New Business Account Executive, Data Sales (Financial Services)

The Economist Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global intelligence organization based in London is seeking an accomplished Account Executive to drive revenue growth for data and API products within the Financial Services sector. You will leverage your sales expertise and industry knowledge to develop trusted relationships with clients. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in enterprise sales, understanding of market needs, and strong negotiation skills. Join us to empower clients in making confident data-driven decisions.

Benefits

Highly competitive pension plan

Private health insurance

Work From Anywhere program

Generous annual and parental leave

Free access to The Economist content

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of enterprise sales experience.
• Proven success selling data products to financial services.
• Strong understanding of workflows and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Identify new business opportunities across financial sectors.
• Build and manage a pipeline of qualified opportunities.
• Own the full sales cycle from prospecting to contract execution.

Skills

Enterprise sales experience

Consultative sales and solution-selling

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Proficiency in Salesforce

Understanding of capital markets

Tools

Salesforce

Sales Navigator

Excel

SalesLoft

Highspot

Job description

London - Commercial

Who we are

We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the “red thread” that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence‑based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them.

We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and clients in 170 countries through our four businesses, The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity.

About EIU

As the research and analysis division of the Economist Group, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) helps leaders prepare for opportunity, empowering them to act with confidence when making strategic decisions. The EIU is the global standard in providing high quality, actionable intelligence to the public and private sector, assessing issues that impact the businesses in more than two hundred countries.

Position Purpose

We are seeking an ambitious and accomplished Account Executive, Data Sales to drive revenue growth for EIU’s data and API products within the Financial Services sector across Europe.

This role requires a seasoned sales professional with deep industry knowledge, a strong client network, and the ability to translate complex technical solutions into compelling commercial value propositions.

Reporting to the Global Head of B2B Subscription Sales, the individual will play a critical role in expanding EIU’s footprint across financial institutions, strengthening our positioning as a trusted data partner, and contributing to our broader enterprise subscription strategy.

A key aspect of success will be collaborating with existing sales teams across The Economist Group (TEG) to leverage established relationships and drive sales growth.

Key Accountabilities

Business Development

• Identify new business opportunities across banking, asset management, hedge funds, insurance, and fintech sectors.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities through strategic prospecting, networking, and disciplined forecasting.
• Expand EIU’s reach into new financial services sub‑sectors and European geographies.
• Develop trusted relationships with clients across the buy side and sell side.
• Own the full sales cycle – from prospecting to contract execution.
• Consistently deliver against quarterly and annual sales targets.
• Lead negotiations of commercial terms with C‑suite and procurement stakeholders.
• Apply insight‑led, consultative selling to position EIU’s data products as essential strategic tools.

Market & Product Expertise

• Develop a deep understanding of client workflows, regulatory drivers, and industry data needs.
• Maintain awareness of trends in data consumption, APIs, and fintech innovation.
• Understand programmatic delivery (APIs, Feeds, Marketplaces) and the infrastructure supporting enterprise data use.
• Provide structured feedback to product, engineering, and marketing teams to inform product development and go‑to‑market strategy.
• Partner with internal teams across EIU and TEG to align product capabilities with client demand.
• Collaborate with colleagues across business units to maximise relationship value and cross‑sell opportunities.
• Contribute to a culture of commercial excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 7 years of enterprise sales experience with a track record of exceeding targets in selling data, APIs, DaaS, or technology solutions into Financial Services.
• Proven success selling data products to the buy side and sell side.
• Strong understanding of capital markets, asset management, or insurance workflows, and how data drives decision‑making.
• Demonstrated experience in licensing and commercial models underpinning enterprise data distribution.
• Exceptional consultative sales and solution‑selling capabilities with strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to grasp complex API/data offerings and articulate them in clear, commercial terms.
• Excellent presentation, pitching, and interpersonal skills at both technical and executive levels.
• Proficiency in Salesforce, Sales Navigator, and Excel; experience with SalesLoft and Highspot a plus.
• Additional European languages are advantageous.
• Self‑motivated, commercially focused, and able to thrive in a high‑growth, fast‑paced environment.

Core Competencies

• Solution and Value‑Based Selling
• Strategic Thinking & Commercial Acumen
• Results Orientation & Accountability
• Market & Product Insight

Join Us

Join The Economist Intelligence Unit and help global financial leaders interpret the forces shaping markets. You will represent one of the world’s most trusted and respected intelligence brands – empowering clients to make confident, data‑driven decisions.

#LI‑Hybrid

AI usage for your application

We are an innovative organisation that encourages the use of technology. We recognise that candidates may utilise AI tools to support with their job application process. However, it is essential that all information you provide truthfully and accurately reflects your own experience, skills, and qualifications.

What we offer

Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work‑life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program.

We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year. In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home.

You will also be given free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.

We are committed to building and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you believe you may require accommodations or adjustments at any stage to your hiring process due to disability or neurodivergence, sincerely held religious beliefs, or pregnancy‑related support, please let us know, and we will reach out confidentially to provide assistance.