Partnership Lead

Climate Week Zurich is looking for a Partnership Lead. As Partnership Lead, you will play a key role in developing, growing, and managing Climate Week Zurich's partner ecosystem.

Together with another Partnership Lead, Partnership Coordination Manager, the Managing Director, and the wider team, you will help shape and execute the partnership strategy of one of Switzerland's leading climate platforms. You will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with corporate sponsors, foundations, government organisations, academic institutions, NGOs, media partners, community organisations, and other strategic stakeholders.

• Drive the acquisition and development of sponsors, contributors, foundations, and strategic partners within your portfolio
• Contribute to the development and execution of the annual partnership and sponsorship strategy
• Build and manage a structured sales pipeline and partnership funnel
• Identify and pursue new partnership, funding, and collaboration opportunities
• Develop and continuously improve sponsorship packages and partner offerings
• Lead partnership negotiations, contracting processes, and long-term relationship management
• Develop strategies to strengthen partner retention, engagement, and year-round participation
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with existing and prospective partners across business, government, academia, media, philanthropy, and civil society
• Act as the relationship lead for assigned key sponsors and strategic stakeholders
• Lead outreach activities, partnership discussions, briefings, and follow-up processes
• Facilitate introductions, collaborations, and connections across the Climate Week Zurich ecosystem
• Ensure high-quality stakeholder management throughout the entire partnership lifecycle
• Maintain oversight of CRM processes, relationship management systems, and stakeholder documentation
• Work closely with the Managing Director and the Partnership team on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and organisational development
• Support the preparation of strategic presentations, pitch decks, concept notes, partnership proposals, and decision-making documents
• Research and evaluate new partnership, funding, and growth opportunities
• Contribute to fundraising efforts, including foundation engagement and proposal development
• Coordinate partner involvement across Climate Week Zurich activities and initiatives
• Support partners in developing impactful event concepts, collaborations, and activation opportunities
• Identify opportunities for cross-sector partnerships and joint initiatives
• Collaborate with the Production and Communications teams to shape key Climate Week Zurich formats and experiences
• Contribute to the development of strategic content for flagship events, leadership gatherings, roundtables, and ecosystem meetings
• Support the identification, engagement, and management of speakers, moderators, and high-level participants
• Represent Climate Week Zurich at events, conferences, networking activities, and partner engagements throughout the year
• Support, mentor, and coordinate junior team members, interns, ambassadors, and external contributors
• Help build scalable structures, processes, and systems that enable Climate Week Zurich to grow sustainably

• Minimum 10-15 years of professional experience in partnerships, business development, sponsorship sales, fundraising, account management, ecosystem building, or related fields
• Proven experience managing strategic relationships with senior decision-makers and executives
• Demonstrated track record of generating sponsorship revenue and closing complex partnership agreements
• Experience working with corporate, public, philanthropic, academic, and civil society stakeholders
• Experience leading teams, interns, volunteers, or external contributors
• Strong understanding of sustainability, climate action, innovation, or related ecosystems (highly desirable)
• Outstanding relationship-building and networking capabilities
• Strong commercial mindset combined with excellent stakeholder management skills
• Ability to identify opportunities, develop strategic partnerships, and close agreements
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
• Ability to align diverse stakeholder interests and create win-win solutions
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to operate in dynamic environments
• Natural relationship builder and connector
• Highly proactive and self-directed
• Strong ownership mentality and willingness to take responsibility
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Collaborative and team-oriented while comfortable working independently
• Resilient, flexible, and solution-oriented
• Passionate about creating impact through collaboration
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Excellent German language skills (minimum C1 level)
• Strong proficiency in CRM systems, Google Workspace, Excel, PowerPoint, LinkedIn, and collaboration tools
• Based in or around Zurich
• Strong affinity for sustainability, climate action, and multi-stakeholder collaboration

For more information and the application form, please click the link below.