VP, Sales

Risilience is seeking to employ a VP, Sales to join us in our mission to help tackle climate change, one of the biggest systemic threats facing the planet today.

We have developed a unique modelling and analytics platform to help corporations assess their risks and opportunities presented by rising temperatures, climate-related policy, and emerging technologies in our changing world.

Our SaaS solutions help companies produce climate-related compliance analytics, navigate their pathway to Net Zero, and perform scientifically based cost-benefit comparisons of emission reduction strategies versus their risks. We also offer enterprise-level risk analytics for a wide variety of non-climate-change threats and trends.  We have a blue-chip client base with a growing list of globally recognised brands. The pedigree of our solutions is supported by our deep academic roots that go back to the Business School at the University of Cambridge (UK) and the close ties we maintain to the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies.

Our business received Series B funding in Q1 2023 and is growing rapidly towards the next round of investment. Benefits include competitive cash compensation, including commission, as well as stock options, retirement and health benefits, remote and flexible working, and a commitment to staff diversity.

Role Details

We are looking for a UK-based VP of Sales to build and grow Risilience’s sales efforts across the UK and Europe. The ideal candidate has a successful track record in enterprise technology sales, developing new relationships with Tier-1 multinational companies, preferably within a fast-growing SaaS company. They will also have experience developing relationships with Chief Financial Officers, Chief Sustainability Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Climate Change Officers/ Policy Officers and other C-suite executives within multinational companies.

This role will be part of the sales leadership team with responsibility for selling new subscriptions of our Climate and Nature Analytics Platform, as well as our Enterprise Risk Solutions.

The successful candidate will:

• Meet established sales targets, while developing and enhancing strong relationships with clients, prospects, partners, industry leaders, and other external stakeholders
• Manage the full sales lifecycle from lead generation through qualification, presentation, proposal, negotiation, and contracting
• Build and execute on robust accounts plans for target organisations including the ongoing relationship management of existing customers
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential clients through a consultative, solutions-based approach to selling
• Lead the development and submission of all proposals (RFIs, RFPs) in the region
• Proactively monitor and strive to maintain high levels of quality, accuracy, and process consistency in the sales organisation’s overall planning & operations related efforts
• Suggest improvements to existing sales processes and activities and help in their implementation to ensure continuous improvement in sales effectiveness – sales competencies, productivity metrics, quota planning, departmental communications, etc
• Work with the Sales leadership team to set annual and quarterly sales goals, and provide current forecasts and regular pipeline information to senior management
• Work closely with Risilience’s Marketing department to coordinate lead generation activities and pipeline development
• Develop strong relationships with Product, Environmental Analytics, and other colleagues across the organisation to leverage their expertise throughout the sales cycle
• Represent the company at industry and company-sponsored events
• Position requires travel (domestic and international)

Essential Skills

• Extensive sales experience within technology-based businesses; preferably SaaS and enterprise sales to large multinational corporations
• Experience developing relationships with C-suite executives
• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree is required, preferably in Sustainability, Finance, Economics, or other similar area
• Solid strategic planning skills combined with exceptional execution capabilities
• Consistent track record of achieving sales targets
• Ability to influence key decision makers during the full life cycle of the sale; ability to sell using a needs/solutions-based approach
• Excellent people and stakeholder management skills, including proven ability to navigate a global and matrixed organisation
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills as well as outstanding client relationship management experience
• Mastery of Salesforce (or equivalent) for account planning, reporting, forecasting, territory management and tracking and achievement of sales targets
• Outstanding problem-solving skills, with strong ability to drive towards action and impact. Collaborative mindset with leadership capabilities and the ability to influence
• High-energy and self-driven with curiosity, flexibility, and a creative approach to situations
• Ability to multi-task and meet short deadlines
• Ability to work both independently and within a global team environment

Desirable Skills

• Understanding of climate change and/or risk analysis within our target markets – large and/or multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governmental organisations
• Existing network of relevant contacts
• Additional language skills

Diversity and Inclusion 

Risilience is committed to a proactive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture and values diversity. Entry into employment is determined by personal merit and by the application of criteria required for the post.  No applicant for an appointment or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.

Information if you have a Disability 

Risilience welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and is committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. Adjustments will be made, wherever reasonable to do so, to enable applicants to compete to the best of their ability and, if successful, to assist them during their employment.

We encourage applicants to declare their disabilities in order that any special arrangements, particularly for the selection process, can be accommodated. Applicants or employees can declare a disability at any time.

Right to work

You must have full permission to live and work in the UK without time limit, restriction or sponsorship.