Events & Partnerships Manager

Sephora; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beauty company in London seeks an Events & Brand Partnerships Manager. The role involves planning grand opening events, cultivating partnerships, and driving brand awareness. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in the beauty or retail industry and a passion for cultural initiatives. This position offers a dynamic work environment focused on diversity and empowerment.

Benefits

Community and culture of empowerment

Opportunity for personal growth

Cultural initiatives support

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in event management, brand partnerships, or cultural marketing.
• Proven track record of high-profile event planning and execution.
• Strong understanding of cultural trends in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning and execution of store grand opening events.
• Develop comprehensive event plans and budgets.
• Identify and cultivate strategic cultural partnerships.

Skills

Event management

Cultural marketing

Negotiation

Relationship building

Attention to detail

Job description

At Sephora, beauty is about feeling seen, valued, and empowered, individually and collectively. It is connecting deeply with others, celebrating diversity and inclusivity, unlocking your potential and making a difference every day. Together, we belong to something beautiful.

We are seeking a dynamic and culturally attuned Events & Brand Partnerships Manager with strong events management experience to develop and produce high-impact advocacy events and strategic brand partnerships that drive awareness, embed us in the cultural zeitgeist, and fuel advocacy in the UK. The Events & Brand Partnerships Manager will be pivotal in crafting engaging, immersive experiences, project leading on Sephora UK’s grand opening moments for new store openings in the region and forging authentic connections with new & valuable audiences via strategic brand partnerships. Furthermore, a genuine passion for leveraging charity partnerships, DE&I initiatives, and a commitment to representing diverse voices and communities to drive the vision of Sephora’s purpose pillars will be integral to the candidate’s success in this role.

This role will primarily focus on ensuring flawless event execution from initial planning to post-event analysis, while also offering scope to identify and execute relevant co-branded sponsorships & partnerships broadly. The ideal candidate will be a creative visionary, a skilled negotiator, and a meticulous project manager with a deep understanding of beauty trends, cultural currents, and the power of influencer and advocacy marketing, all with a keen eye on contributing to Sephora's continued success in the UK.

You will excel and enjoy this position if you are ready to actively handle the following missions:

EVENTING:

• Lead on the planning, management, and execution of all Sephora store grand opening events across the UK, managing the production agency while ensuring alignment with global brand standards and localized for the UK consumer, collaborating closely with the Head of Brand, PR & Communications
• Oversee all logistical aspects of store openings, including vendor & agency management, venue selection (where relevant), catering, internal stakeholder management, security, and staffing, while adhering to UK regulations and best practices.
• Develop comprehensive event plans and budgets that support generating awareness and hype of the Sephora UK brand, aligned with brand guidelines and business objectives, contributing to the overall success of Sephora's UK expansion.
• Have a strong sense of production schedule, deliverables and feasibility. Be able to alert early & quickly when faced with roadblocks, and to be quick to provide alternative solutions.
• Develop and manage event budgets, tracking expenses and ensuring cost-effectiveness
• Develop strong event briefs, run pitches, select & work with the best event production partners
• Lead on cross-functional collaboration and information sharing to ensure all departments and counterparts are “in the loop”
• Support the PR & Communications & the Retail Brand Partnerships team on all PR and advocacy events with our retail brands, being the lead agency contact
• Work with the PR & Communications teams to develop events that maximise reach and EMV
• Coordinate event marketing and promotion efforts to maximize attendance and engagement.
• On-site management of events, ensuring smooth execution and positive attendee experiences.
• Exceptional attention to detail is paramount, ensuring flawless execution from initial planning to post-event analysis.

PARTNERSHIPS

• Identify, research, and cultivate strategic cultural marketing partnerships that resonate with the UK market and amplify Sephora's brand values.
• Manage Sephora UK’s two key charity partners and the end to end rrelationships, ensuring clear communication, alignment on goals, identifying synergistic periods and effective collaboration, .
• Develop and negotiate partnership agreements with like-minded brands and organizations that align with Sephora's commitment to beauty, diversity, and cultural relevance within the UK landscape.Actively seek out partnerships that support charitable causes and promote DE&I principles.
• Conceptualize and execute innovative campaigns thatleverage partnerships to drive brand awareness, generate buzz, and embed Sephora in the cultural conversation across the UK. Ensure that campaigns are inclusive and representative of diverse communities.
• Monitor UK cultural trends and identify emerging opportunities to position Sephora at the forefront of the beauty landscape
• Partner with the Integrated Marketing team to identify and capitalize on in-store activation opportunities involving talent & partnerships, enhancing the Sephora shopping experience for UK customers.

Do not hesitate to apply if you have… or if you are …

• Have at least 7-10 years of experience in event management, brand partnerships, or cultural marketing, ideally within the beauty or retail industry, with experience in the UK market preferred.
• Proven track record of successfully planning and executing high-profile events and impactful brand partnerships.
• Demonstrated passion for charity and DE&I initiatives, with a track record of incorporating these values into professional endeavors.
• A strong “black book” of contacts within the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle industries in the UK, as well as key event agencies, vendors, etc.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with a commitment to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of excellence.
• Deep understanding of cultural trends with a specific understanding of the UK consumer and market dynamics.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• A strong sense of aesthetics and creative skills.

Here, you will find:

• Community, in which authenticity is embraced, and the strength of our differences fuels our collective spirit.

• Culture of empowerment, learning & growth, that offers you the tools, space and opportunity to learn, innovate and lead

• Work that brings, fulfillment. From delighting clients every day, to inspiring our industry at large, every action makes a difference

Join us and belong to something beautiful.