The Role
The Partnerships Manager is a key member of the Festival team, acting as an ambassador to local and international contacts. They are responsible for recruiting and managing all Design Districts, Design Fairs and Programme Partners which create the foundation of London Design Festival. The successful candidate will look after a database of over 1,500 accounts to inspire partners to take part in this year’s programme. They will continually develop these relationships and identify new strategic opportunities for business growth. The ideal candidate is a commercially minded “people’s person”, confident in leading on new business opportunities and enthusiastic about meeting targets. They will have a minimum of 5 years’ experience working in partnerships management, account management, business development or similar. The role demands a candidate that has an exceptional eye for detail, is a strategic thinker, proactive in approach and a problem-solver. A passion for working in the cultural sector is favourable. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written are essential. This role works closely with the content, communications and commercial teams, the Festival Director, as well as external stakeholders.
Primary responsibilities will include:
Sales and Business Development
Act as an ambassador for the Festival, ensuring that the Festival presents a professional, enthusiastic and engaging face to all partners
Work with the Festival Director to define the business strategy and targets for the partner programme
Strategise and recruit new Partners, whilst managing the retention of existing Partners
Identify additional commercial opportunities with key partners to aid business growth
Produce media decks, partner information packs and proposals when needed
Develop strategic relationships with key organisations including councils, developers, BIDS, etc.
Database Management
Manage and record all enquiries from existing and new partners in our CRM system (Salesforce)
Gather and input comprehensive data for each account to aid later reporting
Maintain an accurate pipeline of opportunities
Reporting
Lead sales strategy, track and report on sales on a weekly basis
Maintain cohesive financial reporting, issue invoices, track payments.
Issue post-festival survey to partners and provide a post festival report that evaluates the success of the partner programme.
Provide relevant data to help strategic decisions for the following year.
Account Management
Ensure the communication to Partners and their experience of LDF is excellent
Onboard new Partners via email or calls
Connect partners with relevant opportunities (available space, collaborations etc)
Organise, manage and present regular partner briefings in the lead up to the Festival
Liaising with the content and digital team to ensure Partner deliverables are met
Develop and account manage key relationships with Partners, including Design Fairs, Design Districts.
Provide advice, support and answer enquires throughout the year for Partners
Communications
Liaise with content and digital team to develop sales marketing strategy to recruit partners across digital media platforms
Write and send partner emails to help recruit partners to the programme
Help collate listing content for the printed and online assets. Check and edit content when needed and liaise directly with the communications team and Partners
Publish and maintain online partner programme
Help manage distribution of Festival promotional assets
Person Specification
5 years relevant experience in a partnerships, account management, business development role or similar
An ambitious self-starter, with excellent time management and organisational skills
Excellent communication skills, written and verbal. Comfortable presenting to Partners of various different levels within organisations
Exceptional networking skills
Target driven and a strategic thinker
Passion about the creative and cultural sector desirable
Job Overview
Job Title: Festival Partnerships Manager
Hours & Location: Full time (37.5 hours per week with one hour lunch), office-based in Holborn, central London
Start Date: March 2023
Contract: Permanent (full time) with 25 days annual leave, employer's pension contribution, and cycle to work scheme.
Salary: Competitive, based on experience
Application Process
Please send your CV together with a one-page cover letter with the subject ‘Festival Partnerships Manager’ to jobs@londondesignfestival.com by midnight 22 February 2023.
Interviews will take place shortly after the closing date. Reference checks will be undertaken as a condition of the job offer.
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