Born to a minor noble family, Conrad rose through the ranks of the diocese of Halberstadt. By 1193 he was chief provost, shouldering major responsibility during Bishop Gardolf's absence on the Crusade of 1197–1198. He supported Duke Philip of Swabia over Count Otto of Poitou in the German succession war that began in 1198. For this reason, he was excommunicated shortly after his election as bishop and joined the Fourth Crusade. He was with the army at the sack of Constantinople. Afterwards he fulfilled his vow to go to the Holy Land and exercised episcopal authority in the see of Tyre during the archbishop's six-month absence. He later served as vicar of the see of Naumburg for over a year in 1217–1218.