At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage partnerships and operations for exciting events, ensuring seamless delivery and value creation.
- Company: Join a creative agency that connects brands with music, fashion, and youth culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, 25 days holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and creativity.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of innovative events and build lasting relationships in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in event operations, strong relationship-building skills, and a commercial mindset.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
AVA & UP Productions is in the business of making moments. We are part creative agency, part cultural institution - built to connect audiences and brands with music, fashion, and youth culture through experiences that endure long after the lights go down. UP Productions is the agency engine at our core, specialising in the design and delivery of real-world brand experiences. Working across conferences, retail pop-ups, and large-scale event activations, we provide end-to-end services - strategy, creative, design, production, and operations - translating bold ideas into cultural engagement and measurable impact.
Our mission is to instigate innovation, collaborate with artistic talent, and develop culture through creative arts, music, design, and discussion. AVA Festival & Conference is the flagship expression of that mission. Founded by UP Productions in 2015, AVA was built with two distinct identities: an International Showcase Festival & Conference operating as a ticketed event, alongside community-focused conference and free fringe programme operating as a not-for-profit.
We're growing our commercial division and looking for a Senior Operations & Partnerships Manager to sit at the heart of our partner relationships and event delivery machine.
THE ROLE
This is a dual-focus position - part partnership & relationship builder, part operational engine. You'll identify commercial relationships, pitch and secure long-term partners, and manage retained commercial contracts through to on-the-ground activation, while also owning the systems and processes that keep our commercial operations running smoothly.
WHAT YOU WILL OWN > PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT 50%
- Day-to-day management of commercial & operational partners, ensuring rights and obligations are fulfilled
- Building long-term relationships that drive satisfaction, renewal, and genuine commercial value
- Drafting agreements, ensuring all parties are aligned, and deliverables achievable
- Regular reporting, recaps, and insights shared with partners and internal teams
- Planning and executing partner campaigns across physical activations, digital, and event platforms
- Acting as on-site partner liaison at our live events, ensuring seamless delivery on the ground
- Close collaboration with our events and operations teams to execute rights efficiently
- Supporting the Founder & Marketing sales cycle
- Building our media partnerships in collaboration with the marketing department
- Contributing ideas to expand our commercial and experiential offering
WHAT YOU WILL OWN > COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS 50%
- Continue to develop, whilst maintaining internal systems and trackers for real-time visibility of commercial activity
- Creating and implementing a consolidated asset mix as our event portfolio grows, creating value for our partners
- Leading asset delivery - from rights creation through to execution with event and production teams
- Working with delivery partners and licensees to activate rights on the ground
- Cross-functional collaboration across the bars, marketing, production, and talent teams for cohesive activations
- Owning the event, bar & partnership delivery budget, supplier relations, forecasting, and reporting to the Founder & CEO
- Identifying suppliers, and building long-term valued relationships & economies of scale
- Map staffing and recruitment requirements, supporting managers with the interview process
- Evolving the company playbook and seek support to implement company policies, presenting and disseminating to the team
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- 8+ years in event operations & partnerships
- Senior-level background
- Large, fast-moving bars
- Premium F&B events across UK & Ireland
- Sponsorship / account management
- Live events or entertainment
- Agency management
- On-site activation delivery
- £1m+ Budget ownership
SKILLS
- Multiple stakeholder management
- Relationship building
- Project management
- CRM systems, including Notion
- Google Workspace
- Commercial instinct
- Detailed Contract Management
- Confident communicator
- Rippling HR
WHAT YOU GET
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- TOIL for all live event days
- 25 days paid holiday + bank holidays
- Social events & free tickets to events
- Competitive pension plan
- Training & professional development
- Enhanced parental leave
- Flexible working structure
- An inclusive, collaborative & creative working environment
OUR COMMITMENT
UP Productions & AVA is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We know that the best teams are built on diversity of thought, and we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and able to do their best work.
Senior Operations & Partnerships Manager in London employer: UP Productions Ltd
Contact Detail:
UP Productions Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations & Partnerships Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential partners or colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website that highlights your past projects and achievements. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can bring value to the team at AVA & UP Productions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of creating memorable experiences. Tailor your answers to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the culture too!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our creative journey at AVA & UP Productions.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations & Partnerships Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how your love for events and partnerships aligns with our mission at AVA & UP Productions.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in event operations and partnerships. We’re looking for someone who can bring their unique skills to the table, so don’t be shy about showcasing what you’ve done!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and skills are easy to spot. Remember, we’re busy making moments happen!
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at UP Productions Ltd
✨Know Your Partnerships
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's existing partnerships and collaborations. Understand their key partners and how they align with the brand's mission. This will not only show your interest but also help you discuss how you can contribute to building and managing these relationships.
✨Showcase Your Operational Expertise
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed operations in a fast-paced environment. Highlight your ability to streamline processes and ensure smooth event delivery, as this role heavily relies on operational efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss how you've identified and secured commercial opportunities in previous roles. Share insights on how you’ve created value for partners and driven satisfaction, as this is crucial for the Senior Operations & Partnerships Manager position.
✨Emphasise Your Growth Mindset
During the interview, express your eagerness to innovate and push boundaries. Share examples of how you've spotted opportunities others missed and taken initiative to pursue them. This aligns perfectly with the company’s mission to instigate innovation and develop culture.