Sales Director

Informa Plc; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An international event organization is seeking a Senior Sales Director for Art Toronto. This role combines strategic sales expertise with content development responsibilities. The successful candidate will oversee exhibitor sales, sponsorships, and partnerships, contributing to the curatorial aspects of the event. Applicants should have over 7 years of sales leadership experience in art or cultural events, and a deep understanding of the contemporary art market. This position offers competitive pay with a salary range of CAD $90,000 - $120,000 based on experience.

Benefits

Community events

Career development opportunities

Comprehensive time off package

Wellbeing support

Recognition programs

Qualifications

• 7+ years of sales leadership experience in art or cultural events.
• Sophisticated understanding of the contemporary art landscape.
• Experience working with artists, collectors, and art industry professionals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies.
• Oversee communications and customer journey for exhibitors.
• Mentor and manage the sales team for collaborative success.

Skills

Sales leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Art, or Event Management

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Company Description

At Informa, no two days and no two people are the same, and you'll find the freedom, opportunity and support of a fantastic community to make a real impact.

We’re an international business that connects specialists with knowledge, helping them to learn more, know more and do more through live and on demand events, digital and data-driven services and academic research.

We are home to over 14,000 colleagues across 30 countries and are a member of the UK’s FTSE 100 group of leading public companies.

Job Description

About Us

Art Toronto is Canada’s premier art fair, serving as the cornerstone of the national art market for over 25 years. Held annually at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this internationally renowned event connects galleries, art institutions, private and corporate collectors, curators, artists, and the public for a weekend of inspiration and connection. As part of our leadership team, the Sales Director will play a pivotal role in driving exhibitor engagement, sales strategies, and content development to ensure the continued success of this iconic event.

Position Overview

The Sales Director for Art Toronto is a senior leadership role that combines strategic sales expertise with content development responsibilities. Reporting directly to the Show Director, this position will oversee exhibitor sales, sponsorships, and partnerships while contributing to the curatorial and programming aspects of the event. The ideal candidate will have a sophisticated understanding of the contemporary art landscape, a proven track record in sales leadership, and a passion for advancing Canada’s visual arts community.

Sales Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies to maximize exhibitor participation, retention, and revenue growth.
• Oversee end-to-end exhibitor communications, ensuring a seamless customer journey from initial contact to post-event follow-up.
• Identify and research potential exhibitors through market analysis and industry networking.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with gallerists, independent artists, and art industry stakeholders.
• Provide expert booth design consultation and onsite support for exhibitors during the event.
• Attend industry events, trade shows, and networking functions to generate new business opportunities.

Sponsorship & Partnership Development

• Identify new sponsorship opportunities and develop activation ideas to enhance exhibitor and attendee experiences.
• Build and maintain relationships with sponsors, ensuring all contractual obligations are met and activations are implemented effectively.
• Collaborate with the Show Director to assess sponsorship opportunities and strategic alliances.
• Manage onsite sponsor presence, including space allocation, design, technical services, and logistics.

Content Development & Programming

• Collaborate with the Show Director and curatorial team to contribute to the strategic vision and programming focus for Art Toronto.
• Assist in curating compelling and innovative content that aligns with contemporary art trends and market demands.
• Review and assess the effectiveness of previous programming, implementing improvements for future events.
• Support the development of VIP programs, including lounge design, networking events, and strategic alliances.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and manage the sales team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of exhibitor and sponsor requirements.
• Provide flexible support for additional organizational initiatives within a dynamic team environment.

Budget Oversight

• Manage sales budgets effectively, ensuring cost efficiency while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Monitor revenue targets and provide regular updates to the Show Director.

Qualifications

Experience & Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Art, Event Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Proven sales leadership experience (7+ years), preferably within art, cultural events, or related creative industries.
• Deep expertise in contemporary art practices and comprehensive understanding of the Canadian art market landscape.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with artists, gallerists, collectors, and art industry professionals.
• Strong knowledge of international art market trends, connections, and emerging opportunities.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities with proven sales success.
• Superior organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail and process management.
• Strategic thinking capabilities with strong analytical and creative problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in budgeting, scheduling, and project management tools.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate art enthusiast with a genuine love for contemporary visual arts and deep appreciation for artistic expression across diverse mediums.
• Cultural advocate with authentic commitment to fostering Canada’s creative ecosystem and supporting emerging and established artists.
• Results‑driven professional with entrepreneurial mindset and ability to balance commercial objectives with artistic integrity.

Collaborative team player with flexibility to support organizational needs and thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment

Additional Information

We believe that great things happen when people connect face‑to‑face. That's why we work in‑person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at an Informa event – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at LifeAt.Informa.com.

Benefits

• Great community: a welcoming culture with in‑person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active colleague groups and networks promoting a positive, supportive, and collaborative work environment
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on‑demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves
• Comprehensive time off package: 10 vacation days, 8 paid emergency days, 1 paid day to celebrate your birthday and up to 4 paid volunteering days
• Competitive benefits, including Share Match program
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, free access to a wellness app and more
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programs
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

Salary

The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $120,000 CAD based on experience.

Recruitment Status

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Company Culture

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you would like to request reasonable adjustments or accommodations to assist your participation in the hiring process and, or in the advertised position, please inform the appropriate Talent Acquisition Partner for the role once they have been in touch. Your request will be reviewed and considered in confidence. At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.

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