Team Lead Business Development
Headquarters Staff
Germany
Europe
Malteser International is the international humanitarian relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta. For over 60 years we provide relief and recovery for people during and following conflicts and disasters around the world. Christian values and humanitarian principles form the foundations of our work. In over 30 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, we support people in need – regardless of their religion, origin or political convictions.
For the management and coordination of all business development activities, we are looking for a Team Lead Business Development within the Business Control Department at our headquarters (HQ) in Cologne.
The Team Lead Business Development provides strategic and operational leadership to the Business Development Team. The role ensures high-quality partnerships and funding, coordinates MI's worldwide resource mobilisation and donor relationship management and delivers reliable, consolidated reporting on fundraising performance and the opportunity pipeline.
Your responsibilities:
- Lead the strategy and daily operations of the Business Development Team, including team coordination, budget planning and budget control
- Provide guidance to HQ and country offices in identifying and establishing high-quality partnerships for MI programmes
- Manage relationships with key institutional donors, including AA, BMZ, ECHO and other bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, in support of MI's mission and long-term sustainability
- Manage relationships with MHD Fundraising for a solid collaboration for private fundraising (HNWI and foundations) in Germany.
- Ensure that Business Development activities are aligned with donor trends and organisational priorities
- Oversee the development of competitive, high-quality proposals and ensure the quality and compliance of submissions
- Coordinate Business Development Managers, country offices and technical teams so that proposals are aligned with programmatic goals and include cost-covering budgets for MI and partners, including headquarters costs
- Guide the team in building strong relationships with new and prospective donors and coordinate MI's global fundraising and positioning efforts
Your profile:
- University degree in international studies, business development or a related field
- At least eight years of relevant professional experience, including proven leadership experience
- Strong experience in business development within the humanitarian sector and sound knowledge of humanitarian contexts
- Extensive experience in proposal development and donor account management and positioning; previous experience within a donor organisation is an asset
- Proven experience in reporting to boards or senior management and in using client relationship management tools
- Strategic thinking combined with a structured and results-oriented working style
- Strong representation, networking and negotiation skills, together with a collaborative leadership approach
- Fluency in German and English; French and/or Spanish are an asset
- High cultural sensitivity and willingness and ability to travel
What we offer:
- A responsible leadership role with a high level of strategic influence in an international humanitarian organisation
- The opportunity to shape MI's global business development approach and strengthen collaboration across headquarters, country offices and partners
- Access to coaching and professional and personal development opportunities, including through the Malteser Academy
- A permanent employment contract starting as soon as possible
- A modern, well-equipped workplace in our Cologne Headquarters with flexible working hours and mobile working arrangements with minimum 50% presence at our headquarters in Cologne
- Adequate compensation according to AVR-Caritas including Christmas and holiday pay, child allowance as well as a company pension scheme and other social benefits (including subsidy for public transport)
Working for Malteser International
Malteser is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all people, regardless of gender, confession or origin. Severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration given equal qualifications. As a church-based employer, we expect identification with our values as a Catholic relief organisation.
Malteser International is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Malteser International conducts reference and background checks for all staff (including criminal records check for specific roles). Any candidate offered a job with Malteser International will be expected to sign MI’s Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.
Whether you work as a specialist on overseas service or in one of our regional offices - we offer you a challenging working environment in an experienced international team. More than 1,000 national and international staff are currently deployed in various crisis and disaster areas around the world as well as in our regional offices in Cologne and New York City. For more information please click here.
Contact Details:
Erna-Scheffler-Str. 2
51103 Köln
How to apply:
If you are interested in this position, kindly submit your extensive application (CV, letter of motivation, copies of diplomas and three professional references) online at our job portal until 10.11.2026.