POSTED: 01/05/2026
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME
LOCATION: Rotterdam, Netherlands

MISSION
The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. To do so, we design, develop, and deploy cleanup systems to stop plastic from reaching our oceans by intercepting it in rivers. As Business Development Manager, you will enable a fast scale-up of innovative solutions for plastic extraction in rivers across central and LATAM. We are looking for an experienced, knowledgeable and result-driven self-starter with experience in governmental and corporate sectors and a broad and relevant network in Indonesia.

THE ASSIGNMENT
The Business Development Manager will enable the fast scale-up of river interception solutions by identifying new project opportunities and funding streams and developing clear agreement structures and operating models based on strong client/partner propositions. Working with a large variety of possible partners (e.g., governments, operators, funders), they will focus on setting up consortia to drive and operate river interception projects before handing them over to the execution teams that drives the completion of the installation.

Responsibilities include:

Build and leverage your personal network and that of The Ocean Cleanup to identify new opportunities for interception projects and to establish partnerships - bringing together a broad range of partners from private, public, and nonprofit sectors
Work in a strong alignment with the Business Development team in the Netherlands and the region to develop a scaleup strategy tailored for the partnership landscape
As a representative of The Ocean Cleanup , you lead the execution of the agreed strategy and ensure accountability to the Ocean Cleanup organization
In coordination with the project team, work with our existing stakeholders to optimize and to identify opportunities for additional interception within existing projects
In coordination with the Corporate Development team, identify funding opportunities and develop and evaluate localized business models with partners that may contribute to the realization of our objectives
Manage contract negotiations and set up consortia in coordination with The Ocean Cleanup’s Business Development and Legal teams
Represent The Ocean Cleanup in high-level engagements with (potential) partners across the region
Be a valuable member of The Ocean Cleanup Business Development team and help raise the bar in achieving goals together. Support your colleagues in research, deployments, and continuous improvement
You realize that a certain amount of groundwork (document control, administrative tasks, etc.) is part of the job and project success

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

You have 15 years of working experience; preferably in a governmental sector, and / or international organization working with partnerships and consortia
You have experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors and bring a broad and relevant network
Bachelors or Masters degree, for example, in international relations, environmental sciences, business/public administration
You can individually manage a pipeline of opportunities that are in different stages of development, requiring different levels of engagement with partners ranging from establishing initial contact to long term collaboration
You have experience with setting up different business models with partners and you have proven your ability to realize extensive contracts with governments, corporations and NGOs and preferably in Americas
You are a native Spanish / Portuguese - speaker
You have excellent English-language communication skills, both written and verbal, and other languages are helpful
You have been exposed to numerous cultures and proven to thrive in such environments
You are able and willing to resist any corrupt or unethical practices
You are in the top 10% amongst your peers in terms of cooperation, taking responsibility, “getting the job done,” and project management
Experience and an existing network in other ASEAN countries is considered as a plus

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Pragmatic and focused on delivering results
High cultural awareness and sensitivity
Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Entrepreneurial and commercially driven
Results-driven, self-motivated, and creative
Ability to stay positive and constructive despite setbacks
Strong personal integrity
Intrinsic motivation to work on our ambitious and meaningful goal

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Starting date: As soon as possible
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Conducting a pre-employment check may be part of this recruitment process.
At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe we are stronger together, while harnessing the uniqueness each individual brings. That is why we take a fair, equal opportunity, and transparent approach to hiring and welcome special needs requests.
 
Please note: because we are a non-profit, our salaries reflect that of an organization fully reliant on donations, rather than that of a commercial entity