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VP, Sales (Financial Institutions / Investment)

Remote (New York, US)


Company Details


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 the 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 in the University of Cambridge (UK) and the close ties we maintain to the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies.


Outside of our work with large multinationals, Risilience has developed a suite of capabilities designed to integrate climate risk into the investment process for Financial Institutions. Aimed primarily at Private Equity, Asset Managers and Investment Banks, Risilience’s set of data, analytics and software tooling enables investors to quantify, report on and ultimately mitigate climate risks across a portfolio.


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 US-based, VP of Sales to build and grow Risilience’s sales efforts globally within Financial Institutions. The ideal candidate has a successful track record in software and data sales, developing new relationships with large Financial Institutions, preferably within a fast-growing SaaS company. They will also have experience in running complex sales cycles across multiple teams/stakeholders with successful outcomes.


This role will have responsibility for selling new subscriptions of our Climate and Nature Analytics Platform, as well as our proprietary Climate Risk datasets. 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 sales approach.
  • 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 team's planning and operations.
  • 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 Financial Institutions.
  • Experience developing relationships with senior stakeholders.
  • Ambition and hunger to build and scale an organisation within a burgeoning market with exciting growth potential.
  • Track record in closing complex, high value sales cycles.
  • Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree is required (preferably in sustainability, finance, economics, or similar).
  • Solid strategic planning skills combined with exceptional execution capabilities.
  • Ability to influence key decision makers during the full sales cycle; ability to sell using a needs/solutions-based approach.
  • Excellent people and stakeholder management skills, including proven ability to navigate a global, 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 target markets – large and/or multinational corporations, financial institutions, and/or governmental organisations.
  • Experience selling into Private Equity or Investment Banks.
  • 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 US without time limit, restriction or sponsorship.