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- Tasks: Manage and grow relationships with key commercial partners in a dynamic events business.
- Company: Fast-growing, founder-led events company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, hybrid work, and travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a small team and make a real impact on strategic partnerships and event success.
- Qualifications: Experience in partnerships or account management, with strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for strategic input and career growth in a thriving environment.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.
A founder-led, fast-growing events and senior community business is looking for a relationship-led Partnerships Manager to nurture and grow a carefully curated portfolio of commercial partners. This is not a high-volume, cold-calling sales role. It’s a farmer position. You’ll manage circa 25 key partners, with around 70% of revenue coming from renewals and rebooks. The focus is on deepening relationships, delivering meaningful value, and ensuring partners return year after year. There is new business (circa 30%), but it’s warm, targeted and reputation-driven – not spray-and-pray. You’ll play a visible role in a small, ambitious team and be part of the strategic growth of the business as it scales.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Manage and develop a portfolio of around 25 commercial partners
- Lead renewal conversations and secure rebooks at agreed fee levels
- Ensuring that the revenue target for each event is achieved via these strategic partnerships
- Support selective, targeted outreach for aligned new partners
- Work closely with founders on commercial strategy and revenue forecasting
- Promoting the value proposition in new business conversations and face to face with partners and attendees at the events
Relationship Management
- Act as the primary point of contact for partners- ensuring their experience is first class
- Build long-term, trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders
- Ensure partner expectations are clearly scoped and consistently delivered
- Identify upsell or value-enhancement opportunities organically
- Understanding what the ROI looks like for each of your partners
Event Delivery & Partner Activations
- Oversee partner experience across the full event lifecycle
- Collaborate with marketing and operations teams to execute agreed deliverables
- Attend and support five curated events per year (UK & international)
- Ensure partners feel welcomed, briefed and genuinely valued onsite
- Gather and act on feedback post-event
The Environment
- Small, collaborative team
- Direct exposure to founders
- High-quality B2B events and senior industry audience (over 20 years in the business)
- Clear opportunity to shape processes as the business grows
- Strategic input welcomed, not just delivery
What They’re Looking For
- Experience in partnerships, sponsorship, events or relationship-led account management/sales roles
- Strong account management and renewal mindset
- Comfortable engaging senior stakeholders
- Organised and confident managing multiple workstreams
- Commercially aware but not aggressively sales-led
- Happy travelling for events (approx. five per year, UK & international)
If you have previous Account Management, Sponsorship or Events Sales experience please apply online now.
Sponsorship Manager in Manchester employer: Optimise Talent Ltd
Contact Detail:
Optimise Talent Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sponsorship Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events and connect with people in the sponsorship and partnerships space. Building relationships can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your personality! When you get the chance for an interview or a casual chat, let your passion for relationship management shine through. It’s all about making a genuine connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Do your homework! Research the company and its partners before any meeting. Knowing their values and goals will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your commitment.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up! After meetings or interviews, send a quick thank-you note. It shows you appreciate their time and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reinforce those relationships!
We think you need these skills to ace Sponsorship Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Partnerships Manager. Highlight your experience in managing relationships and nurturing partnerships, as this is key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your ability to deliver value and achieve renewals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you’re passionate about building long-term relationships and how you can contribute to our growth. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love seeing the real you!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your past roles, focus on your experience with account management and event delivery. We want to see how you've successfully managed partners and driven revenue through renewals and upselling opportunities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optimise Talent Ltd
✨Know Your Partners
Before the interview, research the company’s existing partners and their industries. Understanding their needs and how the company adds value will help you demonstrate your relationship management skills and show that you're ready to nurture those connections.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed partnerships or accounts. Highlight instances where you deepened relationships or secured renewals, as this aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for in a Sponsorship Manager.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle various partnership scenarios. Think through potential challenges you might face in managing key partners and be prepared to discuss your strategies for overcoming them while ensuring a first-class experience.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with founders and other teams, be sure to express your enthusiasm for collaboration. Share examples of how you’ve worked in small teams to achieve strategic goals, and emphasise your willingness to contribute to shaping processes as the business grows.