Account Executive, Defence & Intelligence

Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth.

Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. This constellation delivers an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one.

Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.

As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains.

We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world.

Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

About the Role:

We are looking for an Account Executive who will be responsible for growing Planet’s Government sales pipeline and book of business in Government Intelligence, Defense and National Security institutions for Germany and Poland.  The ideal candidate for this position is a driven, independent thinker, who can also be creative in finding new and dynamic ways to expand Planet’s government business. This person will have a proven track record of selling in government and defense, with an extensive network and able to navigate procurement processes and frameworks. They will identify, qualify, negotiate, and close large and medium-size deals and drive sales revenue targets. Most likely, the ideal candidate will have Military experience, technical understanding of geo-spatial imagery products (or a related technical field) and understanding of government customers that we sell to.

This role involves developing an extensive pipeline of new sales leads, providing product and sales demonstrations to prospective customers, and formulating appropriate business. To support this, the D&I Account Executive should have the ability to forecast accurately when managing the incoming pipeline of opportunities. The need to source, sell, co-sell, and close deals means that the ideal candidate should be familiar with the concepts of carrying quota and closing. Above all else, we want our potential D&I Account Executive to enjoy our unique value proposition and join us in Planet’s mission to see change and change the world.

This is a full-time, remote position based in Germany. 

Impact You’ll Own:

• Develop the sales pipeline needed to achieve or exceed your sales targets and goals.
• Collaborate with the Government Sales team and Leadership.
• Work with Planet’s marketing team to run campaigns to attract and identify new opportunities.
• Work with Business Development to grow a pipeline of opportunities with strategic accounts.
• Prospect and develop business relationships, close sales, and manage customer expectations as the company grows.
• Collaborate with the whole commercial organisation to foster close customer relationships based on trust and integrity.
• Engage qualified prospects and take them through the journey of identifying the value proposition for Planet solutions and negotiating through agreement/contract/procurement obstacles to achieve an ultimate win.
• Manage the contracting and Government procurement process.
• Work closely with pre-sales/solution architect staff to ensure technical validation of the Planet solution and achieve a technical win.
• Work closely with our post-sales organization and Customer Success team to ensure a successful onboarding for new customers and maintain/grow a relationship.
• Work strategically to develop the pipeline of qualified opportunities needed to achieve or exceed your sales targets and goals.
• Maintain an extensive level of pipeline hygiene using Salesforce.com.
• Collaborate and innovate as needed to create customer-facing presentations and proposals unique to the prospect and situation.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree or commensurate professional experience
• Demonstrated success finding and winning business with Government customers; examples include the German Bundeswehr, BND, Federal Intelligence and regional equivalents
• Fluency in the German language
• Deep understanding of the value of commercial imagery in supporting the work of the D&I user.
• Excellent relationships across German/Polish Government and the partner ecosystem
• 5+ years of related experience in geospatial software, imagery or technical sales required along with a demonstrated track record of success
• 5+ years of experience selling to government customers including understanding the nuances of Government sales cycles and how to navigate through the process
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-starter, able to work independently under tight deadlines in start-up environment
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills
• Negotiation and persuasion skills
• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills
• Experience with Salesforce.com or a similar CRM System

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Ability to speak other regional languages
• Active Armed Forces Reserve or veteran as a relevant intelligence professional
• Fluency in the Polish language

Benefits While Working at Planet:

These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.

• Paid time off including vacation, holidays and company-wide days off 
• Remote-friendly work environment 
• Employee Wellness Program 
• Home Office Reimbursement
• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
• Equity 
• Volunteering Paid Time Off

#LI-REMOTE

Why we care so much about Belonging. 
We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging—dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work.  If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply!  At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description.  We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts.  We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride. 

EEO statement:
Planet is committed to building a community where everyone belongs and we invite people from all backgrounds to apply. Planet is an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Know Your Rights.

Accommodations: 
Planet is an inclusive community and we know that everyone has their own needs. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.

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