Associate Director, Brand Partnerships Operations (12 month FTC)

The Business of Fashion is seeking a highly experienced and operationally minded Associate Director, Brand Partnership Operations to join our Brand Partnerships team on a 12-month maternity cover contract. This pivotal role is responsible for leading the seamless execution of branded content, digital advertising programmes, and a wide range of custom events, from intimate roundtables to large-scale summits across our global client portfolio. As the operational engine of the partnerships team, the Associate Director will serve as the key liaison between BoF’s Sales and Content Strategy teams, owning the global master partnerships calendar and ensuring flawless cross-functional collaboration and delivery.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience managing a large volume of complex, integrated projects while leading a high-performing team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

What We Need You To Do

• Partnership Delivery & Project Oversight: Oversee the delivery of 30+ active partnerships at any one time, ensuring exceptional execution across all campaign elements including branded content, custom events, digital media, and executive experiences. Serve as the strategic lead on operational planning for complex, multi-channel campaigns, working closely with Sales, Content Strategy, Marketing and Events teams. Ensure all deliverables are on time, on brand, and exceeding client expectations through rigorous attention to detail and proactive project management.
• Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Manage and mentor a small team of Brand Partnerships Managers and Associates, fostering a collaborative, efficient, and solutions-oriented culture. Act as the central point of contact between Sales and Content Strategy, ensuring seamless communication and alignment across functions. Set the tone and standard for client communications across the team, ensuring clarity, professionalism, and a consistent brand voice throughout all touchpoints. Lead regular internal status meetings, provide senior oversight on resourcing and prioritisation, and resolve conflicts or bottlenecks as they arise.
• Calendar & Workflow Management: Own and maintain the master partnerships calendar, overseeing timelines, workflows, and capacity planning across the full pipeline of sold and upcoming partnerships. Work in close collaboration with the Head of Brand Partnerships and Director of Content Strategy to optimise internal processes and ensure accurate forecasting of resource needs.
• Custom Event Execution: Lead the operational delivery of BoF’s custom events including partner-branded dinners, Executive Roundtables, panel discussions, and flagship events in key global markets. Coordinate closely with our Events and Marketing teams to deliver outstanding, bespoke experiences tailored to each client’s objectives.
• Process Improvement & Strategic Input: Champion best practices in campaign delivery and operational excellence, proactively identifying opportunities to streamline workflows and enhance team performance. Provide strategic input during the pitch and planning phases of partnerships, advising on feasibility, resourcing, and timelines.

Who You Are

• Demonstrated depth and breadth of experience in an operational or execution-focused role within branded content, events, partnerships, media or agency environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of complex projects and events across multiple geographies and stakeholders.
• Proven success leading high-functioning teams in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional organisational skills with a deep understanding of timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
• Confident communicator with a collaborative mindset and strong stakeholder management experience.
• Comfortable managing senior internal and external stakeholders, with a calm and solutions-focused approach.