At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and drive commercial growth for a renowned creative organisation.
- Company: Join D&AD, the global authority on creative excellence with a rich history.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, international travel, and the chance to shape the creative industry.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and collaboration with top industry leaders.
- Why this job: Be a key player in building impactful partnerships that elevate creativity worldwide.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in business development and relationship management at senior levels.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 100000 £ per year.
Reports to: Chief Commercial & Operations Officer
Contract: Full time. Hours: 35 hours per week, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, may vary depending on the events and client visits.
Location: London with some international travel.
Salary: £70k - £100 basic salary depending on experience + OTE of £35k (total £105 - £135)
About D&AD: D&AD is the global authority on creative excellence. For more than 60 years we have set the highest standard for creativity through our internationally recognised Awards, world-class learning programmes and initiatives that develop the next generation of creative talent. As we enter the next stage of our growth, we are investing in strategic partnerships that expand our global influence, strengthen our commercial performance and increase our impact across the creative industries. We are seeking an exceptional commercial leader to help build and lead this agenda.
The Opportunity: This is not a traditional sponsorship role. We are looking for an accomplished senior business development and partnerships leader with an exceptional track record of opening doors, building trusted relationships at board and executive level and converting those relationships into long-term commercial partnerships. The successful candidate will be a natural self-starter who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment. They will be comfortable creating opportunities from scratch, developing relationships with senior decision makers and representing one of the world's most respected creative organisations. They will understand how to sell value rather than inventory, building partnerships that create genuine strategic benefit for both D&AD and our partners. This individual will play a central role in delivering D&AD's commercial growth strategy.
Purpose of the Role: To identify, develop and secure significant new commercial partnerships, sponsorships and strategic relationships that generate sustainable revenue and increase D&AD's influence globally. The role will focus on building long-term relationships with senior leaders across global brands, agencies, technology companies, media businesses, educational institutions and organisations that share D&AD's commitment to creativity.
Key Responsibilities:
- Commercial Growth
- Develop and deliver a proactive commercial partnership strategy that supports D&AD's long-term growth ambitions.
- Identify and secure significant new sponsorship and partnership opportunities across D&AD's Awards, Festival, Learning, New Blood, Shift and future commercial initiatives.
- Create and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified commercial opportunities.
- Personally generate new business through targeted outreach, networking and relationship development.
- Negotiate high-value commercial agreements that create long-term value.
- Consistently exceed ambitious annual revenue targets.
- Strategic Partnerships
- Build trusted relationships with senior executives including CEOs, CMOs, Chief Creative Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, agency leaders and founders.
- Develop partnerships that extend beyond financial sponsorship into strategic collaboration.
- Represent D&AD at industry events, conferences and international meetings.
- Identify emerging partnership opportunities in new sectors including technology, AI, gaming, entertainment, consulting and education.
- Work closely with the CCO and CEO to develop relationships with major international organisations and strategic partners.
- Client Relationship Management
- Act as a senior ambassador for D&AD.
- Develop long-term executive relationships with existing partners, ensuring exceptional service and renewal rates.
- Lead regular strategic reviews with major partners.
- Identify opportunities to expand existing commercial relationships.
- Ensure every partner experiences D&AD as a premium global organisation.
- Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with Awards, Learning, Festival, Marketing and Communications teams to develop compelling partnership propositions.
- Collaborate with colleagues to create commercially attractive products and programmes.
- Provide commercial insight into new product development.
- Support cross-functional planning to maximise commercial opportunities across the organisation.
- Market Intelligence
- Maintain a detailed understanding of trends across advertising, design, technology, media, entertainment and brand marketing.
- Monitor competitor activity and identify new commercial opportunities.
- Develop insight into emerging sectors that align with D&AD's mission.
Candidate Profile: We are looking for an exceptional commercial professional with the confidence and credibility to operate at the highest levels of business. The successful candidate is likely to have built their career in driving new business across advertising, media, marketing, consultancy or a related commercial environment. Most importantly, they will have demonstrated an outstanding ability to win new business.
Essential Experience:
- A proven track record of consistently delivering significant new business revenue.
- Extensive experience selling complex, high-value commercial partnerships.
- Demonstrable success developing relationships with senior executives.
- Experience negotiating six figure commercial agreements.
- Strong commercial judgement and excellent financial awareness.
- Experience working in fast-moving entrepreneurial organisations.
- A well-established network across agencies, global brands, media owners, technology companies or the wider creative industries.
- Outstanding presentation, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Evidence of consistently exceeding commercial targets.
Personal Attributes: Highly entrepreneurial with exceptional drive and personal accountability. Naturally curious and commercially minded. Comfortable creating opportunities where none currently exist. Resilient, determined and persistent. Highly credible with excellent executive presence. Outstanding relationship builder who quickly earns trust. Confident engaging with CEO and senior leaders. Strategic thinker with strong commercial instincts. Collaborative and generous with colleagues. Organised, disciplined and able to manage multiple complex opportunities simultaneously. Passionate about creativity and the value it creates for business.
Success Measures: Success in this role will be measured through:
- Delivery of annual commercial revenue targets.
- Strategic value of new partnerships secured.
- Growth in strategic partner portfolio.
- Renewal and expansion of existing commercial relationships.
- Development of long-term executive relationships.
- Quality and value of commercial pipeline.
- Contribution to D&AD's wider commercial strategy.
Why Join D&AD? This is an opportunity to help shape one of the world's most respected creative organisations at a pivotal point in its history. You will work directly with the senior leadership team to build new commercial partnerships that strengthen D&AD's global influence and create lasting impact across the creative industries. If you are an ambitious commercial leader who enjoys opening doors, building relationships and creating transformational partnerships, we would love to hear from you. D&AD is committed to diversity, equality, equity, inclusion and respect for all. Providing a work environment in which all employees are treated with fairness, respect and dignity and which is free of discrimination, victimisation, bullying and harassment. At D&AD we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you!
Brand & Partnerships Director in London employer: D&AD
D&AD is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a hybrid working model based in London, employees enjoy the flexibility of remote work while engaging in meaningful events and jury selections that shape the future of design and advertising. D&AD prioritises professional growth, offering unique opportunities to connect with industry leaders and contribute to prestigious awards, making it a rewarding place for passionate individuals seeking to make an impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Brand & Partnerships Director in London
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
If you're aiming for a full-time role in business intelligence, brush up on your skills with popular data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showcasing projects where you've transformed raw data into clear visual insights can give you a real edge.
✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like D&AD!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Support
If you're a recent graduate, definitely tap into your university's career services. Many have connections with companies in need of full-time BI specialists, and they can guide you on how to pitch yourself effectively—don't miss out on that!
We think you need these skills to ace Brand & Partnerships Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at D&AD, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at D&AD
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with D&AD’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
