Business Development & Partnership Manager

CARE Denmark is looking for a proactive Business Development & Partnership Manager to open doors with foundations and private sector actors in the Scandinavian market and turn those relationships into lasting partnerships for climate-vulnerable communities. The position is based in Copenhagen with the possibility of relocating. About CARE Denmark CARE Denmark works with frontline communities and the wider CARE Confederation to build climate-resilient futures. We use limited aid resources catalytically: to test, refine and scale climate- and business-smart solutions that reach far beyond where we work. Diversifying our funding beyond our anchor donor, Danida, is central to making that ambition real. About the role You will hold the foundations and private sector seat in the international department, working alongside our Resource Mobilisation Coordinator, who leads on institutional donors. Your job is to grow a diversified income base, with a sharp focus on Scandinavian foundations and private sector partners. We are looking for a business developer who goes out and starts the conversation: identifying which foundations and companies should be working with CARE Denmark, getting in front of them, and shaping partnerships that fit both their priorities and our strategy. You will also respond quickly and convincingly when opportunities arrive. You will sit at the centre of a lot of moving parts. Programme Leads own the technical substance of proposals, our Contractual & Grants Excellence function runs compliance, our Climate Investments & Ventures Department leads on investment and carbon finance, and CARE Country Offices deliver on the ground. Bringing these people together around a partnership, on time, is a core part of the job. The position is full time – 37 hours per week including lunch. What will you do Foundations in the Scandinavian market

• Engage and prioritise Danish, Nordic and other relevant foundations, both existing and new, and build a clear strategy and annual wheel for approaching them.
• Lead targeted and broad engagement with foundations, from first contact through to proposal and long-term stewardship.
• Develop scalable, easy-to-fund "use cases" and partnership offers drawn from our four moonshots.
• Help position CARE Denmark as a grant-holder for the CARE Confederation in the Scandinavian market.

Private sector partnerships

• Proactively identify and approach companies whose business, expertise or sustainability goals align with our climate adaptation and green emergency work.
• Shape a range of partnership types, from philanthropic giving and cause-related partnerships to shared-value collaborations that solve common challenges.
• Work with our Private Sector Advisor and Programme Leads to build partnerships around the enterprises and solutions coming out of our programmes.
• Coordinate closely with the Climate Investments & Ventures Department so that private sector, impact investor and blended-finance conversations are aligned and not duplicated.

Business development and pipeline

• Screen for and respond rapidly to calls, tenders and partnership opportunities, and take opportunities through our Go-No-Go process.
• Own the foundations and private sector part of the fundraising pipeline, keeping the pipeline matrix current and reporting progress to management.
• Develop and maintain our business development toolbox: the CARE Denmark pitch and master narrative, capacity statement, partnership products and pitch decks.
• Contribute to and help implement the CDK Fundraising Strategy, including joint weekly pipeline huddles.

Coordination and stakeholder management

• Pull together cross-functional teams for each opportunity, agreeing roles, timelines and handoffs
• Build fundraising collaboration with CARE Country Offices, CARE regional offices and CARE Confederation members.
• Manage relationships with partners and funders over time, making sure commitments are met and reporting is timely and compelling.

Who you are You are a self-starter who enjoys building relationships from scratch and seeing them through to signed partnerships. You are as comfortable picking up the phone to a foundation director or a company's sustainability lead as you are coordinating a proposal team against a tight deadline. We expect you to have

• At least 7 years of experience in fundraising, business development or partnerships, ideally in an NGO, foundation, consultancy or corporate sustainability setting.
• A proven track record of securing funding from foundations, preferably in Denmark or the wider Scandinavian market.
• Experience engaging private sector actors and structuring partnerships that create value for both sides.
• A proactive, outward-looking approach: you seek out opportunities and open new doors, rather than only responding to them.
• Strong coordination skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct line authority.
• Excellent stakeholder management, with the judgement to balance the interests of funders, partners, Country Offices and colleagues.
• Persuasive writing skills, from concept notes and pitches to full proposals.

- It is an advantage if you have

• An existing network among Scandinavian foundations, companies or impact investors.
• Knowledge of climate adaptation, humanitarian action or inclusive business models.
• Familiarity with blended finance, results-based finance or other innovative funding modalities.
• Experience working in or with an international confederation or federated organisation.

What we offer

• A central role in diversifying CARE Denmark's funding at the start of a new strategy period and room to shape how we work with Scandinavian foundations and the private sector.
• A committed, collaborative team in Copenhagen, connected to the global CARE network.
• Competative salary and very flexible working arrangements in a trust based working environment.

How to apply Click ‘apply here’ to submit your CV and a short cover letter by 21 October 2026 at the latest. In your cover letter, please give one concrete example of a foundation or private sector partnership you initiated yourself. We do not consider application received by email. Starting date – as soon as possible. Interviews are planned for 23, 26 and 27 October. For questions about the position, contact Helena Lassen, International Program Director at hlassen@care.dk. For questions related to the recruitment process, contact Anna Rie Tornbak, HR Manager at artornbak@care.dk CARE Denmarks is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our aim is to build a team that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities and we value diverse perspectives and experiences that add to our collective brainstorm and drives innovation.