Senior Business Development & Key Account Manager - Italy (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:
South Pole’s Southern Europe (SEU) Sales team supports clients and prospects across Italy and the wider SEU region in advancing their corporate climate journey towards net-zero carbon emissions. As a Senior Business Development & Key Account Manager in Italy, you will be responsible for driving South Pole’s growth in the Italian market. You will act as the primary interface for strategic clients, fostering long-term relationships while identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities. You will collaborate closely with our global and regional sustainability experts to deliver tailor-made, high-impact climate solutions (carbon accounting, target setting, decarbonization roadmaps, and environmental certificates).
Main Tasks & Responsibilities:
Business Development:
Lead regional business development activities to expand South Pole’s market position in Italy, in alignment with the SEU regional go-to-market strategy.
Proactively identify and cultivate relationships with new strategic prospects, building a robust pipeline of climate-related opportunities.
Develop and execute compelling, customized commercial proposals by working cross-functionally with consultants and product experts.
Lead complex negotiations and finalize commercial agreements with new and existing clients.
Represent South Pole at key Italian and European industry events, conferences, and trade shows to build brand authority.
Key Account Management:
Serve as the main point of contact for a portfolio of existing clients, nurturing trusted, long-term partnerships.
Deepen client relationships through continuous engagement, understanding their unique stakeholder environment, and identifying up-selling and cross-selling opportunities (e.g., transitioning clients from certificate procurement to comprehensive advisory services).
Coordinate deliverables with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery and high-quality standards.
Proactively monitor client satisfaction and anticipate their future expectations within their climate journey.
Regional Contribution:
Provide market insights and feedback to the SEU Regional Director to inform local strategy and service development.
Act as an ambassador for the South Pole brand, instilling pride and motivating team members and clients alike.
Mentor junior team members and contribute to the collaborative spirit of the SEU and broader global team
Essential Skills and Experience:
University degree in Sustainability, Business, Engineering or a related field.
4+ years of proven business development/sales experience, with a strong preference for candidates with experience in the sustainability, climate action, or renewable energy field.
Proven track record in generating new leads and meeting/exceeding ambitious sales targets.
Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to identify and seize opportunities in a competitive and fast-paced market.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills in Italian and English (French or Spanish are considered a significant plus).
Advanced prioritization and time management skills, with a results-driven, self-directed mindset.
Genuine passion for the climate change industry and alignment with South Pole’s corporate values of integrity and respect.
Desired Skills and Experience
In-depth knowledge of carbon projects, environmental markets (Certificates/EACs/CACs), and climate advisory services.
Experience in leveraging Salesforce for opportunity management and reporting.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, international matrix environment.
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
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Milan, Italy
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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