Business Development Manager

Do you want to turn large scale ecosystem restoration into global impact? As a Business Development Manager within Ocean Health, you connect commercial strength to the recovery of nature worldwide. You spot opportunities across markets and transform them into commercial partnerships that restore biodiversity at scale. Here, your work directly contributes to healthier oceans, resilient coastlines and ecosystems that can rebalance themselves. You help nature recover while building a strong and future proof business around the world.

The position

Ocean Health is growing. To accelerate our commercial success, we strengthen our focus on lead conversion, product positioning and go to market strategy. As Business Development Manager, you build the commercial foundation that enables large scale ecosystem restoration projects worldwide.

You work closely with our Marine Biodiversity team and translate ecological expertise into viable commercial opportunities and solutions. From mangroves to coastal areas and marine habitats, you identify where restoration and business come together. Each quarter, you shape and refine the commercial strategy for your markets and move opportunities from initial contact to contract.

Your impact

You make large scale commercial ecosystem restoration happen. Ambitions turn into funded projects because you build strong relationships and create clear account plans.

You will:

• Generate and qualify new leads in marine ecosystem restoration
• Identify high potential restoration projects and convert them into concrete business
• Develop account plans and sales processes
• Build long term relationships with clients, partners and internal and external stakeholders
• Increase our commercial pipeline and convert from proposal to contract

Your impact is visible. Ecosystems recover at scale. Biodiversity increases. Ocean Health grows as a trusted commercial partner in global restoration scene.

Your workplace

You are based in Rotterdam, at the heart of our maritime innovation, with a global focus. You work in a team that combines commercial drive with ecological expertise and a strong sense of purpose.

In Ocean Health, you get the freedom to shape your approach. We trust your judgement and value your ideas. Together with colleagues from Marine Biodiversity and other disciplines, you develop solutions that are technically strong and commercially sound as well as impactful for nature.

You are externally focused and comfortable in conversations with clients and partners. At the same time, you collaborate closely with internal teams to make sure we deliver what we promise.

About you

You are commercially sharp and driven by purpose. You see opportunities where others see complexity. You enjoy building relationships and turning conversations into long term commercial partnerships.

You bring:

• Proven experience in B2B or project based selling and account management with the ability to translate complex product into a commercially understandable solution
• The ability to generate and qualify new leads and structure a strong lead pipeline
• Experience with consultative selling and managing multiple external and internal stakeholders
• Affinity with marine biodiversity and ecosystem restoration is a plus
• Strong communication skills in English and the willingness to keep learning

You think strategically and act decisively every day. You combine innovative thinking with a practical mindset. Most of all, you want your commercial success to contribute to real ecological impact.

We offer

In this role, you contribute to large scale ecosystem restoration while building a strong commercial future for Ocean Health.

• A salary that matches your responsibilities and experience
• Attractive travel allowance and home working allowance
• 32 holidays (of which a maximum of 7 are collective)
• Variable bonus, partly dependent on company results
• Attractive pension scheme
• Option for collective health insurance (Van Oord pays for your supplementary package)
• Extensive development opportunities, including a comprehensive online academy via Goodhabitz
• Communities to join, such as Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women, and the Van Oord staff association
• Various events and sports activities, such as skiing, sailing weekends, cycling, and motorcycling

At Van Oord, I don’t just work on projects, I get to see them come to life. Nicole Discipline Engineer