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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and partnerships to drive growth and innovation.
- Company: Join a creative organisation making waves in the design and cultural sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building meaningful partnerships and driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in commercial development and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to represent the company at industry events.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a cohesive commercial strategy aligned with I.D.E.A.'s mission and longâterm growth objectives.
- Lead and expand the partnerships and sales function, setting clear KPIs and performance goals.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of sponsorship, brand and institutional partners.
- Develop compelling proposals, pitch decks and commercial materials.
- Work closely with internal teams to integrate commercial partnerships into programming, communications and delivery.
- Track and report on performance metrics, budgets and revenue forecasts.
- Negotiate and manage contracts, ensuring strong longâterm relationships with partners.
- Identify and develop new commercial opportunities in both the UK and internationally.
- Represent I.D.E.A. and its projects at industry events and stakeholder meetings.
Essential Skills and Experience
- A proven track record in commercial development, business development or partnerships within a creative, cultural or designâled organisation.
- Strong network or demonstrable ability to build relationships across brands, agencies and cultural partners.
- Experience using CRM systems (ideally Salesforce) to manage pipelines and reporting.
- Excellent copywriting and presentation skills, including experience developing pitches and proposals.
- Strong financial literacy â comfortable managing budgets, revenue and forecasts.
- Dataâdriven approach with the ability to analyse performance and inform strategy.
- Strong negotiation and client management skills with experience developing longâterm partnerships.
- Understanding of brand storytelling and how to build authentic, mutually beneficial collaborations.
- Experience supporting or leading elements of a commercial or partnerships team.
- Knowledge of the design, culture or creative industries (UK and/or international).
- Experience working across both B2B and B2C environments.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to jobs@londondesignfestival.com by Friday 12th December 2025.
Senior Development Manager in London employer: London Design Festival
Contact Detail:
London Design Festival Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Senior Development Manager in London
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and donât be shy about reaching out to potential partners or mentors. Remember, itâs all about building those relationships that can lead to opportunities.
â¨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to present or pitch, make sure you bring your A-game. Create compelling proposals and pitch decks that highlight your experience in commercial development and partnerships. We want to see your creativity shine!
â¨Tip Number 3
Stay data-driven! Use your analytical skills to track performance metrics and inform your strategies. Being able to demonstrate how youâve used data to drive decisions will set you apart from the competition. Plus, it shows youâre serious about achieving those KPIs!
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission. So, go ahead and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Development Manager in London
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in commercial development and partnerships, and donât forget to showcase your strong network and relationship-building skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why youâre the perfect fit for I.D.E.A. and how your background aligns with their mission. Be sure to mention your experience with CRM systems and your financial literacy.
Showcase Your Copywriting Skills: Since excellent copywriting is key for this role, make sure your application materials are well-written and engaging. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to develop pitches and proposals that resonate.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Donât miss out on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Design Festival
â¨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the company's mission and long-term growth objectives. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their commercial strategy and how you can contribute to it.
â¨Showcase Your Networking Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built relationships across brands and agencies in the past. Highlight specific partnerships you've developed and how they benefited your previous employers, as this will demonstrate your ability to expand their partnerships and sales function.
â¨Master the Art of Pitching
Since you'll need to develop compelling proposals and pitch decks, practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently. Bring along a sample pitch or proposal that showcases your copywriting skills and creativity, as this will set you apart from other candidates.
â¨Be Data-Driven
Familiarise yourself with key performance metrics and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform your strategies in the past. This will show that you have a strong analytical approach and can effectively track and report on performance metrics.
