Job Title: Business Development Director
Position Type: Permanent (one-year probation period)
Location: Athens, Greece
Application Deadline: Open until filled
About Global Sustain Group:
Global Sustain offers innovative professional services related to sustainability, corporate responsibility, responsible investing, green economy, business ethics and excellence, transparency, human rights and accountability. Its mission is to create awareness, inspire and support companies and organizations in sustainability, through advisory, communications, networking and training, guided by the people-planet-profit concept. Its members include corporations, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, municipalities and local authorities, academic institutions, media, professional bodies, service providers, chambers, think tanks and other public or private entities. Global Sustain owns the popular daily updated portal www.globalsustain.org, it is active in social media, offers advisory services, publishes a multi-stakeholder Yearbook, a comprehensive e-newsletter, facilitates networking among members (M2M), organizes events and the Sustainability Forum, a training, networking and professional development event, supporting companies and organizations in formulating and executing their sustainability strategy. Global Sustain is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), is a GRI Data Partner and Organizational Stakeholder and a member of the Academy of Business in Society (ABIS), EFQM, Social Value, CEO Clubs and Institute of Directors (IoD). Global Sustain maintains offices in Athens, Berlin and London and affiliates in Brussels, Geneva, New York and Nicosia (for more info please visit: www.globalsustain.org).
Job Purpose:
The candidate will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, preparing proposals and quotes and presenting them to prospective members. The candidate will support Global Sustain activities by collecting and analyzing information on target markets, establishing potential contacts and contributing to the attainment of the business objectives. This includes performing all administrative tasks needed to facilitate the closing of sales deals. Drafting of correspondence, coordinating and scheduling meetings, and completing all proceeds necessary to facilitate business development are key aspects of this job. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with members/clients and potential business partners to promote a climate that facilitates future sales for Global Sustain. The candidate will coordinate all Global Sustain representation offices from the Athens operational hub and will report to the Group Managing Director.
Skills Required:
The candidate will most preferably be a holder of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field, with a proven track record in business development (sales) environment and a minimum of five years’ experience, preferably within the sustainability services industry. Widely accepted professional certifications and post graduate studies in corporate responsibility and sustainability will be an asset.
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication and presentation skills are essential prerequisites. The candidate will be a dynamic, self-motivated and results-driven professional, capable of operating effectively alone as well as part of a team, with experience in engaging at the C-suite level. Candidates with working knowledge of sustainability and corporate responsibility will be preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), social media, CMS, ERP and CRM software is essential.
Responsibilities and Deliverables:
- Meet annual business objectives, developing relationships with clients.
- Collaborate with affiliates in Berlin, Brussels, London, Geneva, New York and Nicosia.
- Collaborate with Global Sustain departments including Membership Services, Advisory & Project Management, Marketing & Communications, Events & Outreach.
- Identify and develop strategic partnerships and competitive services.
- Initiate and sustain opportunities between existing and potential stakeholders.
- Responsible for the development and management of setting objectives and priorities.
- Raise Global Sustain profile in the sustainability industry
Core Competencies:
- Professional competence
- Strategic thinking
- Planning and organizing
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Entrepreneurial mind set
This is an excellent opportunity for a career minded and aspirational professional to join a company that can offer growth, development and a platform to work with some of the pioneering companies and organizations in sustainability worldwide. Candidates should have real passion for sustainability must be tenacious and possess the ability to successfully navigate through a sometimes ambiguous environment. We are interested in hearing from candidates who are dedicated and capable of helping us to develop our business and our brand internationally.
Global Sustain offers an attractive remuneration package in accordance with qualifications and experience, continuous training and professional development and the opportunity to join a fast-growing organization. Interested candidates should send their CV and motivation letter to info@globalsustain.org quoting “Business Development Director – Athens” in the subject. All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Qualified short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.