CONTEXT

Every day, millions of kilograms of plastic end up in nature. Plastics do not decompose and stay around forever, causing harm to people, animals and the environment. Our vision is to create a world in which rivers are free of plastics.

OUR STORY

River Cleanup started in 2017 with a 10-minute cleanup and was founded in Antwerp in 2019 as a nonprofit organization. To date, we have activated +370.000 volunteers via +7.600 events in 102 countries, removed 3,9 million kilograms of river waste from nature and developed the Clean River Model as an open-source theory of change for plastic-free rivers.

Through strategic and early interventions in the plastic lifecycle, we turn off the tap on new plastic pollution and permanently remove legacy waste on land and in rivers. The Clean River Model consists of 3 pillars (Empower people, Prevent pollution and Accelerate change) and 3 enablers (Assessment, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation). Together, they encompass the entire lifecycle of river plastics. We are validating the Clean River Model in three action zones in 2025/2026 and will scale up the implementation to 100 rivers globally by 2030.

YOUR ROLE

The Head of Partnerships, together with the CEO and management team, leads efforts to secure revenue for Mission 2030 and is directly responsible for revenue from philanthropy, sponsorships and subsidies.

Reporting directly to theFounder/CEO,your tasks & responsibilities include:

Leading and developing the partnerships team, creating an environment where each team member can thrive and perform at their best;
Owning and driving the overall revenue and fundraising strategy (within annual plans and Mission 2030);
Overseeing the full partnership cycle (prospecting → pitching/applications → negotiation → closing) to ensure high-quality execution and strong outcomes;
Managing part of the strategic key accounts while supporting team members in managing and growing their partner portfolios;
Leading internal and external reporting on fundraising performance and pipeline development;
Driving effective cross-functional collaboration with programs, communications, and finance to enable partnership success;
Supporting and strengthening local fundraising efforts in core countries.

Success in this role looks like:

Achieving and growing annual partnership revenue in line with Mission 2030 ambitions;
Securing multi-year, high-value strategic partnerships across corporates, foundations, and major donors;
Building a high-performing partnerships team with strong ownership and accountability;
Increasing donor lifetime value through structured and high-quality relationship management;
Strengthening River Cleanup’s position as a trusted partner in the global fight against plastic pollution.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO THRIVE IN THIS ROLE

This role requires proven non-profit experience, applications without this experience will not be considered.

An entrepreneurial and proactive leader, with 7–10 years of proven experience in fundraising and partnerships;
Strong track record of building and managing relationships with corporate partners, foundations, and/or UHNWI donors;
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action and deliver tangible results;
Skilled in shaping compelling partnership narratives, translating complex themes (data, ESG, impact) into clear and attractive value propositions;
Excellent negotiation and storytelling capabilities, with a natural ability to create win-win partnerships;
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages are an asset;
A values-driven professional who embodies positivity, inclusivity, expertise, responsibility, and a strong commitment to impact;
Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced international environment;
Willing and able to travel as needed; holds a valid driving licence.

WHAT WE OFFER

The chance to make a huge difference for people and planet!
A key leadership role in scaling an international impact organisation;
A non-profit competitive benefits package incl. 20+6 paid vacation days;
DKV hospitalisation insurance; Travel insurance for Project Mission visits
The opportunity to use River Cleanup electric vehicles for work-related travel;
Compensation for bicycle commuting and meal vouchers;
Free lunch on Tuesdays!

DETAILS

We offer up to 2 days of remote work per week, with Tuesday and Thursday as our fixed office days in Antwerp;
To help you settle in and connect with the team, we ask new starters to be on-site as much as possible during the first 6 months before transitioning to the standard arrangement;
This position is a full-time position (39 hrs/five days);
Starting date: as soon as possible

HOW TO APPLY

At River Cleanup, we believe in the power of diversity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We encourage everyone to apply, regardless of age, gender, origin, or physical abilities.

Together for clean rivers!

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