CONSULTANCY: KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER

At the Rainforest Alliance we are looking for an experienced Key Account Manager to ensure the Rainforest Alliance continues to be the alliance partner of choice for companies to invest in net-positive impact in their supply chains. This role will maintain and activate relationships with existing accounts with pro-active outreach and responding to customer needs.

Rainforest Alliance has recently set its ambitious 2023-2030 strategy to further strengthen our organizational impact. We want to activate market push/pull, producer impact, investment mobilization and citizen activation to create value with speed and scale and accelerate our mission. The Key Account Management team will strengthen our position as a trusted and highly valued partner for our key accounts.

The Key Account Management team is led by the Lead Key Account Management, reporting into the Senior Director Corporate Engagement & Partnerships.

RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Develop trusted relationships as single point of contact for selected portfolio of key accounts;

• Manage 5-6 accounts – create account playbook strategy (as guided by Revenue Ops) and tactics to manage the relationships and look for, and secure, opportunities for growth;

• In coordination with the Team Lead Key Account Management, set and work towards the sales strategy for the assigned key accounts, developing account plans and seeking opportunities to advance the accounts commitments with RA;

• Act as RA representative for (complex) account queries and resolve these leveraging internal expertise;

• Set clear objectives for account interactions; use standard materials to make a presentation to the customer; and ask relevant questions to evaluate the customer's level of interest and to identify and respond to areas requiring further information or explanation;

• In coordination with the Team Lead Key Account Management, negotiate contractual terms and close deals that meet the customer's mid- to long-term needs, working closely with legal and compliance;

• Responsible to track implementation of offering at customer to ensure needs are met and use feedback from customers and internal processes to continuously improve our account management program, offerings and internal processes;

• Help build comms & marketing campaign to bring new products or services to accounts that best meet the customer's needs;

• Establish performance metrics and regularly measure progress against them. Use feedback from customers and internal processes to continuously improve our account management program;

• Act as subject matter expert in Norwegian and Finnish market. Individual has established personal network and authority internally/externally within the country. Activities include representing the organization at market specific events; co-writing articles/blog posts, in collaboration with Global Programs experts, on subject matter expertise; facilitating trainings for account managers on the subject matter and other;

• ‘Shadowing' of strategic account manager prospecting;

• Work collaboratively with other departments (e.g. global programs, marketing & comms) to best serve our customers;

• Follow policies and procedures, e.g. customer relationship management system;

• Adapt to changing market conditions, customer needs, and competitive threats;

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Master or Bachelor’s degree in economy, science or another relevant international development discipline;

• At least 6-7 years of experience with sales in B2B environment at mid-senior level, relationship building, corporate affairs or marketing;

• Consistent track record in nurturing and developing accounts, stakeholder management and representing an organization in a multi-stakeholder environment;

• Strong interpersonal skills with track record of achieving results through influencing without authority;

• Knowledge and understanding of voluntary certification programs;

• Deep knowledge and subject matter expertise of Norwegian and/or Finnish market. Proven track record of authority in the subject matter (published articles; speaking at events, etc.)

• Key competencies: business acumen, negotiation, persuasion, adaptability, critical and reflective thinking, public speaking, resourcefulness, relationship builder based on trust, empathy and openness, and strong organizational skills to lead multiple priorities in a time critical manner;

• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, written and verbal proficiency in English and Norwegian is required;

• Ability to travel.

 Notes: Consultants may apply to either a full time or part time role, from three to four days a week.