Sponsorship Manager

CFA Society of the UK (CFA UK) is the leading professional membership body for investment professionals in the UK. With 12,000 members, we are one of the largest societies in the global CFA Institute network and the largest outside the United States. Our mission is to educate, connect and inspire the investment community to build a sustainable future. Through qualifications, events, research and communities, we advance the skills, connections and careers of investment professionals across the UK. Sponsorship, strategic and commercial partnerships are central to our financial sustainability and industry influence. We are looking for someone to shape sponsorship strategy, establish and grow sponsorship and partnerships that create value for members and generate sustainable commercial revenue. You will win new business and deepen relationships with our existing partners, while protecting CFA UK’s independence and reputation.

The Opportunity

This is a commercially focused, strategically important role for a driven sales and partnerships professional who wants to make a real mark. You will have genuine ownership of CFA UK's sponsorship and commercial partner function — identifying, pitching, winning, and managing partnerships with leading UK financial services firms. The role is weighted 60% new business development and 40% sponsor renewals and account management. You will build a pipeline from scratch, design and deliver your own outreach and engagement strategy, evolve the sponsorship product proposition, and translate commercial opportunities into long-term partnerships. If you are energetic, commercially sharp and ready to build something — this is the role for you.

What You'll Do

• New Business Development (60%)
• Design and implement a market outreach strategy to identify, approach, and convert new sponsors and commercial partners aligned with CFA UK's mission and audience.
• Research and map the market: identify target firms, key decision-makers and the value propositions most likely to succeed.
• Build and manage a structured pipeline — from first contact through to signed agreement and activation.
• Develop compelling, tailored sponsorship proposals and pitch materials that connect commercial objectives with CFA UK's member community.
• Seek regular feedback from CFA UK leadership team to ensure alignment.
• Lead negotiations and work with senior stakeholders to close agreements.
• Continuously refine the sponsorship product proposition — packaging events, content, data and community access into high-value partner offers.
• Develop multi-year sponsorship / partnership opportunities rather than one-off sales.
• Build senior relationships with commercial and executive decision-makers.
• Represent CFA UK externally across industry events and conferences.
• Account Management & Retention (40%)
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for existing sponsors and commercial partners — building trust, delivering on commitments and identifying upsell opportunities.
• Ensure all sponsor benefits are fulfilled: brand visibility, event integration, content placement, digital promotion and post-event reporting in line with contracted agreements.
• Proactively seek to renew, retain and grow existing accounts ahead of contract milestones.
• Work closely with the events, marketing and editorial teams to ensure partners receive a seamless, high-quality experience.
• Attend CFA UK events as required to host sponsors, manage on-the-day logistics and strengthen relationships in person.
• Strategy, Reporting & Collaboration
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records across the sponsorship pipeline and partner accounts using CFA UK's CRM.
• Produce regular pipeline and performance reports for senior leadership, tracking revenue against target.
• Support budget forecasting by maintaining committed and prospective revenue data.
• Collaborate with colleagues across marketing, events, communities and professional learning to ensure commercial opportunities are identified and maximised.
• Governance & Editorial Integrity
• Ensure all commercial sponsorships align with CFA UK’s mission, values and governance principles.
• Ensure strong data protection principles of members’ and customers’ data is followed.
• Protect CFA UK’s editorial independence by ensuring sponsorship does not dictate content, speaker selection, publications or research.
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure all sponsored activity delivers educational value for members.
• Maintain clear separation between commercial relationships and editorial decision‑making, by working closely with content, membership, communities and marketing teams.

Who We're Looking For

Essential

• Proven recent track record in a sales, business development or commercial partnerships role — you can demonstrate deals won, pipelines built and targets hit.
• Experience in account management, with the ability to retain and grow relationships over time.
• Experience of working in the UK financial services or investment sector.
• Excellent communicator: confident in writing, on calls and in the room with senior stakeholders.
• Commercially minded and strategically aware — you can see where the value is and articulate it clearly.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple accounts and campaigns simultaneously without dropping the ball.
• A self‑starter who takes initiative and is comfortable working autonomously.
• Strong commercial judgement balanced with an understanding of governance and reputation management.

Desirable

• Experience in a membership organisation, professional body, or events‑led environment.
• Familiarity with the investment management, or asset management sector.
• Experience designing and evolving a product or proposition — not just selling what already exists.

Compensation

Base salary depending on experience, plus a performance‑related commission structure for new sponsor revenue received.

Practical Details

• Contract: Fixed‑term, 12 months, probation period 3 months.
• Annual salary: £43k-£47.5k based on experience + commission.
• Location: Hybrid; 2‑3 days per week in our London office, near Liverpool Street.
• Generous company benefits: 25 days’ holiday, and 8 bank holidays (FTE), plus day off for ‘day of significance’ e.g. birthday, BUPA private health, life assurance, employee assistance program.
• Access to most CFA UK events.
• Hours: 9:30am–5:30pm, with occasional evening attendance at events.
• Start date: As soon as possible.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a CV, and a 1‑page covering letter explaining why you are suited for the role to hr@cfauk.org. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Right to work in the UK

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the point employment starts. CFA UK will carry out right to work checks either during the recruitment process or before employment commences. For this role, CFA UK is unable to provide visa sponsorship, so applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK will not be eligible for appointment. CFA UK may not respond to all applicants if a high level of applications is received and reserves the right to close applications at any time. By applying for this role, you acknowledge that CFA UK will process your personal data for recruitment purposes. CFA UK is a place where talent, ambition and integrity are celebrated.