Application Guide
How to Apply for Solution Sales Executive - Governance, Risk, and Compliance
at Workiva
🏢 About Workiva
Workiva is a leader in streamlining integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations transparently manage climate impact and compliance. Their focus on Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) solutions, combined with a remote-first culture, offers a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change in how businesses handle risk and sustainability.
About This Role
This role is responsible for acquiring new business and expanding existing accounts by selling Workiva's GRC suite to executive-level buyers. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver multi-solution sales, directly impacting customer adoption and revenue growth in the corporate commercial segment.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a call with Inside Sales to review new leads, then a product demo to a potential client's VP of Risk. After lunch, you'd work with a Solution Specialist to tailor a proposal for an existing customer expansion, and end the day updating your CRM and reviewing territory performance.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For
- Proven track record of selling GRC, ESG, or compliance solutions to executive-level buyers (CCOs, CROs, etc.)
- Experience in a solution-selling environment, with ability to demonstrate complex platforms and handle objections
- Strong collaboration skills to work with Inside Sales, Solution Specialists, and Partnerships to generate qualified opportunities
- Comfortable working remotely and managing a territory, with self-discipline to drive sales independently
📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva
Highlight any experience with Workiva's platform or competitors like MetricStream, ServiceNow GRC, or SAP GRC in your resume
Quantify your sales achievements (e.g., 'exceeded quota by 120% in FY2023' or 'closed $2M in new business')
Tailor your cover letter to show understanding of Workiva's focus on integrated ESG and GRC, not just generic SaaS sales
Mention specific executive-level relationships you've built (e.g., 'partnered with Chief Risk Officers at Fortune 500 firms')
Demonstrate knowledge of the GRC market trends, such as regulatory pressures (e.g., SEC climate rules) driving demand
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your ability to sell to executive-level buyers and navigate complex B2B sales cycles', "Showcase your understanding of GRC and ESG challenges, and how Workiva's solutions address them", 'Highlight collaborative experience working with internal teams (Inside Sales, Solutions, etc.) to close deals', 'Express enthusiasm for remote work and self-driven sales management']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Workiva's GRC product page and case studies to understand their unique value proposition
- → Read recent news about Workiva's partnerships or acquisitions in the ESG/compliance space
- → Check Workiva's investor relations page for quarterly earnings calls to understand growth priorities
- → Look up competitors (e.g., AuditBoard, MetricStream) to articulate Workiva's differentiators
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on technical features rather than business outcomes and executive pain points
- Failing to demonstrate knowledge of the GRC market or regulatory landscape (e.g., SOX, SOC 2, ESG)
- Not showing specific examples of collaboration with other sales teams (e.g., Inside Sales, Partners)
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!