Let’s be honest with you first

ProudZone is an emerging privacy-first digital ecosystem for the global 2SLGBTQ+ community — a space where millions of people who cannot safely access local community can find support, access services, and belong.

We are pre-seed and pre-revenue. That means this role comes with equity, not a salary — for now. We have structured it around a flexible commitment of a few focused hours a week, up to 15, because we understand this cannot be your only responsibility right now.

Our founding team spans two continents and several time zones — Germany, Canada, and Portugal. We live and breathe async, distributed work, and we would not have it any other way.

If you are looking for a stable income, this is not the right moment for you — and we would rather tell you that clearly than waste your time.

We also want to be clear: we are not looking for agencies, recruiters, or service providers. Direct applicants only.

If you are looking for the chance to build something meaningful from the ground up, read on.

The opportunity

At ProudZone, business development and partnerships are not just about closing deals — they are how we build trust with the organisations, supporters, and allies who share our mission.

We created this role because we believe that strong and successful business relationships take time — and we need to build them from ProudZone's earliest days.

You will manage these relationships end to end: the research, the outreach, the follow-up, and the handoff. The co-founders step in where their experience and vision need to be in the room — you make sure those moments are well-prepared and well-followed-up.

Your relationship management spans from early supporters and 2SLGBTQ+ organisations to broader stakeholders and strategic contacts.

What the role actually looks like

What you own

Research and qualify outreach targets Draft and send outreach messages and follow-up sequences Own the pipeline — keep records current, stages updated, every interaction logged Prepare briefings before every co-founder conversation Follow up after co-founder meetings and capture next steps Prepare the founding team for startup and industry events — and where budget allows and you would like to, join us there Regular pipeline updates to keep the co-founders informed

Working closely with the founding team

Some moments call for the co-founders to lead — your role is to set those moments up and carry them forward: Co-founder-led conversations with serious supporter and partner candidates Strategic partner meetings where the ProudZone vision needs to be felt, not just explained Sign-off on new outreach messages and sequences Shared decisions on who to pursue, who to nurture, and who to park

Your contribution makes every one of those moments possible — and shapes what happens next.

Who we’re looking for

There is no perfect profile for this role. But here is what tends to make it work:

You are energised by the chase

Cold outreach, follow-up sequences, and pipeline management do not drain you — they motivate you. You find satisfaction in moving things forward, even when the response rate is low and the timeline is long.

You understand mission-led conversations

BD work at ProudZone is not selling software. The organisations and supporters we approach care deeply about community, safety, and impact. You can hold that kind of conversation with authenticity — because you care about it too.

You are disciplined without being chased

Pipeline hygiene and consistent follow-through are second nature to you. You understand that a pipeline only works if the data behind it is reliable.

You communicate clearly in English

Most outreach is in English. Clear, warm, human writing — no jargon, no oversell — is essential. Our editorial standard is plain language that respects the reader.

You have some relevant experience

We are not looking for a seasoned sales director. But some exposure to B2B outreach, partnership development, community relations, or business development — in any context, including volunteering or side projects — gives you a foundation to build from.

Connection to or lived experience within the 2SLGBTQ+ community is not a requirement — but a genuine commitment to the mission is.

How we start: a mutual trial

Before committing to a long-term founding role, we begin with a 4-8 week trial collaboration. This is a low-risk way for both of us to experience how we work together before making a bigger commitment.

During the trial you can expect

A clearly scoped outreach task to work on together Flexible time commitment within the agreed limit Full confidentiality and IP alignment from day one No equity vesting during the trial period

If it feels right on both sides, the role transitions into the full Founding Business and Partnership Development Lead position with equity vesting.

Equity and compensation

This is an equity-based role while ProudZone is in its pre-funding phase. We are honest about what that means: equity is not income, and this role cannot be your only focus right now. A flexible commitment of a few focused hours a week, up to 15, reflects that reality.

Equity range: up to 1–2% fully diluted, negotiable based on experience and contribution. That is our starting point, not a ceiling — we are open to a conversation.

When ProudZone reaches funding, compensation transitions to a salary structure. Equity earned in the pre-funding phase is yours. If you wish, the role can grow into a full-time position — we would love nothing more than to build that future together.

We would rather be transparent about the risk than oversell the opportunity.

Before you reach out

Two things we want you to know upfront, so you can make an informed decision:

This role is equity-only while we are pre-funding. There is no salary at this stage. If that does not work for your situation right now, we completely understand — please do not feel obligated to apply.

This role exists within a 2SLGBTQ+ community context. That shapes everything — how we communicate, who we partner with, and what we are willing to compromise on. If that resonates with you, we would very much like to meet.

If both of those feel right, we would love to hear from you.