Growth Manager Creative Industries (18 Month FTC) - Manchester

Grow London Global supports ambitious London businesses to expand internationally through tailored account management, trade missions, access to investors and corporates, specialist advice and a strong peer community. Building on this experience, London & Partners is leading a new UK-wide scale-up programme with government and regional delivery partners. The programme will support 200 ambitious businesses to accelerate their growth, access new markets and connect with customers, investors and expertise. Across both programmes, we connect innovative businesses with the support and relationships they need to succeed.

Purpose of role

Help ambitious Creative Industries businesses take their brands, ideas and technologies to new markets and achieve growth. As Growth Manager Creative Industries you will recruit and support companies across Grow London Global and our new UK-wide scale-up programme, working with businesses in London and across the UK. Your portfolio will bring together fashion and consumer brands, design and creative content businesses, alongside technologies transforming retail and e-commerce, advertising and marketing, screen production, gaming and live experiences. This includes businesses developing immersive technologies and new ways to create, distribute and experience content. Working directly with founders, CEOs and senior leadership teams, you will understand their ambitions and the challenges they face, from building a brand internationally and securing distribution to winning commercial customers, monetising content and attracting investment. You will turn these insights into practical growth plans, connecting companies with relevant expertise, investors, industry partners and international opportunities. You will build trusted relationships and help businesses make progress through both 12-month programmes.

Key Tasks

• Sector planning and recruitment: Work with the Senior Growth Manager Creative Industries to deliver sector priorities and achieve agreed recruitment, engagement and company outcome targets. Build a strong pipeline of eligible businesses recruiting businesses from across the UK into the new programme. Develop referral relationships with regional partners, investors, fashion and design organisations, innovation centres and accelerators. Understand each prospective company's ambitions and suitability working with the Operations team to coordinate applications, eligibility checks and onboarding. Bring company feedback and sector intelligence into planning helping the team to identify relevant markets, themes and activities.
• Account management and company growth: Manage a portfolio of Creative Industries businesses across both programmes, building trusted relationships with founders, CEOs and senior leaders. Conduct diagnostics to understand each company's product, business model, commercial readiness, customer traction, investment needs and international ambitions. Develop tailored growth plans with clear actions and milestones reviewing progress regularly and adapting support as company needs evolve. Help companies identify and assess international opportunities, considering customer demand, local infrastructure, policy and regulatory conditions and route to market. Connect fashion brands and commerce technology businesses with relevant retailers, buyers, marketplaces, distributors and technology partners. Connect advertising, marketing and creative technology companies with brands, agencies, media organisations and enterprise customers. Help screen, gaming, immersive and live experience businesses build relationships with publishers, platforms, producers, venues and commercial partners. Tailor support to different business models, including product sales, subscriptions, creative services and intellectual property. Bring in specialist expertise on matters such as brand protection, localisation, logistics and market access where relevant. Help companies prepare for introductions and programme activities ensuring they have clear objectives and follow through on opportunities. Identify companies at risk of disengaging and work with colleagues to address barriers to participation.
• Trade missions and sector activity: Plan and deliver trade missions and international visits, working with the Senior Growth Manager and market teams (where appropriate) to identify destinations and commercial objectives. Curate relevant meetings with buyers, brands, agencies, media and entertainment businesses, technology partners and investors. Prepare participating companies for missions and coordinate follow-up help to turn connections into tangible opportunities. Work with content and events colleagues to develop workshops, roundtables investor sessions and peer learning around company needs. Connect companies with relevant activity across both programmes and opportunities offered by regional and international partners. Represent London & Partners and the programmes at sector events, presenting, moderating discussions and building relationships where required.
• Relationships and collaboration: Build and maintain relationships across London, UK regional and international Creative Industries ecosystems. Work closely with regional delivery partners to identify promising businesses. Develop relationships with investors, fashion and retail networks, creative organisations, media and technology businesses, investors and specialist advisers that create practical value for companies. Collaborate with Growth Managers across sectors where companies have overlapping needs, including enterprise technologies, AI and green innovation. Work with the Operations team to agree executive support for recruitment, providing clear briefs and timely feedback.
• Performance and programme administration: Take responsibility for agreed portfolio targets, including companies supported, engagement, satisfaction and evidenced growth outcomes. Maintain accurate Salesforce records of company needs, growth plans, key programme dates, support delivered and follow-up actions. Capture company outcomes through timely graduation of companies. Identify early successes and work with Operations, Impact and Marketing colleagues to develop credible case studies. Manage activity budgets within the roles remit and follow London & Partners procurement and compliance processes. Undertake other projects or special assignments appropriate to the role as required.

You’ll have/bring:

• You have experience managing a portfolio of businesses or client relationships, building trust with senior leaders and delivering against targets.
• You understand Creative Industries with knowledge of areas such as fashion and brands, creative content or technologies transforming commerce, media and entertainment.
• You appreciate the different routes to international growth, including retail and e-commerce, enterprise sales, licensing, publishing and distribution.
• You understand the challenges of international expansion and can connect companies with practical support, market insight and specialist expertise.
• You can build a recruitment pipeline and develop productive relationships with investors, industry partners and business networks.
• You have experience delivering activities such as trade missions, corporate meetings, investor engagement or sector events.
• You communicate clearly and confidently, including presenting, networking and engaging stakeholders from different backgrounds.
• You can manage projects and competing priorities working collaboratively while taking ownership of your portfolio.
• You are confident using Microsoft Office and Salesforce systems, experience of Dealroom or Beauhurst would be an advantage.
• An existing technology or international network, or a relevant qualification would be beneficial but is not essential.

Competencies:

• You are curious about creativity, brands and technology and motivated by helping businesses grow.
• You listen carefully and translate company ambitions into practical actions and relevant connections.
• You build productive relationships and work collaboratively across teams, regions and international markets.
• You combine commercial awareness with an appreciation of different audience needs, brand position and different creative business models.
• You adapt as priorities change, solve problems creatively and maintain momentum.
• You use evidence and sound judgement to focus your efforts and demonstrate results.

You’ll Get:

• 30 Days Annual Leave: Generous paid time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
• Competitive Salary: We value your contributions and ensure you are rewarded accordingly.
• Learning & Development Opportunities: Continuous growth is at the heart of our culture, with ample opportunities for professional development.
• Strong Culture of Belonging: We foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and supported.
• Various Networks for Staff: Connect with like-minded colleagues through our numerous staff networks.
• Competitive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our robust pension plan.
• Networking Opportunities: Expand your professional network within your chosen field.
• Geopolitical Insights: Gain unique perspectives on global economic and political trends.
• Hybrid Working Arrangement: Enjoy the flexibility of working both remotely and in-office.
• WorkFlex: Take advantage of opportunities to work abroad and experience different cultures.

London's diversity is its biggest asset. At London & Partners, we aim to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the city that we promote. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or assignment, faith or disability. We also appreciate that many people require flexibility in their working patterns and encourage you to talk to us at interview about any flexibility you may need, be it full-time, job-share, or part-time. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.