Application Guide

How to Apply for Account Executive - Western Canada

at Workiva

🏢 About Workiva

Workiva is a leader in integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations streamline climate impact disclosure and compliance. Their focus on transparency and innovation makes them a standout in the SaaS space, especially for those passionate about sustainability and technology.

About This Role

As an Account Executive for Western Canada, you'll drive sales by identifying opportunities, collaborating with internal teams, and closing deals. Your work directly impacts companies' ability to manage ESG reporting, making this role both commercially and environmentally impactful.

💡 A Day in the Life

You'll start by reviewing your pipeline and prioritizing leads from inside sales. Mid-morning, you might join a call with a potential client in Vancouver, discussing their ESG challenges. After lunch, you'll collaborate with a solution consultant to tailor a demo for a mining company, then spend the afternoon following up on proposals and refining your territory strategy.

🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For

  • Has 4+ years of enterprise SaaS sales experience, specifically selling to C-level executives in Western Canada.
  • Understands ESG reporting challenges (e.g., climate risk, regulatory compliance) and can articulate Workiva's value.
  • Proven track record of managing complex sales cycles with multiple stakeholders (e.g., Finance, Sustainability, IT).
  • Strong ability to demo complex software and address technical objections with business-focused solutions.

📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva

1

Highlight any experience selling ESG or compliance software, even if tangential, and quantify your pipeline generation.

2

Tailor your resume to show you've worked with Canadian companies, especially in energy, mining, or tech sectors.

3

In your cover letter, mention specific ESG trends (e.g., ISSB standards) and how Workiva addresses them.

4

Prepare a brief example of how you used solution consulting to overcome a client objection in a previous role.

5

Research Workiva's recent wins or partnerships in Western Canada (e.g., oil & gas firms) to show local market knowledge.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience generating qualified pipeline through collaboration with inside sales and partnerships.', "How you've successfully demonstrated complex SaaS platforms to executive buyers.", "Passion for ESG and sustainability, linking it to Workiva's mission.", 'Specific examples of closing deals with multi-million dollar ACV in a similar region.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Read Workiva's latest ESG report and product updates (e.g., AI features for data collection).
  • Understand the regulatory landscape in Canada (e.g., proposed climate disclosure rules).
  • Look at Workiva's customer case studies, especially in Western Canada (e.g., Teck Resources).
  • Familiarize yourself with Workiva's partnerships (e.g., with audit firms like PwC).

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would approach a new account in the oil & gas sector in Alberta.
2 How do you handle objections about the cost or complexity of ESG reporting software?
3 Describe a time you collaborated with a solution consultant to turn a challenging demo into a closed deal.
4 What do you know about Workiva's competitive landscape (e.g., Persefoni, Salesforce Net Zero Cloud)?
5 How would you prioritize leads from different sources (e.g., inbound vs. partner referrals)?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on general sales skills without showing knowledge of ESG or compliance.
  • Ignoring the collaborative nature of the role (e.g., not mentioning teamwork with Solutions Consulting).
  • Using a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Workiva's specific value proposition or Canadian market.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Workiva!