in order to accelerate South Pole’s market entry in Japan
You will develop tailor-made solutions, in close collaboration with other teams such as marketing, advisory and portfolio management, to help clients to manage their risks and seize opportunities associated with climate change.
You will proactively and independently expand South Pole’s carbon credits, energy attributes certificates and consultancy business in Japan, and in line with regional and individual business development targets; within this context you will take accountability for concluding commercial agreements with clients and business partners
Maintain client satisfaction with existing clients in Japan through regular contact and ensuring high- quality services
You will align closely with South Pole's project development teams to ensure a close alignment between Japanese market demands and the company's existing portfolio of carbon credits / EACs
Secondary Responsibilities : Managing Director, Japan
You will oversee the operations of South Pole’s legal entity in Japan and fulfil high level corporate governance functions for this specific legal entity, including membership in the Board of Directors of South Pole Japan KK
You will develop, coach and inspire a local team capable of successfully growing South Pole’s presence in Japan, including performance management and recruiting tasks
You will serve as the key liaison for legal, financial, and operational matters in Japan, in coordination with global functional teams
Fulfil high-level corporate governance responsibilities as the legal representative, ensuring compliance with all local laws and regulatory requirements
Cultivate a positive and inclusive office culture aligned with South Pole’s values and mission.
Requirements : Essential skills and experience
To succeed in this position, you must have:
University degree in Sustainability and/or Business related discipline
Japanese as native language
At least 15 years of proven business development/sales and management experience with a high preference for experience in the sustainability field (renewable energy or carbon markets), corporate responsibility, sustainable development and/or climate change)
Track record in generating new business development leads
Track record in meeting and exceeding sales targets
Understanding of the business drivers behind corporate climate action and related initiatives (e.g. GX ETS, CORSIA, RE100, carbon neutrality, SBTI, SBTN, TCFD, SSBJ) and the ability to formulate a business case
Strong drive for results, 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 English language skills, any other languages are a plus
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Genuine passion and alignment to the climate change industry
Desired skills and experience
Advanced prioritisation and time management skills.
Advanced skills in G-Suite applications
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.
- Department
- Key Account Management/Business Development
- Locations
- Tokyo
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Work-life balance
From flexible working hours to flexible workplace (home office), with above-average vacation allowances, we strive to make the work and family life puzzle an easy one for our employees.
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Flexible Vacation Benefits
Options to buy up to 5 extra days of time off.
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Life Insurance
Available to all employees across the world.
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Care for your Wellbeing
Access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program (TELUS Health).
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Parental leave
Should any of our employees need to take time off the Iceberg as a result of a new addition to their household, we are happy to be able to offer competitive Paid Parental leave to support them during this time.
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Compassionate Leave
Sometimes life is unpredictable, and when unfortunate events occur, we want to give you peace of mind so you feel fully supported during this time.
What makes us unique
At South Pole, we are first and foremost a purpose-driven Company. People join us because they believe in our mission and want to be part of a community that fights together for our shared values and beliefs. But that is not the only reason why working at South Pole is such a rewarding experience.
- We know that our vision to help create a greener world is both bold and challenging. To achieve it, we settle for nothing less than the absolute best. We form a Community that is stronger than the sum of its parts.
- Entrepreneurial at heart. It’s not just our founders who are entrepreneurs. We actively promote an innovative mindset at all levels of the organisation, where each and every employee is encouraged to challenge the status quo and empowered to make decisions.
- Growing employees in a growing company. With a team of smart, passionate and engaged colleagues, as well as increasing demand from our clients, opportunities to learn, develop our skills and grow our careers are endless.
- All for one, and one for all! Above all other things, what truly drives our dedication and commitment to our purpose is our colleagues. We learn from each other and grow together. Because that is who Penguins are.
About South Pole
Our story began in Zurich, with 5 friends* in 2002. They had a belief and a vision to shape and change the future of the world through climate empowerment, education and projects with their non-profit organisation; MyClimate. These ‘social entrepreneurs’ went on to pioneer climate change with the introduction of South Pole in 2006*. More than 20 years on, with the support of some of the most passionate and talented entrepreneurs around them, who are empowered to all play their part and with their founding belief in aligning purpose with passion, people and profit, they have created South Pole, an organisation that has gone onto positively impact the lives of over 20 million people across the world through its projects, saving over 20,000 km2 of forests from deforestation.
*Patrick Bürgi, Thomas Camerata, Renat Heuberger, Ingo Puhl, and Christoph Sutter
*2006 Joined by Marco Hirsbrunner and Christoph Grobel
Associate Director Business Development
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