Partnerships Manager

Who We Are

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping is a not-for-profit leader in the transition towards sustainable and environmentally responsible shipping practices. Our mission is to drive the development and implementation of innovative solutions to achieve zero carbon shipping, protecting our planet's future while advancing the maritime industry. With a wide network of partners, we build confidence in new concepts and mature viable pathways to drive systemic change.

We are now looking for a Partnerships Manager to join our Strategy & Partnerships team. As one of the Center’s key enabling functions, we are responsible for developing the overall Center strategy, maintaining the Center’s unique partnership model and network of over 100 global partners, and driving fundraising efforts. In particular, the Partnerships Manager role will take responsibility for the progress and management of all Center relations, partner onboarding, business development and key partner management.  You will be part of a small team of 4 colleagues with a very central role in the organization, working across all departments.

We’re based in Copenhagen but collaborate globally. We value collaboration, curiosity, and treating people (and the planet) right.

The Opportunity

A strong partner network is essential for the Center to deliver on its mission to decarbonize the shipping industry. Partner engagement and partner management will be critical to ensure delivery of this mission. As Partner Manager you will establish a close relationship and an open dialogue with partners to ensure we have a strategic understanding of mutual beneficial partnerships and deliver on it. You will also suggest and attract future partners and facilitate regular partner prioritization meetings to identify desired future partners to the Center and discuss ongoing partner management.

Our partner base is extremely diverse, and in this role, you will be working with corporate partners, collaboration platforms, financial institutions, NGOs and start-ups. As our Partner Manager, you must be able to communicate the Center’s value proposition, and it is key that you are experienced and comfortable in dealing with globally leading and multicultural companies at SVP and CEO level.

As Partnerships Manager, you will report to the Head of Strategy & Partnerships and collaborate closely with the entire Strategy & Partnerships team, which currently consists of three individuals with distinct tasks and responsibilities. Your role will be pivotal in supporting both the strategic and day-to-day agenda of our partnerships.

At the core of our partnership strategy is the innovative secondment setup, wherein professionals from our partner organizations join our Copenhagen office. This model enhances our capacity for independent and impactful contributions to sustainable maritime decarbonization. Your role will be crucial in navigating the operational intricacies of this setup while facilitating effective communication with leading corporations worldwide.

Who You Are

We are looking for a Partnerships Manager who possesses a combination of interpersonal, technical, and strategic skills able to effectively convey information, build relationships, and contribute to the overall success of the Partnerships Team.  To succeed in this role, you must combine a strategic mindset with a pragmatic, structured, and efficient approach. Ideally, you recognize yourself in the following description: 

• Master’s degree (no specific field required).
• +5 years’ experience in partner-driven project facilitation or complex stakeholder environments.
• Commercial experience, including partner recruitment and onboarding, preferably with key account management methods.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, making informed decisions, and proactively addressing communication challenges
• Able to understand the broader business strategy and to communicate effectively within that context.
• Able to perform data analysis to assess the impact of communications and initiatives.
• Detail-oriented and quantitatively skilled, ensuring accuracy and consistency in partner communications.
• Familiar with systems and tools such as marketing communications (eg MailChimp), contract management (eg Precisely Contracts) and customer relationship management (eg Microsoft Dynamics).
• Experienced communicator with strong cultural awareness and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent project management skills, able to handle multiple workstreams and deadlines.
• Proactive, can-do attitude with a willingness to engage on diverse tasks.
• Collaborative team player, effective with cross-functional and external teams.
• Bonus – you have a strategy or management consulting background and toolkit.

What You’ll Do

This role involves not only operational execution but also ensuring a relevant and dynamic partner strategy. You will serve as a key liaison, understanding and addressing partner needs, while providing administrative support to ensure smooth partnership operations, including organization, relations, meetings, and communication.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage partner engagement processes and continuously assess and develop value proposition for existing and new partners
• Support development of the Center’s partnership base in line with Center strategy, including analysis of ecosystems and potential future partners
• Attract new partners with a mutually beneficial framework for collaboration
• Own / drive agenda planning and coordinate logistics around quarterly Advisory Board meetings with the Center’s strategic partners, including circulation of materials before and after the meetings (minutes, etc.)
• Produce partner communication plans and relevant materials, including quarterly status reports on partner contribution status
• Provide input to the Center’s external engagement plans and activities
• Support the core team behind our biannual Accelerate Partner Summit in Copenhagen
• Coordinate actions among the Center’s Key Engagement Managers (KEMs) for partners
• Support the Project Managers in partner outreach for project collaboration
• Own the customer relationship management (CRM) tool making sure it grows and keeps being updated by all internal stakeholders
• Circulate and analyze annual partner survey together with Partnership Coordinator
• Manage pipeline of potential new partnerships
• Maintain partner relationships with current network
• Managing the partner newsletter together with Partnerships Coordinator.
• Handling Center memberships and commitments.
• Overseeing Center partner contract management together with legal and provide support to various contract work on an ad-hoc basis.
• Supporting the team in various ad-hoc tasks committed to delivering high-quality outcomes

Why Join Us

You will join a team of engaged, skilled, ambitious, and cheerful professionals working with great determination but also great care for each other. You will be a central part of this team.  We run multiple projects simultaneously and need a colleague with a structured approach, a steady hand and collaborative mindset to help ensure priorities are straight and things ready at the agreed time.

Additionally, you will be part of a multicultural, dynamic, and mission-driven workplace with great learning opportunities. You will work at the very front of the green transition, adding meaningful contributions to a safer and more sustainable future not only for shipping, but for the planet. 

Work is more than a job to us. We are deeply motivated by the opportunity to drive a sustainable transition towards a greener future for shipping and combine our deep specialist competencies to create industry-wide impact.

In this diverse workplace, you can expect:

-          An international, talented team of mission-driven colleagues

-          An innovative and collaborative workplace with room for growth and development

-          A caring and social work environment that fosters collective success

-          Opportunities to expand your knowledge base and take responsibility for both large and small tasks

The position is full-time and based in our office in Nordhavn, Copenhagen.

Ready to Apply?

We value the diversity of our talent in all its forms, and we see diversity as a genuine source of strength for building high-performing teams. We are supportive of the visa process and welcome international candidates who are willing to relocate. If your qualifications match the requirements for a specific role, we can assist with the work visa process. 

We review applications on a rolling basis and will close the posting once we find the right person. Please send your CV and a short motivational letter explaining why this role speaks to you. Any information sent to us will be treated with full confidentiality and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

We look forward to hearing from you!