Business Development Specialist - Southern Europe
Climate action is our business. At South Pole we develop and finance projects that cut emissions worldwide. Join a global team turning climate ambition into real impact — apply today.
South Pole is a global climate solutions company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a climate-smart society. Since 2006, we've turned climate action into real-world impact — developing and financing emission-reduction projects, advising organizations on their path to net zero, and building one of the world's largest portfolios of carbon and renewable energy projects.
From our roots as an ETH Zurich spin-off to teams across the globe, we work with Fortune 500 companies, governments, foundations and NGOs to tackle the climate challenge from every angle: carbon finance, renewable energy, sustainable land use, climate strategy and beyond.
Join us and help build a more sustainable future — one project, one partnership, one climate solution at a time.
The role
The Sales Team is responsible for South Pole’s Key Account Management (KAM) and Business Development (BD) for South Pole’s advisory and certificates services. The team supports clients and prospects in advancing their corporate climate journey towards net-zero carbon emissions. Corporate needs and challenges are recognised, and tailored solutions are developed.
South Pole builds on a unique portfolio to support companies all through their climate journey: carbon accounting, ambition and target setting, reduction roadmaps, climate risks and opportunities, and climate-related financial disclosure. South Pole’s approach is characterised by integrity and respect towards clients, colleagues, and the environment. People are our main asset. We grow individually and jointly to unfold the potential of each team member. We instill pride in our diversity and enjoy the fun of working in a truly global team.
The focus of the Business Development Specialist is to increase our sustainability and climate impact by growing South Pole’s business in France, in coordination with the South Pole region covering France, Belgium and Luxemburg. In this role, (1) you support new business development of strategic prospects with all South Pole’s services and (2) you are responsible for a portfolio of clients and qualified prospects. You proactively manage the relationship with existing clients and prospects; you understand their needs; you develop tailor-made solutions and you work on offers and proposals. You handle negotiations of deals with clients and prospects.
Main tasks & responsibilities:
Be the main point of contact for a portfolio of existing clients and build trusted relationships with prospects
Understand client needs and their stakeholder environment to identify further business development opportunities
Proactively strengthen relationships with our clients and position South Pole as their preferred partner in the climate solutions field
When needed, manage negotiation and finalise deals with new and existing clients
Be involved in writing compelling proposals and contract preparation
Ensure client satisfaction by maintaining the high-quality standard of our services and anticipating their expectations
Attend conferences, trade shows and events to represent South Pole prospect meetings
Share know-how and market feedback within the company proactively
Contribute to the sustainable commercial success of the team and the company
Instill pride in the South Pole brand, inspire team members
What we're looking for
University degree in Sustainability and/or Business related discipline
At least 1-2 years of work experience with a high preference for experience in sales and/or the climate field
Track record in meeting and exceeding targets of any kind Results-driven and action-oriented with self-direction and sense of urgency
Excellent communication and presentation skills, in English and French (italian or other languages will be considered as a plus)
Advanced prioritisation and time management skills
Genuine passion and alignment to the climate change industry
Desired skills and experience
Climate action and carbon projects knowledge
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 and 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
- Certificates
- Role
- Sales
- Locations
- Paris, France
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Employment type
- Full-time
Paris, France
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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